Achy feeling in thighs

[Pinkpetite]

Hello, just thought to ask on this site as every now and again I get an achy feeling in my thighs. It is not restless legs as I've had that. It started this week in my right thigh only and then last night was in both. It's very annoying as I can't get comfortable with it. I wondered if it was a bit of constipation so I took my magnesium oxide capsules last night, worked this morning, and it seems ok right now. I am still unsure whether that is it as it comes and goes. I also wondered about potassium and whether that would help.

I also feel quite stiff and have been pulling muscles recently, doing very little like stretching to open a window.

From what I remember I think I used to get this when I first started on thyroxine 40 years ago, it made sleeping very difficult. Could it be connected with hypothyroidism for which I posted a few weeks ago? I am on 150mcg levo and this week started adding 6.25mcg T3 once a day but it's not the T3 as I've had this issue with my legs on and off for years now.

Hoping to get some tips. Thanks!

[SlowDragon Administrator]

What vitamin supplements are you currently taking

When were vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 last tested

You’ll need FULL Thyroid and vitamin testing 6-8 weeks after starting on T3.

How high was Ft4 in range before adding T3

Have you reduced levothyroxine by 25mcg before adding T3 ?

Are you on strictly gluten free diet?

[Pinkpetite in reply to SlowDragon]

I take either a Cytoplan CoQ10 multi or a high B complex each day. I add zinc citrate 17mg occasionally. I take a vitamin D3/K2 3,000ius daily and past 2 weeks been adding ferrous fumarate 210mg 2 or 3 times a day. I sometimes add vitamin C as calcium ascorbate to water. I take Mag07 one or two at night for constipation and sometimes mag citrate 400mg 2 daily. Was taking chromium 200mcg 2 or 3 times quite recently to help my blood sugar issues (diagnosed myself). By the way for a while I was taking B1 100mg (not if I took the B complex) as I was getting tingling in my fingers especially if I drank wine at night. I don't drink alcohol anymore. I read that wine depletes B1.

Last blood test was 27 Feb 2020.

T4 was 15.1 (9 - 23).

T3 was 4.4 (2.5 - 5.7)

TSH 0.01 (0.3 - 4.2)

Ferritin was 65 (20-300)

Folate was (42U5) more than 20ng/ml (more than 2.7) - don't understand this result at all.

B12 was 1,171ng/l (160-800) as had just used 5,000mcg patch

No vitamin D done for years.

Did not reduce thyroxine as T4 wasn't in the high part of the range - is this right?

Don't feel any different so far from adding T3 (been 4 days only)

In 6 to 8 weeks what dose of T3 should I be on? Do I add another 6.25mcg in 2 weeks time and then keep on that dose, ie. 12.5mcg till the blood test?

I'm on tiromel by the way.

I am strictly gluten free now, past 2 weeks, wasn't very strict before.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Pinkpetite]

Suggest you get vitamin D tested

vitamindtest.org.uk

[Pinkpetite in reply to SlowDragon]

Ok will do. Were the other results ok then, like the folate?

Am I right not to reduce my levo?

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Pinkpetite]

So last blood test

Ft4 15.1 (9-23)

44% through range

Ft3 4.4 (2.7-5.7)

57% through range

So yes, you probably don’t want to reduce levothyroxine

Did you ever try higher dose levothyroxine?

[Pinkpetite in reply to SlowDragon]

Just saw this reply. Missed it earlier!

No. Didn't try more levo as Gp was trying to lower it last year. Also wanted to try T3 as thought it might be the missing link!

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Pinkpetite]

Yes T3

Assuming first 1/4 tablet going ok

Add second in mid-late afternoon

Retest FULL Thyroid in 6-8 weeks after adding 2nd dose

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)

If/when also on T3, make sure to take last third or half of daily dose 8-12 hours prior to test, even if this means adjusting time or splitting of dose day before test

Remember to stop taking any supplements that have biotin in a week before all blood tests

[Pinkpetite in reply to SlowDragon]

So I add another 6.25mcg in the afternoon - in 2 weeks time? Then test in 6 to 8 weeks. And if test is at 9am I would need to make sure I took the other half of the T3 9pm to 1am the night before?

[AlisonL]

Hi, yes I suffer from this too. It's one of the few symptoms I still have that really bothers me, despite being on the right thyroid medication for me and taking supplements for Vit D, B12 and folate. I think with me it's related to my monthly cycle as sometimes it's unbearable and sometimes not there at all. I find that using a TENS machine really helps, as does having a bath in Epsom salts. Sorry not to be able to suggest what could be the cause, but I know exactly how you feel 🙂

[Pinkpetite in reply to AlisonL]

Thanks AlisonL I actually had an epsom salt bath last night so maybe that helped. It is horrible isn't it. Strange, there must be something lacking.

[AlisonL in reply to Pinkpetite]

I completely agree! I've had it on and off for years, but have never got to the bottom of what causes it.

[Pinkpetite in reply to AlisonL]

Do you take magnesium? As that's what's in epsom salts although I had a bath last night and was in great discomfort with my thighs at bedtime, but woke up basically ok......

I also took 2 magnesium citrate yesterday so maybe it takes a while to get into the system although I though epsom salts would be quick, it wasn't quick!

[AlisonL in reply to Pinkpetite]

I've taken it in the past, but never really found it helped that much. Having said that, the Epsom salt bath definitely does make a difference, but I have found that any sort of bath helps too. It's all a bit of a mystery really.

That's my garbled way of saying that I'm still none the wiser about it all!

[Pinkpetite in reply to AlisonL]

I hope to get to the bottom of this 🙂