Radiated thyroid for Graves Disease

[marcia92146]

Has anyone suffered muscle pain and weakness from synthetic levothyroxine T4? When I don't take it I dont hurt but that's not an option, since I have no thyroid.

[shaws Administrator]

Yes - I did and my thyroid gland was not removed. Any movement I did caused pain. I am fine now as I have read, learned and now know what's best for me and I am symptom-free.

First, I would ask doctor to test, TSH, T3, T4, Free T4, Free T4. These give a better picture as doctors are directed that TSH and T4 are sufficient. They may not be if patient is suffering.

First, all blood tests have to be at the very earliest, fasting (you can drink water) and allow a gap of 24 hours between your last dose and the test and take it afterwards. This gives us the best result, i.e. TSH will be higher as that's all the professionals appear to take notice of. Levo should be taken first thing with one full glass of water and wait about an hour before eating. Food can interfere with the uptake of thyroid hormones.

GP should test B12, Vit D, iron, ferritin and folate as everything has to be optimum.

My personal opinion, and I have a thyroid gland, is that the patient should have a combination of T4/T3 if they have no thyroid gland and the doctor should test your Free T4 and Free T3 - they or lab may not but you can have these privately from one of our private labs (I will give you a link). The are home pin-prick tests.

Levothyroxine is T4 only - T4 has to convert to T3. T3 (liothyronine) is the only Active thyroid hormone and the driving force for our whole body as it raises our metabolism.

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/testin...

If GP tells you he can no longer prescribe T3 you can buy your own but really, the NHS should provide T3 for you as you have a clinical need having no thyroid gland.

Always get a print-out of your results with the ranges and post if you have a query.

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_...

[SlowDragon Administrator]

If you post your thyroid and vitamin results members can advise.

Important to know FT3 as well as FT4. Also check if Thyroid antibodies are still raised. Very common to have low vitamin levels

If GP unhelpful then private tests are available

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/testin...

Medichecks Thyroid plus ultra vitamin or Blue Horizon Thyroid plus eleven are the most popular choice. DIY finger prick test or option to pay extra for private blood draw. Both companies often have money off offers.

All thyroid tests should be done as early as possible in morning and fasting and don't take Levo in the 24 hours prior to test, delay and take straight after.

You might also want to consider DIO2 gene test. It's a common variation and if positive may help get you T3 on NHS

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/testin...

If antibodies are still high you need to consider gluten may be causing issues

amymyersmd.com/2017/02/3-im...

chriskresser.com/the-gluten...