Sudden onset arthritis or thyroid issue??

[Bunny12345678]

I wondered if anyone can advise me please, as I'm writing on behalf of my mum.

My mum started with her left knee and leg swelling about a month and a half ago following an excruciating snapping sensation to that leg, around the same time both wrists started to become painful and stiff, this has now progressed to her fingers that appear recoiled in a morning. Her GP practice is far from being good but they have requested an xray and done basic bloods including her tsh...she takes thyroxine and ramipril...I'm wondering if its her thyroid or a bacterial infection??? I'm really worried about the speed this is progressing, her gp's say its arthritis alone...

Any suggestions welcome please

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Suggest your Mum gets FULL thyroid and vitamin testing done

How much levothyroxine is she currently taking

Does she always get same brand levothyroxine at each prescription

Levothyroxine must be taken on empty stomach and then nothing apart from water for at least an hour after

No other medications or supplements within 2 hours minimum

Bloods should be retested 6-8 weeks after each dose change or brand change in levothyroxine

For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4 and FT3 plus both TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested.

Very important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 at least once year minimum

Low vitamin levels are extremely common, especially with autoimmune thyroid disease (Hashimoto’s or Ord’s thyroiditis)

Autoimmune thyroid disease with goitre is Hashimoto’s

Autoimmune thyroid disease without goitre is Ord’s thyroiditis. Both are autoimmune and generally called Hashimoto’s.

In U.K. medics hardly ever refer to autoimmune thyroid disease as Hashimoto’s (or Ord’s thyroiditis)

Recommended on here that all thyroid blood tests early morning, ideally before 9am last dose levothyroxine 24 hours before test

This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip)

Private tests are available as NHS currently rarely tests Ft3 or all relevant vitamins

List of private testing options and money off codes

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

Medichecks Thyroid plus antibodies and vitamins

medichecks.com/products/adv...

Blue Horizon Thyroid Premium Gold includes antibodies, cortisol and vitamins by DIY fingerprick test

bluehorizonbloodtests.co.uk...

If you can get GP to test vitamins and antibodies then cheapest option for just TSH, FT4 and FT3

£29 (via NHS private service ) and 10% off down to £26.10 if go on thyroid uk for code

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

monitormyhealth.org.uk/

[Bunny12345678 in reply to SlowDragon]

Thankyou very much. Do my mums symptoms sound familiar to thyroid crisis? I had wondered this.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Bunny12345678]

Carpal tunnel - yes

Tight tendons - yes

Damage to knee - probably not

Has she recently had change in brand of levothyroxine

Or recently started ramipril

Presumably she knows NOT to take ramipril with levothyroxine

Come back with new post once you get results

Always do private testing early Monday or Tuesday morning, last dose levothyroxine 24 hours before test

What vitamin supplements is she currently taking

Remember to stop taking any vitamin supplements that contain biotin a week before blood test

[chrisbuy63 in reply to SlowDragon]

Sorry to butt in here but can you explain about Rampiril and thyroid meds, I was prescribed rampiril for BP and I take thyroxine.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to chrisbuy63]

Levothyroxine is an extremely fussy medication and must always be taken on its own, no other medications or supplements within 2 hours minimum of levothyroxine

Some like iron, magnesium, calcium, HRT or PPI must be minimum 4 hours away from levothyroxine