Pins and needles and muscle pains on Eltroxin for Hypothyroidism.

[GreenTea23]

Hi Can anyone suggest what helps or what is causing pins and needles and muscle spasms in arms and legs while taking Eltroxin and have hypothyroidism. Unable to sleep with it and exhausted. Help really appreciated.

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK]

Sorry to respond with a question. There are at least three formulations of Eltroxin in use round the world. They have different formulations and which one is being discussed might affect the suggestions.

Which make of Eltroxin are you taking?

(I looked at you profile but couldn't see any indication of where you are.)

[SlowDragon Administrator]

How much levothyroxine are you taking

How long on this dose

Is the cause of your hypothyroidism autoimmune thyroid disease?

What vitamin supplements are you taking

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 tested 

Also both TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested at least once 

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

Low vitamins extremely common when hypothyroid/on levothyroxine

Low B12 frequently linked to pins and needles

Restless legs often linked to low magnesium/low iron/ferritin

Are you based in U.K.?

[GreenTea23 in reply to SlowDragon]

Thank you for your response I'm based in Ireland and UK.The dose was 100mg but now its reduced to 25 then 50mgs. The symptoms only started when I started taking the 100mgs a few weeks ago and I still have the side effects. I am on a low dose now and waiting on blood results. It was suggested I try Amour if the Eltroxin keeps giving symptoms as anyone had a better response with Amour Thyroid? I am on Eltroxin Levothyroxine Sodium from Mercury Pharma ? Thanks for all the information and help.

Kind regards

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to GreenTea23]

more likely due to low vitamin levels than levothyroxine

On levothyroxine we MUST have the good vitamin levels

Improving metabolism frequently reveals that vitamin levels need improvement

And depending on your weight perhaps still not on high enough dose levothyroxine. 100mcg isn’t a high dose

Approx how much do you weigh in kilo

Are male or female and approx age

What were thyroid and vitamin results at least 6-8 weeks after being on 100mcg dose levothyroxine

ALWAYS test thyroid levels early morning and last dose levothyroxine 24 hours before test

Essential to test TSH, Ft4 and Ft3 together

Test TPO and TG thyroid antibodies at least once

Test vitamin D, folate, B12 and ferritin at least annually

Vitamin levels likely crashed having dramatically reduced levothyroxine

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to GreenTea23]

Do you mean you were STARTED on 100mcg?

Often that’s too much too soon

Standard starter dose of levothyroxine is 50mcg

Waiting 6-8 weeks before retesting

Increasing to 75mcg …….waiting 6-8 weeks…..retest

Etc etc

Dose is SLOWLY increased over 6-12 months until on high enough dose ….typically that’s approximately 1.6mcg levothyroxine per kilo of your weight per day

Meanwhile essential to test and maintain optimal vitamin levels

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Irish private testing

Only test after 6-8 weeks on constant unchanging dose and brand levothyroxine

Thyroid testing

letsgetchecked.ie/home-thyr...

Vitamin D, folate and B12

letsgetchecked.ie/home-esse...

[serenfach]

I was told to drink the tonic water with quinine in it for this. I found it helped a bit more if I added a dash of gin too.

In my case, it turned out I was underdosed for my thyroid. I still carry on the treatment though!

Hope this made you smile, and you get it sorted soon. Hug.

[GreenTea23]

Thank you I will give it a try. Anything is worth a go at this stage.

[Ahmed-abo-fares84]

greetings, my wife have hypothyroid and she is taking eltroxin now since two years and she had some times same as your symptoms when this happened we analysed TSH and Vitamin D percentages and we found vitamin D low and the Tsh high ... so the doctor advised to take vitamin D for 2 moth to adjust the levels and modified the Eltroxin dosage she is taking now the 100 mg ... i advise you to revise TSH & Vit D levels ( as vit D will be the main reason for this fatigue and muscle pains) .... wish you a happy and healthy life

[GreenTea23 in reply to Ahmed-abo-fares84]

Thank you very much for your help. I'm glad to hear that your wife found out the case and stopped it as it is very upsetting to have it. I will have it checked. Wishing you both health also.