Feeling Cold with joint pain: On Eltroxin past 2... - Thyroid UK

Thyroid UK

141,244 members166,493 posts

Feeling Cold with joint pain

healthymarge profile image
9 Replies

On Eltroxin past 25 years. Recently feeling very cold with joint pains and heavy feeling in my legs and occasional sweats. Last bloods taken in November. Free T4 19.2 Free T3 4.22 TSH 1.93.Cholesterol 6.5* GFR 89*. Vit B12 419. Age 66. Any advice welcome.

Written by
healthymarge profile image
healthymarge
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Read more about...
9 Replies
jamesal0 profile image
jamesal0

Hi healthymarge. I know I sound like a broken record but you need to be on NDT, it contains at least 3 and maybe 5 different types of thyroid you need to be healthly and feel ok. Others will rant about availability, cost, dosage, finding a GP who will write a script, trouble with dosages but really it's your only life and if you want anything approaching normality it has to be NDT.

J

helvella profile image
helvellaAdministrator in reply tojamesal0

A one-size-fits-all "solution" that would be as detrimental to some as levothyroxine monotherapy is to others. Let us not fall into a doctrine that is not justified by patients. We have a number here who cannot tolerate desiccated thyroid.

Also, please explain what NDT stands for the first time you mention it. (Natural Desiccated Thyroid)

healthymarge profile image
healthymarge in reply tojamesal0

Thanks for reply. I have looked into getting NDT but it seems hard to get at the moment from the main supplier. Reluctant to start if not readily available. Some people in Ireland are panicking and driving all over the country looking for it!

helvella profile image
helvellaAdministrator in reply tohealthymarge

There are issues with Nature-Throid and WP Thyroid. mI thought the rest were fairly available- by mail order/internet?

jimh111 profile image
jimh111

Were you OK over the past 25 years? Whilst some patients seem to need NDT it is a minority. How long have you been feeling cold with joint pains? If just a matter of weeks it could be an infection. If longer then it would be worthwhile consulting your GP to rule out other conditions.

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator

For full evaluation you ideally need TSH, FT4, FT3, TT4, TPO and TG antibodies, plus vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 tested

You may be poor converter to FT3 and/or low vitamin levels

If you have high antibodies this is Hashimoto's also called autoimmune thyroid disease

Are you in UK?

See if you can get full thyroid and vitamin testing from GP. Unlikely to get FT3

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. This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results

Link about antibodies

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

Link about thyroid blood tests

thyroiduk.org/tuk/testing/t...

List of hypothyroid symptoms

thyroiduk.org/tuk/about_the...

healthymarge profile image
healthymarge

Now my TSH is 0.26. Gp wants me to reduce Levo from 100 to 75. Free T4 12.7. Lab won't do T3. Have palpitations and skipped heartbeats so referred me to cardiologist! So confused!😯

jimh111 profile image
jimh111 in reply tohealthymarge

Should do fT3 because it's possible the low TSH (0.26) is because your thyroid is flaring up and secreting extra T3. Also possible your TSH is just too low for your fT3, fT4. Only way to tell is to measure fT3. fT3 is also important from a heart point of view.

healthymarge profile image
healthymarge in reply tojimh111

Thanks for reply. Free T3 was 4.22 (3.10-6.80) last October and Free T4 19.2 (8.5-22.0) in October. Free T4 now 12.7. Lab did not do Free T3 this time.

Not what you're looking for?

You may also like...

joint pain

Just wondering if joint pain in both elbows and back pain could be down to Levo levels not being...
peartree profile image

Joint pain

Just wondering if there are many other hashi sufferers out there like me who get joint pain and...
hw7342 profile image

Joint pain

Hi all , so pleased to have found this site as I realise how undereducated I am about my condition...
fredasuget1 profile image

Cold feeling

Hi Everyone, I'm new here and this is my first post. I have been started on 50mcg levothyroxine...
birthday1 profile image

feeling cold

I was diagnosed thyroid 3 years a go have got it pretty well under control as last blood tests...
mirabelle profile image

Moderation team

See all
helvella profile image
helvellaAdministrator
RedApple profile image
RedAppleAdministrator
PurpleNails profile image
PurpleNailsAdministrator

Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.

Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.