Is this my hypothyroidism?

[Tessybear]

I’ve been taking Levothyroxine at different doses for about fifteen years, and have had ups and downs, but generally have had a stable period for a few years. Recently I’ve had a few bouts of extreme fatigue and coldness, having to wrap myself in layers of blankets even in a warm room. I have osteoarthritis, and am used to having aches and pains, but recently I’ve been in constant debilitating muscle and joint pain. I’m wondering whether my thyroid problem is showing it’s face again. Does this happen to anyone out there? Blood tests I have are always ‘within the normal range’ and I am due for routine blood tests anyway this month,and have made an appointment to see my G.P.

I would be very interested to hear from others with a similar experience.

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Tessybear

Muscle and joint aches and pains can be low Vit D.

Post results, with reference ranges, when you have them. Just being in range doesn't mean that the dose is optimal and relieving all symptoms.

For a full picture it's recommended to test:

TSH

FT4

FT3

Thyroid antibodies

Vit D

B12

Folate

Ferritin

When booking thyroid tests, we advise:

* Book the first appointment of the morning. This is because TSH is highest early morning and lowers throughout the day. If we are looking for a diagnosis of hypothyroidism, or looking for an increase in dose or to avoid a reduction then we need TSH to be as high as possible.

* Fast overnight - have your evening meal/supper as normal the night before but delay breakfast on the day of the test and drink water only until after the blood draw. Eating may lower TSH, caffeine containing drinks affect TSH.

* Leave off Levo for 24 hours before blood draw, if taking NDT or T3 then leave that off for 8-12 hours. Take after the blood draw. Taking your dose too close to the blood draw will give false high results, leaving any longer gap will give false low results.

These are patient to patient tips which we don't discuss with doctors or phlebotomists.

[Tessybear]

Thanks for the advice. I’ll see what my G.P. has to say next week,discuss the blood tests needed and let you know the results.

[jgelliss in reply to Tessybear]

I found that while journaling my symptoms all along on the same thyroid dose long enough . And still have unresolved symptoms . In addition nutrients are up to par chances are that the thyroid meds might need to be checked via BW . Pending on BW values . Tweaking might be in order .

[Kalicocat]

When this happens to me my T3 is always at the bottom of the range or below range. Usually worse in the winter.