Homeopathic treatment

[Anne-B]

I have been prescribed a homeopathic treatment by my GP called arsenicum album after going to see him about the pain I have in my arms and legs, which I think is due to me being under replaced with thyroxin following RAI.

I had no idea what this treatment was so decided to look it up. It says it's for treating those with anxiety, hypochondriasis, pessimism and need for reassurance.....oh and for some digestive disorders, which I don't have. I am a well balanced person but happen to be in pain on a daily basis, I am really offended that my doctor thinks I need this. They obviously have no idea how I am feeling and think I'm making it up!

Has anyone else ever been prescribed this 'remedy'?

[Clutter]

Anne-B,

You were undermedicated a month ago to have TSH 2.3. The goal of Levothyroxine is to restore the patient to euthyroid status. For most patients that will be when TSH is 0.4 - 1.0 with FT4 in the upper range. FT4 needs to be in the upper range in order that sufficient T3 is converted. Read Treatment Options in thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_... Email [e-mail] if you would like a copy of the Pulse article to show your GP.

[Anne-B in reply to Clutter]

Hi clutter

I have an appointment on 7 September at hospital to see an endocrinologist. I went to my GP before my appointment came through to see if he could do anything to make me feel better. I have only just picked up the prescription because the pharmacist had problems getting it. Anyway I'm not going to take it I don't see the point.

Hopefully hospital will be more proactive in making me feel better. My GP did agree that I was a bit under. Funny thing was knows Dr Tofts he used to work with him!

all the GP's I've seen make me feel like I'm wasting their time as I'm sure lots of people on this forum have been made to feel.

[Nanaedake]

That's crazy! I had pain for 7 years and no doctor could tell me what was causing it. Turned out to be terrible quality NHS prescribed Levothyroxine and then the side effect of medicines prescribed to counter the effects of extremely poor quality Levothyroxine which has since been withdrawn.

This sounds like a Dr strategy to avoid looking into your problems properly. Have you tried increasing your Levothyroxine and then if still unwell try swapping to a different Levothyroxine. I presume you've checked all your vitamin levels and are not taking any other meds that could cause side effects?

[Anne-B in reply to Nanaedake]

I've been on levothyroxin for 3 years and had pain on and off for about a year but the last 6 months or so have been in pain every day. Doctors haven't looked into it at all, one put I down to menopause which I accepted until I spoke to a friend who is hypothyroid, she recommended this forum.

I'm not taking any other medicines and have increased levothyroxin slightly for about 6 weeks now but don't feel any better I haven't had minerals checked, do you think hospital will do that or should I organise a private test?

[Nanaedake in reply to Anne-B]

Have you checked vitamin D, B12, folate and ferritin? NHS should check those, especially if you have pain. It could be low vitamin D. Do you have thyroid antibodies? Many people with Hashimotos thyroiditis are low in vitamin D and there is good research to evidence it. I don't know whether you could have mineral levels checked through the hospital as I've never tried. I just supplement a little selenium a few times a week. Seems to help. I don't think it's usual to have pain as a result of menopause. You could try changing your levothyroxine but it's more likely to be vitamin deficiencies.

[Anne-B in reply to Nanaedake]

I will ask for vitamin tests to be done, see what they say. I have just started taking selenium and zinc, sorry forgot about that.

I got a print of my blood results but doesn't look like I've been tested for vitamin d or b12. Only thyroid function tests done i.e. T4 and TSH

I had/have Graves disease but had RAI 3 years ago which caused hypothyroid.

[Nanaedake in reply to Anne-B]

Ok, well your vitamin levels might be low because you are now hypothyroid and people's stomach acid can be low as a result. This means vitamins may not be absorbed as they should. I think Graves disease also has antibodies so worth trying the selenium and zinc. Some people find magnesium is good for joint pain. There are different kinds of magnesium. Magnesium citrate is one kind and I prefer magnesium malate. Also take some vitamin C.

[Anne-B in reply to Nanaedake]

Thank you for your advice nanedake.

[Nanaedake in reply to Anne-B]

You're welcome, hope it helps.

[Anne-B in reply to Nanaedake]

It really helps, my GP makes me think I'm going mad! Thank you.

[Nanaedake in reply to Anne-B]

I know the feeling. You're not going mad and stick to your guns, eliminate reasons for your pain until you get the answer.

[Nanaedake in reply to Anne-B]

Interesting research on selenium to give to your GP.

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl...