Levo advice again!

[activelazy]

From 25 MCG, I moved to 50 MCG in June 2017. Things seemed to improve. I had less nervousness than before. My blood tests on 3rd Aug are:

Tsh 1.4 (0.3-4.5)

FT3 5.4 (3.1-6.8)

FT4 20.1 (11-22)

I increased my dose to 75 mcg 2 weeks ago. Since yesterday, I have had some pain and swelling at the base of my right hand thumb. I have never had any swelling during the entire 2 years of my illness. Any new symptom gives me anxiety. So, I am anxious as well.

Do you think swelling could be due to levo overdose. Is this common?

Shall I wait and watch few more days. If I go to doctor for showing my hand, she will say apply ibuprofen gel, etc.

I am currently taking 75 mcg levo, vit d, k2, recently started 200 mg magnesium???, I am very confused and anxious.

I am going through a lot of stress with my legs for nearly 2 years I have to say. I have spiking spines on my shin bones (bone spurs) inside the knee joints. This prevents me from bending my legs. This loss of partial mobility is my biggest stress in life. Doctors don't take any interest in rectifying this. Anyhow, this stress is adding to my anxiety on a daily basis.

Whenever I am anxious, I do think also if I am going over with my levo, because anxiety is a common symptom of levo too. Because my levo is not GP prescribed but a trial of levo given on my repeated requests, I do worry.

Please help.

[Clutter]

ActiveLazy,

You looked to be optimally dosed on 50mcg with FT4 high in range. 75mcg will probably send FT4 over range which is okay as long as FT3 remains within range. Retest 6-8 weeks after increasing to 75mcg. If anxiety increases on the higher dose you could reduce dose to 50mcg/75mcg alternate days and see how that feels.

I very much doubt that the swelling is related to increasing Levothyroxine dose. I would think it more likely is due to injury or perhaps rheumatoid arthritis. Your pharmacist will be able to advise whether ibuprofen gel is suitable if you are not confident in trying it without advice.

[activelazy in reply to Clutter]

Thank you Clutter. I will make an appointment again to get tested for RA or anything causing this swelling and pain. My RA factor was negative last year. But who knows. Thank you.

[Nanaedake in reply to activelazy]

Pain at Base of thumb could be osteoarthritis. What has doc said?

[activelazy in reply to Nanaedake]

I have had pain in my hands (front) for about 1.5 years. It was/is sharp pain thought to be associated with b12 deficiency. Mostly in palms but I have had in fingers too and base of thumbs too. Right hand has always been worse. However, never had swelling. For the first time I am struggling to move it or grip things tightly. Slight trouble in driving also I felt.

It has been 3 days now. It being a weekend, I will make an appointment tomorrow (obviously doesn't mean I will be seen tomorrow).

I would prefer osteoarthritis to rhemotid arthritis. But beggars can't be choosers.

Thank you for your reply.