hi I’ve recently been diagnosed as having hypothyroidism and I’m taking thyroxine. A few days ago I had a steroid injection in my knee for an injury that hadn’t healed. My question is can the injection affect thyroxine. I’m totally shattered.
thyroid and knee steroid injection.: hi I’ve... - Thyroid UK
thyroid and knee steroid injection.
welcome to the forum
Common to initially feel worse/more exhausted when we start on Levo
How much levothyroxine have you started on
Which brand of levothyroxine
What were your results BEFORE starting on levothyroxine
It takes 6-8 weeks for each dose levothyroxine to settle in
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 to see if your hypothyroidism is autoimmune
Very important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 at least once year minimum
Low vitamin levels are extremely common when hypothyroid, especially with autoimmune thyroid disease
Recommended that all thyroid blood tests early morning, ideally just before 9am, only drink water between waking and test and last dose levothyroxine 24 hours before test
This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip)
hi
Slow dragon interesting info. Only had tsh and t4 tests so no idea if it’s autoimmune. Having said that my atrial fib at very low heart rate had disappeared and I’ve been absolutely fine for the last 11 months. The change has happened within days of a knee steroid jab, I’m wondering if there’s a connection?
Yes can be
Or could be coincidence
You need to get full thyroid and vitamin testing
How much levothyroxine are you taking
75mg
That’s only one step up from standard STARTER dose
Unless extremely petite, likely ready for next dose increase
how long have you been on 75mcg
Get FULL thyroid and vitamin testing
Which brand levothyroxine are you taking
Do you always get same brand at each prescription
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 to see if your hypothyroidism is autoimmune
Very important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 at least once year minimum
Low vitamin levels are extremely common when hypothyroid, especially with autoimmune thyroid disease
About 90% of primary hypothyroidism is autoimmune thyroid disease, usually diagnosed by high TPO and/or high TG thyroid antibodies
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.
Significant minority of Hashimoto’s patients only have high TG antibodies (thyroglobulin)
20% of autoimmune thyroid patients never have high thyroid antibodies and ultrasound scan of thyroid can get diagnosis
In U.K. medics hardly ever refer to autoimmune thyroid disease as Hashimoto’s (or Ord’s thyroiditis)
Essential to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12
Lower vitamin levels more common as we get older
For good conversion of Ft4 (levothyroxine) to Ft3 (active hormone) we must maintain GOOD vitamin levels
What vitamin supplements are you taking
Also VERY important to test TSH, Ft4 and Ft3 together
What is reason for your hypothyroidism
Autoimmune?
Recommended that all thyroid blood tests early morning, ideally just before 9am, only drink water between waking and test and 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
Post all about what time of day to test
healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...
Testing options and includes money off codes for private testing
Medichecks Thyroid plus BOTH TPO and TG antibodies and vitamins
medichecks.com/products/adv...
Blue Horizon Thyroid Premium Gold includes BOTH TPO and TG antibodies, cortisol and vitamins
bluehorizonbloodtests.co.uk...
Only do private testing early Monday or Tuesday morning.
Link about thyroid blood tests
thyroiduk.org/testing/thyro...
Link about Hashimoto’s
thyroiduk.org/hypothyroid-b...
Symptoms of hypothyroidism
thyroiduk.org/signs-and-sym...
Tips on how to do DIY finger prick test
support.medichecks.com/hc/e...
Medichecks and BH also offer private blood draw at clinic near you, or private nurse to your own home…..for an extra fee
Don’t test/post in a heatwave
Come back with new post once you get results
hi
Thanks for the detailed answer.
ts4 and TSH tests are all that I have been offered. Both were in the normal range once I was taking 75mg ( about 10months ago) although I was taking my tablet just before the tests. I’m not taking any vitamins. Could I just take vitamin D and B12 and folate to be sure? I do try to avoid drs etc. I was under the impression that it was probably autoimmune and that that was good enough. Is this not the case?
Be very wary of the normal range!
This is a link to a very good article in the British Medical Journal discussing what the 'normal range' really is. Very readable.
The normal range: it is not normal and it is not a range
Both were in the normal range once I was taking 75mg ( about 10months ago) although I was taking my tablet just before the tests.
Suggest you get copies of EXACTLY what results and ranges were
What time was test.
Ft4 would be falsely high if took levothyroxine before test
Approx how much do you weigh in kilo
75mcg is very low dose levothyroxine unless extremely petite
Could I just take vitamin D and B12 and folate to be sure?
Ideally ALWAYS test before starting any supplements
If seriously deficient in B12 you will need testing for Pernicious Anaemia before starting any B vitamins
If folate or vitamin D deficient you will need higher dose supplements
Thousands of U.K. members forced to test privately to make progress
Examples of posts Medichecks results
healthunlocked.com/search/p...
These are my results the blood tests were first thing in the morning. I took the pills about an hour before the test. About 75kgs not petite.
TSH 6.2 T4 7.0
Levo accord 50mg
TSH 4.5. T4. 18.3.
Levo teva75 mg27/11/23
T4 7.4 -14.9 normal
TSH 0.4-5.3 normal
on Levo TSH should always be below 2
So your results show you are in desperate need of next increase to 100mcg levothyroxine daily
Retest in 2-3 months
ALWAYS test
Likely to need further increases in levothyroxine after this
Recommended that all thyroid blood tests early morning, ideally just before 9am, only drink water between waking and test and last dose levothyroxine 24 hours before test
This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip)
hi Molmo, as a thyroid cancer survivor on 100mcg levothyroxine and 5 mcg liothyronine, I’ve never experienced an issue with cortisone knee injections in rhe six times I’ve had it done. My doctors never indicated there should be an issue or interaction. Have you reached out to your endocrinologist with your concern?