My husband had his thyroid removed 8 years ago. Since Christmas he has been suffering severe joint pains in shoulders and legs.

[jclare]

Could this be related to his levothyroxine. His last blood test was summer 2012 and was apparently OK. His GP has put it down to age! He is 62?

[helvella Administrator]

Yes. It could.

I have seen doctors say they would run away from doctors who put things down to age.

Recently I read yet another of those doctor anecdotes:

Older man goes to doctor because his knee is very painful. Doctor examines it and says: "Sorry, it's age."

Man says: "But it's the same age as my other knee which is fine."

But what t do is not so clear. Perhaps the first thing is to get hold of existing blood test results and see what has been happening.

Also, has he changed from one make of levothyroxine to another? When did the pain start?

Rod

[jclare in reply to helvella]

Thanks Rod. No changes to his dose or make. Pains started at Christmas. He is going back to GP (different one this time), so will get last blood results and hopefully will be sent for another one. To be honest the first time he went we hadn't made any connection between the pains and thyroxine (or lack of it). And I guess it too much to expect the GP to think of it.

Jane

[helvella Administrator in reply to jclare]

If not D, how about B12?

8 years of not absorbing quite enough is a long time, but just possible. The potentially high levels of stored B12 can mean that a slight inadequacy of absorption takes an awfully long time to surface,

[RedApple Administrator]

Has Vitamin D been checked? Vit D deficiency often causes joint paint.

[jclare in reply to RedApple]

No nothing checked yet but he has started taking all manner of vitamins (incl D), in the last few weeks. Going back to GP tomorrow so hopefully will get some answers

[shaws Administrator]

What dose is he on. You can add this when you give his latest blood test results, including the ranges as labs differ.

[jclare in reply to shaws]

He is on 175mg per day, he takes dose in morning.

[shaws Administrator in reply to jclare]

Hi, this is a link re thyroid gland removal from Dr Lowe.

web.archive.org/web/2010122...