Hi,
I was diagnosed 30 years ago with an underactive thyroid. About the same time I started having trouble with weak joints/muscles and had problems with turning door handles, wringing out dish cloths etc, things I had never had problems with before.
I am now in my 60's and I appreciate we all get weaker, but this just doesn't feel normal. I ache and have problems with my grip. Is this just age or is this an issue with thyroid?
Hi
Have you had any xrays of the thumbs, hands, wrists ? Could be arthritis?
Are you happy with your Levothyroxine dose and most recent blood tests results? Any other symptoms?
Have you had Vitamin D, Calcium, B12, Folate and Ferritin levels tested?
EDIT
You could ask your GP for some xrays & possible referal to Orthopaedics (Hand Specialist ).
If you've never seen an Endocrinologist then also ask GP for a referal (just read your post from 10 more than ago ). Ask Endocrinologist for all the blood tests (FT3 etc Thyroid Antibodies )
Last test said I was over medicated, about 6 weeks ago. I've never been given test results or referred to an endocrinologist, so not sure on vitamin levels either.
I was asked to go back for another blood test, so will do, and maybe mention the weakness at the same time x
To have a hope of properly managing our health and treatment, we need to know what we are being tested for (or not), and the results of those tests. Whilst your muscle issues could have a number of causes, including arthritis as has been mentioned, both a poorly medicated thyroid and poor nutrition can very definitely impact how well and fit we feel. If you revisit your post of 10 months ago, and in particular the advice given you from SlowDragon and FancyPants54, you can remind yourself what is advised here. Ask at your surgery for copies of your most recent test results, post them here in a new post, and members can comment more specifically on what might be underpinning the problems you describe.
Lynn.Muscle weakness is very common with hypothyroidism. I wouldn't be inclined to ask for an endo referral, it often ties a GPs hands even further. Can you post your latest blood results which you are intitled to a copy of from your surgery for further advice. I imagine your current treatment to be less than optimal and that it may have been so for a long time.
It is normal, sometimes when on the wrong dose of medication. Are you Dave? I couldn't find any of your old posts with Blood test results and ranges or anything about what you are taking now?
Could be nerve damage... My mum has had these issues with her hands for decades due to nerve damage and low b12. Ask to have b12 checked and to see a neurologist.
First thing to do is to ask for a print out of your last results. They should also have the range is then which is very important to post aswell as ranges vary from lab to lab so without them we should just be guessing.
Thankyou. I will ask for print outs, but doctors are never very helpful!!!
I had bloods done 10 months ago that suggested I was at the lower end of normal so my thyroxine was upped from 125mcg to 150 mcg. I struggled with the dose for a while, but my latest blood test results have shown I am now over medicated so have been dropped back to 125mcg (about 6 weeks ago). Will book another test and also ask for last 3 print outs.
Bunnyjean - My husband is Dave. I have posted ( several years ago) on health unlocked as he had stage 3 oesophageal cancer . xx
I have muscle weakness and although I haven’t been suffering for as long as you, a couple of years ago I was a self employed gardener/designer, wielding hedge trimmers above my head and carrying wheel barrows around all day. Now I can’t fold the kids laundry without having a rest.
Mine is definitely thyroid related so don’t give up on that channel.
I wanted to say too that you are absolute entitled to a print out of your results, so don’t let a mean-looking receptionist bully you! (Some places will charge a small fee I think) 😉
Thankyou x
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