Arthritis

[Wicks50]

Hypothyroidism. Levels normal now. Taking 75mg levothyroxine. Now I am experiencing arthritis symptoms in hands shoulder and hips. Should I go back to the doctor?

[SlowDragon Administrator]

More likely you need dose increase in Levothyroxine

You have been on 75mcg dose of Levothyroxine for over three months

Have you had bloods retested recently?

Ask Gp to test thyroid - TSH, FT3 and FT4 plus both TPO and TG thyroid antibodies

Can't see that you have ever had any vitamin D test. Extremely common for vitamin D to be very low

Also need retesting of folate, B12 and ferritin

For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4 and FT3 plus both TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested. Also extremely important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12

Low vitamin levels are extremely common, especially if Thyroid antibodies are raised

All thyroid blood tests should ideally be done as early as possible in morning and fasting. Do not take Levothyroxine dose in the 24 hours prior to test, delay and take immediately after blood draw. This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip, best not mentioned to GP or phlebotomist)

Private tests are available. Thousands on here forced to do this as NHS often refuses to test FT3 or antibodies 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 special offers, Medichecks usually have offers on Thursdays, Blue Horizon its more random

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 very common too, especially gluten. So it's important to get TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested at least once .

Gluten intolerance often causes arthritis type symptoms

Link about thyroid blood tests

thyroiduk.org/tuk/testing/t...

Link about antibodies and Hashimoto's

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_...

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_...

List of hypothyroid symptoms

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_...

[SlowDragon Administrator]

When your GP says levels are normal, they mean the result is within range

But on Levothyroxine we need TSH under 1.5 and FT4 in top third of range. Not just somewhere within range (0.2-5)

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.

Come back with new post once you get results and ranges

Plus get vitamins tested

[Wicks50 in reply to SlowDragon]

I will do thank you

[Wicks50 in reply to Wicks50]

Do you think I should ask to be referred to an endocrinologists?

[Rudy1 in reply to Wicks50]

Personally I would wait to see how your vitamin levels come on out.

I had the same pain and it was because my vitamin d levels are low.

I saw an endocrinologist and a rheumatologist and neither one figured that out. I figured it out when I went to California for a week and had zero pain. It was the sun! I started to have pain in the Fall agin because of no sun. Wait until you get your results. Good Luck

[klr31]

Get your vitamin D, B12, ferritin and folate checked.

Karen