I am hypothyroid and Over the last year my levels have been all over the place, needing less thyroxine in the warmer months (75mg) as I was symptomatic of being a bit hyper, and more in the winter (100mg) when my levels dropped off and went the opposite way, leaving my wanting to just sleep constantly. As well as thyroxine I take, beta blockers and ace inhibitors for irregular heart beats and high blood pressure, statins, HRT, Mirabegron ( for an over active bladder), long term antibiotics for ongoing UTI’s (approx 5 yrs) as well as Vintamin D (having been diagnosed with SAD) and Starflower Oil (to combat the menopause).
I have always suffered with stiffness in my hands and ankles and poor circulation in my feet, but over the past year or so, I have had more severe pain in both and more dead toes when walking even when it’s warm and sunny. I feel the need to constantly stretch my whole body, but no matter how much I flex, nothing makes it feel any better. My arms and legs feel stiff and heavy and wake me throughout the night due to a constant ache and need to stretch. Walking up a slight incline or stairs get a burning sensation in the front of my thighs and the backs of my knees.
I’m hoping that someone on here may have an idea of what maybe causing this, and how to best combat it, its making my life a misery lately as I like nothing better than to get out with my dogs and I’m finding I am steering away from walking anywhere that involves a hill. My GP has booked me in for Doppler test on my legs, said up your meds and come back in a couple of months, but I’m sure I can be doing more...
Any ideas would be welcome as it’s slowly driving me more crazy than I already am.😂
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BeccyD
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I am hypothyroid and Over the last year my levels have been all over the place, needing less thyroxine in the warmer months (75mg) as I was symptomatic of being a bit hyper
Does your doctor dose by the TSH? That is the usual reason behind people saying their levels are 'all over the place', as they will be if being dosed by the TSH.
You cannot be hyper if you are hypo, not even a bit. The thyroid doesn't work that way. You can be over-medicated, but that's rather unlikely on such a small dose. But, only blood tests can tell you that because symptoms can be very unreliable. So many symptoms can be from both under and over-medication. And, it does sound like you're under-medicated.
What you need are:
TSH
FT4
FT3
TPO antibodies
Tg antibodies
vit D
vit B12
folate
ferritin
to get the full story. Vit B12 and folate are especially important because low B12 symptoms are very like hypo symptoms.
You say you're taking vit D, how much are you taking? If it's doctor prescribed then it's likely not enough. Are you also taking the very important cofactors: magnesium and vit K2-MK7? Vit D will not work properly with magnesium.
You are taking an awful lot of medication. I wonder is it all necessary or are all your problems down to under-medication for your low thyroid. Certainly if you have high cholesterol that is very likely down to low T3. Statins really are not a good thing to take for anybody, but contra-indicated in hypos and women. Your leg pain could be due to the statins.
Your irregular heart beats could also be down to your low T3. The heart needs a lot of T3. And beta blockers could be affecting your conversion of T4 to T3 making it even lower.
So, the first step to improving your health is to get all those tests done - and you may have to get them done privately because the NHS will definitely not do them all. Details of private testing here:
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.
Sounds like you are under treated and vitamin deficiencies as direct result
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)
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
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
Levothyroxine should always be taken empty stomach and then nothing apart from water for at least an hour after
Many people take Levothyroxine soon after waking, but it may be more effective taken at bedtime
Many people find Levothyroxine brands are not interchangeable.
Once you find a brand that suits you, best to make sure to only get that one at each prescription.
Watch out for brand change when dose is increased or at repeat prescription.
Many patients do NOT get on well with Teva brand of Levothyroxine. Though it is the only one for lactose intolerant patients. Teva is the only brand that makes 75mcg tablet. So if avoiding Teva for 75mcg dose ask for 25mcg to add to 50mcg or just extra 50mcg tablets to cut in half
I don’t have exact numbers but My vitamin levels are ok and all TSH, T4 and T3 are mid range, although my GP agrees that I’m better when my T4/3 are at the upper end hence the increase in my thyroxine recently. My cholesterol level is good but I don’t know if this is because if the statins or inspire of them. Regarding irregular heart beats I have a strong family history of heart disease, losing both parents to heart attacks in their early 60’s, before the bispropal medication I had a tendency to keep passing out as I had runs of random beats and could never catch my breath when this happened causing the black outs. After a few weeks of being in and out of hospital I was referred to a cardiologist and had about a million tests and they agreed that beta blockers was the way forward. My blood pressure has been high since my early 20’s and any reduction invariably means it sky rockets. I take HRT as I said, as I’m very menopausal and take the starflower to help with symptoms, and vitamin d for a boost to help combat the SAD.
I will go back to my GP, but until I’ve let the new dose of thyroxine settle she won’t do anything, and I’m not currently in a position to go private so may just have to suck it up for now..
Hi beccyd
How are you now?
Have you considered that your aches may be statin related?
I know that my aches were caused by statins, as I never had aches in all my life, prior to statins
your taking Mirabegron I have afib and am frightened to take it as it states that it can give you fast heart beats something I don’t need with afib I’m wondering if that’s what maybe giving you irregular heartbeats
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