Joint pain & low tsh

[cazbatt]

I've recently had bloods done due to query rheumatoid arthritis as morning joint pain and stiffness in both knees & test came back 'normal no action' @

<1 (0.00-10.00) Anti-CCP antibodies

However, Had thyroid test too, which I asked for, which came back as

TSH 0.11 mu/L (0.35-4.94)

Serum Free T4 11.9

And again 'normal - no action)

My question is has anyone with similar thyroid levels experience joint stiffness at all? Doctor thinks it's mechanical but I've had it for several months now, especially first thing in morning.

Thanks for any replies x

Oh - I'm not or never have been on any thyroid medication.

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Cazbatt

What's the reference range for FT4? We can't interpret the result without it.

[cazbatt in reply to SeasideSusie]

Yes sorry it's 9.00-19.00pmol/L

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to cazbatt]

Cazbatt

TSH: 0.11 mu/L (0.35-4.94)

FT4: 11.9 (9.00-19.00)

Well, your thyroid results are classed as euthyroid (normal) although your FT4 is quite low in range for such a low TSH. If you have symptoms of hypothyroidism then I would suggest looking at Central Hypothyroidism which is where the problem lies with the pituitary (Secondary Hypothyroidism) or the hypothalamus (Tertiary Hypothyroidism). Both of those are characterised by low levels of thyroid hormone (FT4/FT3) but TSH can be low, normal or slightly elevated. If you're not experiencing any signs of hypothyroidism then those could very well just be your normal levels.

Signs and symptoms of hypothyroidism

thyroiduk.org/tuk/about_the...

As for your joint pain have you had Vit D tested? If not then ask for it to be done or do it privately with a home fingerprick blood spot test with City Assays (NHS City Hospital in Birmingham who do this test for the general public)

vitamindtest.org.uk/

I used to get up in the morning and it was as though my ankles were welded, no pain, just the stiffness. I had to shuffle along until they eased up. My Vit D test showed severe deficiency.

[cazbatt]

Thanks very much for your help with this. I don't particularly have signs of hypothyroid although I could select a few symptoms from time to time from the list in the link you attach.

Is it typical for results to fluctuate as my thyroid results are different to 12 months ago as they were:

TSH 3.70 (.45-4.5)

T4 10.34 (4.87-11.72)

T3 (70-204)

My vitamin D3 level is very good as I supplement with D3 -

140.5 nmol/L (>50.00nmol/L)

so I'm quite happy with that.

Just wanted to rule out possible thyroid connection to knee stiffness (on waking and throughout the day/after sitting)

I'll look into your suggestions though thanks very much for your time I really appreciate it.

Many thanks x

My vit d lee

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to cazbatt]

cazbatt

Yes, thyroid levels can fluctuate. They do fluctuate naturally during the day.

To compare results accurately, tests need to be done under the same conditions every time. We always advise having blood drawn as early as possible, no later than 9am, and to fast overnight although you can drink water.

Your T3 reference range looks like it's a Total T3 test, although you haven't put a result, but Total T3 is pretty useless anyway, we need Free T3.

T4 10.34 (4.87-11.72) - is that Total T4 or Free T4? It's a very strange range whichever it is. Can you double check and clarify? It's unusual to have a high in range TSH plus a high in range FT4.

Have you ever had thyroid antibodies checked - Thyroid Peroxidase (TPO) and Thyroglobulin (TG). If antibodies are raised this is autoimmune thyroid disease aka Hashimoto's and this is a cause of results fluctuating, also you can get hypo symptoms and hyper-type symptoms with Hashi's.

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to cazbatt]

PS - just a thought about your D3 supplement. Do you also take magnesium and Vit K2-MK7 - important cofactors when taking D3.

Magnesium helps the body to use D3.

D3 aids absorption of calcium from food and K2-MK7 directs the calcium to bones and teeth where it is needed and away from arteries and soft tissues where it can be deposited and cause problems.

[cazbatt]

Both T3 and T4 were total & TSH (ultra sensitive)

The test was done in India (I paid £4 for it to be done!)

I've never had thyroid

antibodies checked & cant see my doc agreeing to it, is there a private clinic or postal service I could use for this do you know please? Thanks

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Cazbatt

Yes, there are 2 companies that are used by many members here.

For a full thyroid panel

TSH

FT4

FT3

TPO antibodies

TG antibodies

medichecks.com/thyroid-func... (try code MED70 for £10 off)

bluehorizonmedicals.co.uk/t...

And if you haven't had all the important vitamins and minerals tested

Vit D

B12

Folate

Ferritin

Then they both do a thyroid/vitamin bundle

medichecks.com/thyroid-func... (excellent value with £20 off as I write this)

bluehorizonmedicals.co.uk/t...

All can be done with a fingerprick test if you think you can manage it, or venous blood draw if you prefer but at extra cost if your GP or local hospital won't draw the blood for you.

[cazbatt in reply to SeasideSusie]

Thanks so much for the info- I will definitely put this at the top of my 'to do' list

Best wishes and thanks again 👍

I don't take k2/magnesium so will check this too x

[Beachytoes2u]

I had joint pain with pre & post menopause, could this Be? My answer was testing, then, hormone replacement w progesterone, with supplements. Maybe? I know, aching knees are awful you loose all interest! Find a answer, it's there🌝

[cazbatt in reply to Beachytoes2u]

Hi thanks for this - I am peri menopause so this is a possibility- my doc doesn’t test for hormones 😮

I may need to find another private outlet to do some tests. What a ridiculous situation we find ourselves in - looking to private outlets.

Thanks very much x

[palmettogrl]

This is how I got diagnosed with Hypothyroidism. I went in for joint pain and they tested me for Rheumatoid and did bloodwork and my TSH was like 7. The doctor said the joint pain could be caused by hypothyroidism. Your TSH looks low. Could this be secondary Hypo? Another thought: I have a relative with Celiac and it causes joint symptoms too. Basically, causes inflammation in the body.

[cazbatt]

Hi I’m in no doubt that I have inflammation going on - it’s finding the route cause I’m struggling with & trying not to self diagnose is difficult - hence this forum is invaluable thank you, I’ll look in to celiac too x