Aching legs

[Kev78]

Hi, I had a thyroidectomy a couple weeks ago and after feeling totally awful for a few days afterwards I’m feeling a lot better now however I’m having problems with my legs now my calves are swelling and my lower legs are really aching a lot I’ve been to gp and they can’t find any issues after dvt was suspected has anyone else had these problems with their legs after a thyroid op? Thanks

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Essential to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12

Low vitamin levels are extremely common when on Levothyroxine

How much Levo are you currently on? You will need bloods retested in 6-8 weeks to check if on adequate amount

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. (Patient to patient tip, GP will be unaware)

Always take Levo on empty stomach and then nothing apart from water for at least an hour after. Many take on waking, but it may be more convenient and possibly more effective taken at bedtime

verywell.com/should-i-take-...

Many people find Levothyroxine brands are not interchangeable. Once you find a brand that suits you, best to make sure to only get that one at each prescription. Watch out for brand change when dose is increased

What brand of Levothyroxine are you taking? Many many patients do not get on well with Teva brand, best to start on any other brand than that one (unless lactose intolerant)

[Kev78 in reply to SlowDragon]

I was started on 150mcg 2 weeks ago, i had blood tests the other day at docs and they said calcium was fine and blood test were ok but couldn’t test th levels or anything as it takes a few weeks for body to adjust to not having a thyroid. I have been taking tablets as you said on a morning as soon as I wake up and not been eating for 2 hours afterwards

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Kev78]

What brand of Levothyroxine are you taking?

Always make sure you get same brand at each prescription

You could still ask GP to test vitamin levels, especially vitamin D

Or private testing of vitamin D via NHS postal kit £29

vitamindtest.org.uk

Would recommend full private testing after 8 weeks on 150mcg. NHS rarely tests FT3

For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4, TT4, FT3 plus TPO and TG thyroid antibodies and also very important to test 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 vitamins

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.

[Kev78 in reply to SlowDragon]

The 100mcg tablets are actavis and the 50mcg tablets are almus

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Kev78]

Activis and Almus are actually the same company and identical 😀

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/treatm...

[jls1409]

I had the aching really bad, but not swelling. My problem was a drop in calcium. I started 3 cheeabkes a day and now down to 2. If I forget one i start aching within hours.

Hope that helps.