Muscle fatigue

[Lisasue87]

Hi everyone

I was diagnosed in November with hypothyroidism. Levels very bad at the time. Currently on 75mg levothyroxine and my last blood test showed levels in the ‘normal range’. I was initially tested because I had muscle fatigue. This isn’t getting any better, probably worse actually. I struggle to do simple things like hang the washing out, cut up my children tea, brush my teeth, write for long periods of time, blow dry my hair etc. It feels like I’ve been at the gym after just a short period of time. Is this a normal part or hypothyroidism? Should I get checked for other things? I know my TSH was at the higher end of normal so could it be that it need to be lower before I feel better?

Thrhanks for reading

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Lisasue

We need to see your test results, with their reference ranges, to be able to comment. But we can say that TSH at the upper end of the range will mean you are undermedicated, TSH should generally be around 1 or below for a treated hypo patient if that is where they feel best.

Ideally we need to see

TSH

FT4

FT3

Thyroid antibodies

Vit D

B12

Folate

Ferritin

Optimal vitamin and mineral levels are needed for thyroid hormone to work so if not already tested I would get those done.

[Aurealis]

Yes it’s possible that you could feel better with increased medication. Why not ask for a trial on a higher dose?

[ShootingStars]

Hi Lisasue87, if you still feel awful and have symptoms, then no, your levels are not "normal", nor are they optimized. When in the right zone of the lab range, you will feel like a new person. If your TSH is in the higher end of the range, this is much too high. When on the right medication and your FT3 and FT4 are optimal (T3 and T4 are your actual thyroid hormones, TSH is not one), your TSH will be suppressed. It should be under 1.0 when on medication, but even under .5 is very common for people who feel great. The reason is: when TSH is low, FT3 and FT4 levels are up at or near optimal, which is where people report the least symptoms.

Very important: were your thyroid antibodies tested? They are called TPOab and TGab. These need to be tested to determine if the cause of your hypothyroidism is or is not autoimmune thyroid disease. If you have high antibodies (means you have Hashimoto's), this can cause all sorts of symptoms, including but not limited to muscle fatigue.

If you can post your lab results and ranges, someone can help you interpret exactly how off you are from optimal.