Hashimotos. Lichen S and now possibly Rheumatoi... - Thyroid UK

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Hashimotos. Lichen S and now possibly Rheumatoid arthritis?..

Denise133 profile image
5 Replies

Hi all, I take 75mg Levo (hashimotos). Last couple of weeks my right arm, elbow and wrist has become more and more painful, sore and weak. I also have pains in my other arm but not as bad. Most of my joints are sore and painful at different times. My knees are both swollen and the skin looks purple around them. My knees have been like this for over a year now. Doctors looked at them last year and just said they didn’t know why other than fluid retention. They also tested for Rheumatoid arthritis but test was negative (12-18 months ago). It seems this has started (the new symptoms) in the last 2-3 weeks. I spoke to my GP today and had a blood test which they say will be 2weeks. I also have Lichens S. I’m guessing this may be a another auto immune disease attacking me. Does anyone have anything similar? Would appreciate any advice or information. Thanks in advance x

Update: blood tests back. If anyone can make any sense of these I would be very grateful. I currently take 75mg Levo daily..

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Denise133
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SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator

Just testing TSH is completely inadequate

75mcg is only one step up from starter dose

How long have you been left on this dose

Do you always get same brand levothyroxine

Which brand

What vitamin supplements are you currently taking

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 as you have Hashimoto’s

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 as NHS currently rarely tests Ft3 or thyroid antibodies or all relevant vitamins

List of private testing options

thyroiduk.org/getting-a-dia...

Medichecks Thyroid plus ultra vitamin

medichecks.com/products/thy...

Medichecks often have special offers, if order on Thursdays

Thriva Thyroid plus vitamins

thriva.co/tests/thyroid-test

Blue Horizon Thyroid Premium Gold includes vitamins

bluehorizonbloodtests.co.uk...

Denise133 profile image
Denise133 in reply to SlowDragon

Hi,I’ve been on this dose for over a year now. There have been a couple of changes of brand but not recently..

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator in reply to Denise133

So next step is to get full thyroid and vitamin testing

Come back with new post once you get results

HashiFedUp profile image
HashiFedUp

All your bloods look fine but your R-factor is 15. Im guessing this indicates a problem?? What has the doc said?

With hashimoto’s its common to get tendon / joint pain and inflammation but if your RA is raised as yours is, they should probably refer you to a rheumatoid clinic.

cyberbarn profile image
cyberbarn

I can see it says that the rheumatoid factor is above reference level. It is a very vague test, it can indicate an autoimmune disease such as rheumatoid arthritis and Sjogren's, but some people with those diseases have normal levels, and some healthy people have elevated levels. In fact a significant number of people with rheumatoid arthritis test within normal range for 10 years before it rises above the normal range. And I note that last time you were tested it was in normal range?

So what the rheumatoid factor is best at is pointing in the direct of more comprehensive blood tests. And as usual, blood test results should be looked at along side symptoms. There are many other MSK conditions that have those symptoms, and on top of that if your thyroid levels aren't right, it could be making things worse.

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