Ive been underactive for 18 years now, taking Levothyroxine and Liothrine. I think my meds are spot on. But Ive been feeling exausted, I have osteoarthritis and my knees are shot!
Terrible pains in my leg bones, so much so its keeping me awake at night, been taking Vitamin D3 for a couple of days, going to see the dr. in a coupe of days. Any advice please.
You need to make an appointment to have a Full Blood Test (GP wont do all but those he hasn't you can get privately from a recommended lab. These are home finger pin-prick tests and make sure you are well-hydrated if you decide to go down this route. At least you'll get all of the ones the GP wont do.
Blood draw is at the earliest possible, fasting (you can drink water) and allow a gap of 24 hours between last dose of levo and test and take afterwards.
If GP wont do all there are private labs that will do all of them and make sure you are well-hydrated a couple of days before blood draw. I shall give a link for the labs - you draw the blood and send off to them for testing.
thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/testin...
You need TSH, T4, T3, Free T4, Free T3 and thyroid antibodies.
Home finger prick tests are about as useful as a chocolate kettle. ANY contamination on your skin will sully the results.
Pay your money, get a proper blood work done privately. There's plenty of places around the UK. Price isn't that bad, considering it's health related.
But let's not forget, blood results and clinical symptoms can be very mutually exclusive.
The private labs we use can also recommend where blood can be drawn if the person isn't able to . However, this past post might be informative.
How low was vitamin D?
What dose has GP prescribed?
It takes several months for vitamin D levels to recover.
Local CCG guidelines on Minimum dose required
clinox.info/clinical-suppor...
Frequently GP doesn't prescribe high enough dose
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)
If/when also on T3, make sure to take last dose 8-12 hours prior to test
Is this how you do your tests?
what were last TSH, FT4 and FT3 results and ranges?
Private tests are available. Thousands on here forced to do this as NHS often refuses to test FT3 or antibodies or all 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
I remember the misery of constant joint, bone and muscle pain, mine was my hips, knees and ankles. Mine has mostly gone and only comes back when i crash or have really overdone things. I take nu u nutrition high dose vit D, Organic Turmeric Curcumin, Omega 3 Fish Oil and Vitamin B12 Methylcobalamin.
I also upped my T3. It has helped me get moving again i now do moderate exercise every day, I could hardly walk to begin with, the pain was so bad. I was prepared to try anything, my dr could only give pain killers and tbh they only took the edge off, didnt actually stop the pain unless i took enough to knock me out to sleep. I dont know if it is one of those changes or all together that did the trick. I was told i had arthritis in knees but the pain has gone and i walk dogs 3 times a day, i do yoga, gardening and swimming, so i believe i was under medicated and incorrectly medicated. Sometimes we have to take control of our health as drs are often clueless, left to my dr i would be on tramadol, codine and worse.
If you are exhausted and in pain maybe your meds are not spot on and you need to supplement important vitamins , nutrients and natural anti inflammatory omega 3's and tumeric. I have pm'd you where i get my supplements xx
Hi Endomad,
Thank you for your reply. when your in pain you think your the only person out there. I think my meds are ok, and my next step is to introduce Vitamines. For the last couple of weeks been blitsing green gunge of kale, carrot, kiwi pinapple, tastes great. now introduced vit D3 around 40,000IU a day. only started it 4 or 5 days ago so not feeling any benefit yet, but googled my symptoms, and it seemed to make sence. Tally Ho.
I love green smoothies x
thyroid results update, ive got the range numbers too
Latest test Free T3 has gone down?
MS
feeling down in the dumps..
3 years down the line... 
