Is it unrealistic to hope that T3 will help with joint/muscle pain?

[Cat_bluenote]

Hi everyone, I've been plagued with daily muscle/ joint pain, soreness, stiffness in my back, and shoulders for 18 months. Never in my arms or legs though. The pain moves around, and I currently have low back and flank pain on both sides.

It started before I was diagnosed hypo, but got a lot worse after 6 months when I was quite undermedicated. I have started T3 now, due to poor conversion.

Any thoughts?

Or if anyone can recommend a supplement that helped them? Thanks

[SlowDragon Administrator]

what are your most recent vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 results

What vitamin supplements are you taking

Previous post mentions high calcium levels

This suggests possible parathyroid issue

Have you had calcium, vitamin D and Parathyroid levels tested together at same time

Info here all about parathyroid disease

parathyroid.com

[Cat_bluenote in reply to SlowDragon]

Thanks for replying. My last vitamin D test a month ago had dropped to 54, I was quite surprised, although I did stop taking it over the summer. I get outside quite a bit so I thought I'd be ok. Won't do that again! I restarted it in October.I haven't tested B12, folate or ferritin since February. Levels were good then. I do take super B complex daily, and iron about 3 times a week.

I've not had PTH tested. My blood test to re check calcium level is next week, so I'm hoping it's dropped.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

looking at previous posts you only got Levo dose up to 75mcg before T3 was added

Roughly how much do you weigh in kilo

75mcg was low dose, unless extremely petite

What were most recent TSH, Ft4 and Ft3 results

Retest thyroid levels 6-8 weeks after latest increase in T3

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)

T3 ….day before test split T3 as 2 or 3 smaller doses spread through the day, with last dose approximately 8-12 hours before test

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

thyroiduk.org/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...

Medichecks and BH also offer private blood draw at clinic near you, or private nurse to your own home…..for an extra fee

Monitor My Health (NHS private test service) offer thyroid and vitamin testing, plus cholesterol and HBA1C for £65

(Doesn’t include thyroid antibodies)

monitormyhealth.org.uk/full...

Only do private testing early Monday or Tuesday morning.

Tips on how to do DIY finger prick test

support.medichecks.com/hc/e...

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

[Cat_bluenote in reply to SlowDragon]

So 6 weeks ago I did increase Levothyroxin to 87 mcg a day. I kept T3 at 7.5mcg MMH results on 18/11/24 , correct protocol followed. Last T3 was 10 hours before test, and Levo 24 hours.

TSH = 1.44 ( 0.27 - 4.2,)

T4 = 17.4 (12 - 22) 54%

T3 = 4.8 (3.1 - 6.8) 45.9%

So I've just increased T3 to 10 mcg a day. I'm thinking maybe to increase to 12.5 in another week?

It's difficult, as my prescriber (seems to be overly cautious in my opinion) expects me to stay on 7.5 until end of January when next appointment is.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Cat_bluenote]

6 weeks ago I did increase Levothyroxin to 87 mcg a day. I kept T3 at 7.5mcg

Last T3 was 10 hours before test, and Levo 24 hours.

TSH = 1.44 ( 0.27 - 4.2,)

T4 = 17.4 (12 - 22) 54%

T3 = 4.8 (3.1 - 6.8) 45.9%

Personally I would have first increased Levo to 100mcg after these results and retest 8-10 weeks later

How much do you weigh in kilo?

ESSENTIAL to test and maintain GOOD vitamin levels too

[greygoose]

Not unrealistic at all. All our aches and pains could possibly be due to low T3 - not saying they are, but they could be.

Have you ever had your zinc tested? Low zinc - which hypos often have - can causes terrible muscle pain. Starting zinc was like magic for me - all my aches and pains disappeared almost over-night. So, worth looking into.

[Cat_bluenote in reply to greygoose]

Thanks, I didn't know that. I'll look into it. 👍

[greygoose in reply to Cat_bluenote]

You're welcome.

[Ownedbyamuddyspaniel]

I'm a newbie to thyroid issues but my joint pains resolved with HRT, it's one of the first symptoms that returns if my oestrogen level drops

[Cat_bluenote in reply to Ownedbyamuddyspaniel]

Thanks. I had wondered about HRT . I'd heard other people say that it helps with joint pain, but wondered if I'm too old at 62. I suppose I could ask 🤔

[Ownedbyamuddyspaniel in reply to Cat_bluenote]

Absolutely not too old at 62, finding a GP who is well informed can be a challenge though but you're probably used to that. You may need to consider if HRT has any impact on your thyroid med levels as I've read that it can.

[Cat_bluenote in reply to Ownedbyamuddyspaniel]

Thanks