Plantar fasciitis and joint pain is it levothroxne

[Sausage12]

Since I have been diagnosed with an underactive thyroid and went on the medication levothroxne I seem to come down with plantar fasciitis and a lot of joint pain and many headaches and as I suffer with migraines this is horrible I started off with 25mg and I'm now up to 100 mg the doctors don't seem to think that the plantar fasciitis is anything to do with the medication the last time I went back for blood tests they said my T4 was in range but I was still fairly low so they put me up to the 100 mg I go back for a blood test on the 21st of November and I will see what that shows but I actually feel worse now than what I did before I went on the medication I feel really tired it's an effort to do anything and with the plantar fasciitis makes it 10 times worse pain is awful I work in a petrol station which means I'm stood on my feet for at least 4 hours a day I go to sit down at times but more often than not I'm on my feet .does anybody know whether it's possible that the medication could cause the plantar fasciitis as I've never had a problem with my feet and I've been working for 19 years on my feet but as soon as I went on the medication that's when the plantar fasciitis started as well.with my thyroid I feel like that I'm walking through sludge all the time even though I'm on 100 mg and the doctors don't seem to take a lot of interest and I see a different docter every time I'm just hoping the next time I go ,I'll get the doctor that listens. I read a lot of different posts on here and the information is really scary I thought I would just take a pill I would lose weight and everything would be ok but it's far from it I can't lose weight in fact I'm sure I put a bit more on as well and everything has gone from bad to worse since I've been on the medication but when you tell the doctor's this they go should we be looking for something else .

[deb25426]

How long have you been on thyroxine? It maybe that you’re not at your optimum dose yet. I had all your symptoms before I started with my thyroid journey. When you book your next appointment ask to see the best doctor in surgery and tell him/her all your worries. Xx

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Plantar fasciitis is common problem when hypothyroid

Can be low vitamin D, or low FT3

You will need full Thyroid and vitamin testing 6-8 weeks after each dose increase

Can you add your most recent results and ranges for TSH, FT4 and FT3 at last test

Do you know if you have Hashimoto's also called autoimmune thyroid disease, diagnosed by high thyroid antibodies. Low vitamins are extremely common especially with Hashimoto's

if you have had vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 tested add these results and ranges too

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 primary hypothyroidism in Uk is due to Hashimoto's

Link to other posts about plantar fasciitis

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

[Sausage12 in reply to SlowDragon]

Thank you very much for replying.The last time I went to the doctor's was about 3 months ago and she didn't tell me any of the Ranges apart from apparently I was a 16 I'm down to 11 but I should be about a 5 she didn't really explain any more than that and put me up to 100 Megs told me to come for a blood test 3 to 4 months time so didn't really explain anything properly and when I asked her questions about my iron she was very vague said that you could do with eating a bit more broccoli basicallyI don't go back until the 21st of November for my blood test and a week later to see the doctor so I will ask her for all of those things that you have mentioned and hopefully find out a bit more for the reason what I am and why I'm feeling the way that I do. Then I will post them hopefully if the doctor tells me everything I need to know.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Sausage12]

Far too common for GP to only test TSH and FT4 which is totally inadequate

Suggest you get copies of last blood test results ASAP and come back with new post with results

If vitamins are low which is EXTREMELY common, you can help yourself by supplementing. Or if extremely low GP should prescribe,

But essential to test FIRST and only supplement what is needed, never use a multivitamin

You are legally entitled to printed copies of your blood test results and ranges.

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 no longer charge for printing out, rules changed after May 25th 2018

Sounds like your ferritin was far too low. If GP muttering about broccoli.

Hypothyroid patients often have poor gut function due to low stomach acid and very low vitamin levels are extremely common......but GP very likely unaware of gut and thyroid connection

[Sausage12 in reply to SlowDragon]

Hi slowdragon

I managed to get a copy of my last blood test the only thing that was tested is T4 level which is 15.5 pmol/L

[ 11.0 - 23.0]

TSH level 11.3 mu/L [0.27 - 4.5]

and serum thyroid peroxidase antibody concentration >600 lu/mL [< 34.0]. And I go back on the 21st of November for my next blood test.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Sausage12]

On Levothyroxine the aim is for dose to be increased slowly in 25mcg steps until TSH is around one

So you are EXTREMELY under medicated

Bloods should be retested after 6-8 weeks, not 3 months

Your antibodies are very high and this confirms the cause of being hypothyroid is autoimmune thyroid disease also called Hashimoto's

Low vitamin levels are extremely common with Hashimoto's

See GP and ask for vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 to be tested along with coeliac blood test

Hashimoto's affects the gut and leads to low stomach acid and then low vitamin levels

Low vitamin levels affect Thyroid hormone working

Poor gut function can lead leaky gut (literally holes in gut wall) this can cause food intolerances. Most common by far is gluten.

