Arthritis or Medication?

[maplewood]

Arthritis or Medication? I have been in excruciating pain in my finger (bone pain) for two weeks now. The doctor gave me some naproxen which did help for a couple of days but I had to stop it as it gave me too many tummy troubles. My other hand is tweaking a bit now and so is my lower back and left ankle. It seems like it could be some kind of arthritis problem. I am on 50mg of liquid replacement currently. This happened in 2013 when they first put me on medication to the point where I could not walk as I was in so much pain. Recently I have dropped from 75mg as I was getting symptoms of hyper. Do you guys think it could be some kind of withdrawal symptom because I have reduced my meds? I am going to ring GP and ask for bloods but I am so heavily committed work wise at the moment I need some self help tips. Thank You

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Likely very low vitamin levels due to being under medicated

Previous post shows dire B12 And Ferritin

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

Did you get vitamin D tested?

vitamindtest.org.uk

Strongly recommend getting vitamins retested ...privately if GP won’t

Low vitamin levels need improving

[maplewood in reply to SlowDragon]

They would not do them. I have been taking supplements but must admit not as well as I should. Thanks I have managed to get bloods done today I will ask the nurse see if she can add them. You never know.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to maplewood]

All four need to be optimal

Vitamin D at least around 80nmol and around 100nmol maybe better

Folate at least half way through range

B12 at least over 500

Ferritin at least half way through range

Previous results were terrible

SERUM FERRITIN 21 (20-100),

B12 186 (115-1000),

Because you were/are very under treated

TSH 6.5 ( 0.35-4.7),

T4 9.4 (7.8-21).

Has GP done full iron panel test for anaemia

Were you prescribed any iron supplements

B12 so low you needed full testing for Pernicious Anaemia before likely needing B12 injections

Folate and vitamin D not tested

[maplewood in reply to SlowDragon]

Hiya. Just to let you know i managed to persuade the nurse to check B12 and Iron along with Thyroid tests yesterday but she would not do the Vitamin D as she said it needs to come from a GP. I will wait until the GP phones with results and mention your views, Thank you

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to maplewood]

NHS postal kit vitamin D. Very easy to do

vitamindtest.org.uk

[maplewood in reply to SlowDragon]

Morning. Just to let you know I have just had a call from GP sec. TSH 6.5, T4 10, serum folate 5.1, B12 216, serum Ferritin 27. Increased levo to 75mg and I have to take supplements for six months. Thank you for your support.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to maplewood]

So you need vitamin B complex and B12

supplementing a good quality daily vitamin B complex, one with folate in (not folic acid) may be beneficial.

This can help keep all B vitamins in balance and will help improve B12 levels too

Difference between folate and folic acid

chriskresser.com/folate-vs-...

Many Hashimoto’s patients have MTHFR gene variation and can have trouble processing folic acid.

thyroidpharmacist.com/artic...

B vitamins best taken after breakfast

Igennus Super B is good quality and cheap vitamin B complex. Contains folate. Full dose is two tablets per day. Many/most people may only need one tablet per day. Certainly only start on one per day (or even half tablet per day for first couple of weeks)

Or Thorne Basic B or jarrow B-right are other options that contain folate, but both are large capsules

If you are taking vitamin B complex, or any supplements containing biotin, remember to stop these 7 days before any blood tests, as biotin can falsely affect test results

endo.confex.com/endo/2016en...

endocrinenews.endocrine.org...

Low B12 symptoms

b12deficiency.info/signs-an...

With such low B12 result taking a B12 supplement and a B Complex (to balance all the B vitamins) initially for first 2-4 months, then once your serum B12 is over 500 (or Active B12 level has reached 70), stop the B12 and just carry on with the B Complex.

B12 sublingual lozenges

cytoplan.co.uk/vitamins/vit...

And GP has prescribed iron supplements?

Come back with vitamin D result once you get it

Likely to be very low too

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to maplewood]

Thyroid levels will need retesting in 6-8 weeks

Remember to always test as early as possible in morning before eating or drinking anything other than water and last dose levothyroxine 24 hours before test

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. Teva contains mannitol as a filler, which seems to be possible cause of problems. 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

Are you currently taking Teva?

Teva, Aristo and Glenmark are the only lactose free tablets

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to maplewood]

academic.oup.com/jcem/artic...

Physicians should: 1) alert patients that preparations may be switched at the pharmacy; 2) encourage patients to ask to remain on the same preparation at every pharmacy refill; and 3) make sure patients understand the need to have their TSH retested and the potential for dosing readjusted every time their LT4 preparation is switched (18).

Which brand of levothyroxine are you currently taking?

Levothyroxine is an extremely fussy hormone and should always be taken on an 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 convenient and perhaps more effective taken at bedtime

verywellhealth.com/best-tim...

No other medication or supplements at same as Levothyroxine, leave at least 2 hour gap.

Some like iron, calcium, magnesium, HRT, omeprazole or vitamin D should be four hours away

(Time gap doesn't apply to Vitamin D mouth spray)

If you normally take levothyroxine at bedtime/in night ...adjust timings as follows prior to blood test

If testing Monday morning, delay Saturday evening dose levothyroxine until Sunday morning. Delay Sunday evening dose levothyroxine until after blood test on Monday morning. Take Monday evening dose levothyroxine as per normal

[maplewood in reply to SlowDragon]

I am on liquid levo as i had major issues with the tablets. Thank you i am going to print the advice so i can keep refering to it🙂

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to maplewood]

GP should have organised testing for pernicious anaemia before starting any B Vitamins

Have they done so

[maplewood in reply to SlowDragon]

No they have not done that. Funnily it is on my medical records that I have it but one GP took me off the injections years ago.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to maplewood]

If you have it stated on your medical records that you have pernicious anaemia you should be on regular B12 injections for life

Ask on healthunlocked.com/pasoc

About how to get regular injections reinstated

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to maplewood]

patient.info/allergies-bloo...

If you have pernicious anaemia the injections are needed for life. Apart from the discomfort of having an injection, you should have no side-effects from the treatment. The injections are simply replacing a vitamin that you need.