Knee problems

[Sj005a]

Hi guys. Not been here for a while.

I'm diagnosed with hypothyroidism for four years.

I'm obviously Male. Lately I've been getting pains in my knees and occasionally my knee gives out. I'm 53 and its embarrassing when you fall over for no reason.

Is this normal for hypothyroidism.

My blood tests don't give my doctor any cause for concern

I'm on 125mg replacement daily but also on 40mg simvastatin for cholesterol.

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Sj005a

Lately I've been getting pains in my knees and occasionally my knee gives out. I'm 53 and its embarrassing when you fall over for no reason.

Is this normal for hypothyroidism.

No it's not normal, there can be many reasons for what you are experiencing with your knee so you should see your GP for some investigations.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

High cholesterol is linked to being under treated and too small dose of levothyroxine

GP’s frequently only test TSH and Ft4, this is completely inadequate

nhs.uk/conditions/statins/c...

If you have an underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism), treatment may be delayed until this problem is treated. This is because having an underactive thyroid can lead to an increased cholesterol level, and treating hypothyroidism may cause your cholesterol level to decrease, without the need for statins. Statins are also more likely to cause muscle damage in people with an underactive thyroid.

First thing is, do you have any actual blood test results? if not will need to get hold of copies.

You are legally entitled to printed copies of your blood test results and ranges.

The best way to get access to current and historic blood test results is to register for online access to your medical record and blood test results

UK GP practices are supposed to offer everyone online access for blood test results. Ring and ask if this is available and apply to do so if possible, if it is you may need "enhanced access" to see blood results.

In reality many GP surgeries do not have blood test results online yet

Alternatively ring receptionist and request printed copies of results. Allow couple of days and then go and pick up.

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 you have autoimmune thyroid disease (Hashimoto's) diagnosed by raised Thyroid antibodies

Ask GP to test vitamin levels

You may need to get full Thyroid testing privately as NHS refuses to test TG antibodies if TPO antibodies are negative

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)

The aim of Levothyroxine is to increase the dose slowly in 25mcg steps upwards until TSH is under 2 (many need TSH significantly under one) and most important is that FT4 is in top third of range and FT3 at least half way through range

NHS guidelines on Levothyroxine including that most patients eventually need somewhere between 100mcg and 200mcg Levothyroxine.

nhs.uk/medicines/levothyrox...

Also what foods to avoid (eg recommended to avoid calcium rich foods at least four hours from taking Levo)

All four vitamins need to be regularly tested and frequently need supplementing to maintain optimal levels

Guidelines on dose by weight is 1.6mcg levothyroxine per kilo of your weight

[Marz]

Statins weaken muscles - and there are many muscles above and below the knee to give support. What is your FT3 result ?

[Treepie]

Your post reminded me that I had the same problem last year but not at present so no idea as to cause.