According to Izabella Wentz the Thyroid Pharmacist approx 5% with Hashimoto's are coeliac, but over 80% find gluten free diet helps, sometimes significantly. Either due to direct gluten intolerance (no test available) or due to leaky gut and gluten causing molecular mimicry (see Amy Myers link)

Changing to a strictly gluten free diet may help reduce symptoms, help gut heal and slowly lower TPO antibodies

amymyersmd.com/2017/02/3-im...

chriskresser.com/the-gluten...

thyroidpharmacist.com/artic...

scdlifestyle.com/2014/08/th...

drknews.com/changing-your-d...

thyroidpharmacist.com/artic...

But don't be surprised that GP never mentions gut, gluten or low vitamins. Hashimoto's gut connection is very poorly understood

Always take Levo on empty stomach and then nothing apart from water for at least an hour after.

Many take early morning, on waking, but it may be more convenient and possibly more effective taken at bedtime.

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

Other medication at least 2 hours away, some like HRT, iron, calcium, vitamin D or magnesium at least four hours away from Levothyroxine

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 or at repeat prescription.

Many patients do NOT get on well with Teva brand of Levothyroxine. Though it is the only one for lactose intolerant patients

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)

Official NHS guidelines saying TSH should be between 0.2 and 2.0 when on Levothyroxine

(Many of us need TSH nearer 0.2 than 2.0 to feel well)

See box

Thyroxine replacement in primary hypothyroidism

pathology.leedsth.nhs.uk/pa...

[humanbean in reply to Sausage12]

apparently I was a 16 I'm down to 11 but I should be about a 5

...

I managed to get a copy of my last blood test the only thing that was tested is T4 level which is 15.5 pmol/L

[ 11.0 - 23.0]

TSH level 11.3 mu/L [0.27 - 4.5]

If your doctor thinks that a TSH of 5 (which is over the reference range!) is healthy she is very, very wrong. It isn't remotely close to the median TSH in healthy people. See this link for further info on the TSH of healthy people :

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

I wrote that post with an emphasis on the problems of elderly people getting thyroid treatment, but the information provided applies to adults of all ages.

[KittyAO]

Hi Sausage12

Have you been prescribed the levothyroxine brand Teva? They gave me headaches, something I rarely had previously.

This forum is really great for giving good advice - its the only way I started to feel better, its a journey though so I wish you better health in the future.

[Sausage12 in reply to KittyAO]

Hi kittyAO

Thanks my brand is Almus and also been on Mercurypharma.

[Breena]

Hi Sausage 12

I can understand your feelings I am suffering the same symptoms plus a few I have been on levo for 20 plus yrs I have upped my vits to good levels but no relief as yet.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Breena]

Breena

Are you on strictly gluten free diet?

It's often essential

Suggest you put a post up of your own with latest results and ranges

[Breena in reply to SlowDragon]

My last set of tests I posted in sept

[Ellie-Louise]

Orthotic insoles will help. But buy a good pair.

[Hidden]

I say YES it does...however Endos will tell you no it doesn't and it's just a coincidence. Sorry I'm not buying it I'm like you on my feet all the time never had issues until I started synthyroid and I've been crippled ever since even though I'm no longer on it ....the damage is done in my opinion and they say you gotta lose weight....NO KIDDING CAPTAIN OBVIOUS hard to exercise when you legs/feet are in hideous pain.

I'm sorry your hurting and I have no solutions if you come across one please pass it on.

[Sausage12 in reply to Hidden]

Hi canyouhearthat

Oh my god I really do feel your pain .you're right you can't exercise because the pain is so extreme I was thinking of coming off it to see what would happen with my feet but I thought myself that probably the damage has already been done now that you have confirmed it ,it would make no difference I would just like to feel normal again. I will see what they say when I go back end of November for blood test and hope I get a good doctor this time. And if I find a solution I will be sure to post it to you .x

[humanbean]

I used to have plantar fasciitis before I got my nutrients and Free T3 up higher than they were. You must have very low Free T3 with a TSH of 11. Make sure that you get re-tested every 6 weeks and get your dose of Levo increased by 25mcg after every test until your TSH is around 1 or lower. Then you should get Free T3 and Free T4 tested together - although you will almost certainly have to get this tested privately.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Yes I had terrible plantar fasciitis until vitamins optimal, strictly gluten free and small dose of T3 added

[KT77 in reply to SlowDragon]

Me too. My feet were killing me. Couldn't stand on them for longer than few minutes. Gone on thyroid medication. Also in my experience iron (or lack of it) plays a massive role for this condition and general muscle and body ache. And vitamin D too.