Hand pain, Hashi’s symptom?

[Annaoj]

I’ve been struggling to resolve my Hashi’s symptoms since my diagnosis last January, and am waiting for an Endo appt. It has been suggested on here that I may need a prescription for T3, which I had intended to ask for at that appt.

In the meantime my fatigue has hit a whole new level, and I started to get pain predominantly in my hands and wrists, and slight swelling in my fingers.

Blood tests last week showed no inflammatory markers, and I’m in the normal range for rheumatoid factors, but my iron was low - 19 (range 15-300), and my TSH was up to 2.2. It’s been 0.5 for several months. The lab very unhelpfully decided not to bother testing my T4. I’ve been given iron pills and my Levo has been increased from 100 to 125mg.

I can understand why I’m fatigued based on these results but I’m still worried about the pain in my joints in my hands and wrists. Has anyone experienced this before? Is it likely to be a Hashi’s symptom given that my TSH is just over range?

Thanks in advance

[SlowDragon Ambassador]

You need vitamin D, folate and B12 tested if these haven't been done

Using Medichecks if Gp is unhelpful

Iron result - is that ferritin?

Good that your Gp recognises you needed iron

What other vitamin supplements do you currently take?

As you have Hashimoto's are you on strictly gluten free diet ?

[Annaoj in reply to SlowDragon]

Folate and B12 are well through the range as i supplement.

Vit D is 75mg, and I’ve upped my supplements there too.

Iron result was ferritin, yes.

I also take selenium, zinc, magnesium.

I’ve been gluten free for several months now.

At my last (private) test in Aug last year my T4 was 18 (12-22) and T3 was 4.4 (3.1 - 6.8). So I’m guessing that if my TSH has risen since then, my T4 and T3 may have dropped? Or perhaps the low iron is preventing my dose from working effectively?

[SlowDragon Ambassador in reply to Annaoj]

Your results suggest you are poor converter

FT4 was 60% through range

FT3 only 35% through range

Helpful calculator for working out percentage through range

chorobytarczycy.eu/kalkulator

Suggest you get full Thyroid and vitamin testing in 6-8 weeks

Recommended on here that all thyroid blood tests should ideally be done as early as possible in morning and before eating or drinking anything other than water .

Last dose of Levothyroxine 24 hours prior to blood 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)

Is this how you do your tests?

Private tests are available. Thousands on here forced to do this as NHS often refuses to test FT3 or antibodies

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/testin...

For thyroid including antibodies and 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

Cheapest option for just TSH, FT4 and FT3 £29 (via NHS private service )

monitormyhealth.org.uk/thyr...

[Sharoosz in reply to SlowDragon]

The calculator is in Polish - do you have a translation of the interpretation of the results? It clearly says to read that before doing the calculations. If you have one, it would be good to add that information. If you don't, I speak Polish fluently and would be willing to translate the pertinent information so that you could give it along with the link.

[SlowDragon Ambassador in reply to Sharoosz]

That would be very helpful

Thanks

[Julesboz]

Hi there, just to let you know that I have terrible hand pain if my iron is too low or too high. I’ve had tests for rheumatoid factor and osteoarthritis. Although I have mild OA I’ve been told that the pain I get isn’t related to that. I found the link to iron myself, I just need to keep my ferritin and blood iron saturation at the right level and then they don’t hurt. Very odd, and the doctors can’t explain it.

[Annaoj in reply to Julesboz]

Ah that’s interesting, thank you. I asked my Dr if there could be a link but he said it was more likely related to my hash’s symptoms.

It will be interesting to see what happens when my ferritin levels improve. I will let you know!

[grumpyold]

Hi Annaoj,

I have had Hashi's for over 20 years and it's only in the last few years that my hands have really started hurting.

I just had blood tests done and I now know that my FT3 is low (only 5% within "normal" range), my FT4 is only 39% within the range. My TSH is always suppressed because I take metformin so that can't be relied upon in my case.

I am also low in folate and B12 though my ferritin is OK. Vit D also a bit low.

My Levo, like yours, has just been increased from 100mcg to 125 mcg.

I was given an X ray for the hand pain 3 years ago, but no reason for the pain was evident.

I have just started supplementing with vit D3, folate and B12 so I shall wait and see if a combination of these supplements together with the increased dose of Levo makes the pain in my hands any better.

[Annaoj in reply to grumpyold]

Thanks for this.

Hand pain is a recent thing for me too, although I’ve only been diagnosed for a year now.

I’ve been supplementing B12 and Folate for a while now and am a little low in D3 also.

At my last test, I was low through the range on T3, so I suppose that could be the answer?

[Hidden]

Sounds like you have carpel tunnel syndrome, a common result of hypothyroidism. Swelling in wrist pressing on a nerve. Uncomfortable but not dangerous. Hopefully, getting your thyroid levels optimal will help. I've started to get tingling in one hand which is probably for the same reason (It's my right hand, so unless my heart is plumbed in backwards it's not likely to be a heart issue!)

[Annaoj in reply to Hidden]

Hi Jnetti,

I’m not sure it is Carpel Tunnel. It feels more like joint pain after movement than nerve pain and my fingers are now becoming quite swollen. But you are right, I need to get my thyroid levels optimal and see what happens.

[Tinkermt]

I have Hashimoto's and I've been supposed to be tested for arthritis and fibromyalgia which I haven't done yet. I had been feeling really good for the last few months but recently had a flare up which made me think about what I've changed. Also made me realize I really need to follow through with the fibromyalgia testing since the symptoms and triggers are so close to Hashimoto's. But what I found was I had switched to NP Thyroid which is a natural replacement that has both T3 and T4. It took about 7 months to get the dosage tight but I feel so much better. I also went gluten free, cut back on dairy and I no longer drink caffeine. I have tea from time to time but that's it. I also cut back on exercise. I'm starting to work out again but I listen to my body and give it the rest it needs. Over the holidays I overdid everything. Gluten. dairy. Caffeine. Not enough rest. All my body aches came back. I got a horrible cold, my hair started falling out again. It's a humbling feeling....we're not like everyone else, if we don't take care of ourselves our bodies definitely will let us know really quick.

[Drose9193 in reply to Tinkermt]

Hi

You mentioned NP Thyroid

What is it and can it be prescribed

Many thanks

David

[Tinkermt in reply to Drose9193]

That's what it's called. NP Thyroid. It's a prescription. It's an alternative to Armour I believe.

[Annaoj in reply to Tinkermt]

You’re absolutely right, Tinkermt, we’re not like everyone else, and I have most certainly over indulged this Xmas. That, alongside the usual Xmas stresses and compete lack of rest has meant I’ve probably overdone it.

Additionally, I overthink and worry about my health. This new hand pain has had me in an anxious frenzy and I’d already diagnosed myself with RA before I’d even had a blood test!! I am my own worst enemy. 😕

[Drose9193]

Hi

Can be many causes

What comes to mind

Is lymes diseases

Or gout

Hope you do well soon

Best

David

[Rosie2m]

I have hand and feet pain, it was infact the thing that started me on the road to finding out I have hypothyroidism. Whilst it has improved slightly it’s not gone and I worry if it’s something I will have forever. I have now started a gf diet and am hoping to see improvement soon! I really hope you get to the bottom of yours xx

[vocalEK]

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