Aching legs

[Terlox]

I have had my dose of levothyroxine reduced, and since my leg muscles and joints ache, is this normal? What does it mean?

[greygoose]

Why was your dose reduced?

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Terlox

Possibly you are now undermedicated and becoming symptomatic. If you post your test results that prompted the reduction on dose members will comment. Please include the reference ranges as they vary from lab to lab and we need the ranges from your lab to interpret your results.

Ideally we need to see

TSH

FT4

FT3

Thyroid antibodies

Vit D

B12

Folate

Ferritin

[SlowDragon Administrator]

First thing is, do you have any actual blood test results? if not will need to get hold of copies. You are legally entitled to printed copies of your blood test results

UK GP practices are supposed to offer online access for blood test results. Ring and ask if this is available and apply to do so if possible, if it is you may need enhanced access to see blood results.

In reality many GP surgeries do not have blood test results online yet

Alternatively ring receptionist and request printed copies of results. Allow couple of days and then go and pick up. They can make nominal charge for printing but many will do so for free (£10 max and can not charge at all after May 25th 2018)

How much Levothyroxine are you taking and how much was dose reduced

Can you add most recent results and ranges for TSH, FT3 and FT4, plus have you also had thyroid antibodies tested

Also very helpful if had vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 tested. Add results and ranges if you have them

Dose should not be adjusted by only looking at TSH or TSH and FT4. FT3 needs testing and vitamin levels too

You will need bloods retested after 6-8 weeks to check levels

How long since dose reduced?

For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4, TT4, FT3 plus TPO and TG thyroid antibodies (if antibodies not been tested ever before) .

Plus vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12.

Private tests are available. Thousands on here forced to do this as NHS often refuses to test FT3 or antibodies

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 ideally be done as early as possible in morning and fasting. If on Levothyroxine, don't take in the 24 hours prior to test, delay and take straight after. This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip, GP will be unaware)

If antibodies are high this is Hashimoto's, (also known by medics here in UK more commonly as autoimmune thyroid disease).

About 90% of all hypothyroidism in Uk is due to Hashimoto's. Low vitamins are especially common with Hashimoto's. Food intolerances are common too, especially gluten. So it's important to get antibodies tested.

[Terlox in reply to SlowDragon]

thanks, I had graves,but got radioiodine treatment, my dose was 225mg of levothyroxine, only reduced to 200mg two weeks ago after a thyroid review, but this last week ive started feeling the aches in the legs.and that is tge only thing that has changed.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Terlox]

Getting full testing after 8 weeks on new dose advisable

You could/should check vitamin levels now though