Hi all, I have had hypothyroidism for 5 years and I’m on 25mcg of Levo it’s never been increased. My last blood test the doctor said my TSH was raised but didn’t increase my dose.
Anyway I keep having bouts of severe muscle aches and joint pain. It effects my legs, hips and upper back. It usually lasts a few days then improves for a week or so then comes back. Rest does not appear to improve the symptoms and I often wake up achy and stiff.
Has anyone else had this as a symptom of hypothyroidism? I’ve googled and fibromyalgia comes up as a possibility but I don’t have the 18 tender points used to diagnose this (maybe 1 or two).
Honestly I’m desperate for it not to be fibromyalgia as there is no cure. I had a very stressful year last year and I have a toddler that wakes multiple times during the night so I’m hoping it’s either stress, hypothyroidism or lack of sleep.
Any thoughts are appreciated.
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For most people: 50–100 micrograms once daily, preferably taken at least 30 minutes before breakfast, caffeine-containing liquids (such as coffee or tea), or other drugs.
* This should be adjusted in increments of 25–50 micrograms every 3–4 weeks according to response. The usual maintenance dose is 100–200 micrograms once daily.
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
Recommended on here that all thyroid blood tests should ideally be done as early as possible in morning and fasting. Last Levothyroxine dose should be 24 hours prior to test, (taking delayed dose 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 all vitamins
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 .
Unless you are very frail with a heart disease the initital dose is 50mcg of levo with a blood test every six weeks with increases of 25mcg until you are 'symptom-free'.
When optimally medicated we should have none and feel healthy and well.
The majority of doctors seem to have no idea about hypothyroidism at all and are unaware TSH should be 1 or lower but seem to think that a TSH up to 10 means we aren't hypo.
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