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Thyroid (Expert Forum)

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Hypothyroid with Joint Pain

Answered by

Mark Lupo, M.D. - Thyroid Nodules, Thyroid Cancer, hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism, Thyroid Ultrasound

Thyroid & Endocrine Center of Florida Sarasota - FL

Questions in the Thyroid forum are answered by Dr. Mark Lupo. Topics covered include goiter, graves disease, Hashimoto's thyroiditis, hyperthyroid, hypothyroid, thyroid cancers, thyroiditis, and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH).

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MedHelp Member's Question

Hypothyroid with Joint Pain

by Doreen313, Dec 02, 2005 12:00AM

Tags: hypothyroid, pain, hashimoto's, thyroiditis, thyroid, Joint Pain

Hi. I was diagnosed w/Hashimoto's Thyroiditis this past summer. Meds have been upped gradually to 100/Levothyroxine (synthroid?). Approx 1 wk on the new med and dose, my joints and muscles started to ache. It's been almost 2 mos now; collar bone (lots of pain), shoulders, sides of neck, back of arms, elbows, front of forearms, knees, ankles. Is this from the meds? I've never had this much pain, and was not this bad even before I was diagnosed. The only good thing is my multi-nodular goiter has shrunk down so it is not visibly noticeable. Any ideas why there is so much pain now?

Thanks for any help or comments.

Doreen

Doctor's Answer

by Mark Lupo, M.D.

, Dec 02, 2005 12:00AM

Somewhat unusual for levothyroxine to cause these symptoms as a side effect unless it is too much or too little. Have labs checked and if TSH at goal (usually 0.5-2.0) then consider change to a different brand ( ie to levoxyl from synthroid) - if it continues, you may need to see a rheumatologist for evaluation.

Member Comments (8)

by mshypo, Dec 02, 2005 12:00AM

To: Doreen

This is just an opinion...but I had this happen with me, and i know others who had this experience: some things get better when you start thyroid hormone and some things get worse. the only thing we've been able to figure out is that your body starts using the available hormone to start fixing things in the body...and until you have enough to meet all needs, you may actually have new hypo symptoms appear if the body pulls it to meet other needs. It's a really interesting phenomenom actually.

So if i were you, I'd be wanting to know what my Free levels were and that they were high enough to stop me from having hypo symptoms. I also think Armour Thyroid is a superior medication overall, but that appears controversial on this forum.

by Doreen313, Dec 02, 2005 12:00AM

The last time I had blood work done, the endo told me my "levels were normal with room for improvement". I got that info by mail after he upped the dosage/meds the last time. I go back next week, and I'll talk to him about the aches and pains then. I just didn't know if this is normal... or if it's the start of something else (arrrrggghhh) wrong with me!

I've read about the Armour... not sure if he'd go for that or not.

by mshypo, Dec 02, 2005 12:00AM

To: Doreen

I would ask for a copy of your labs. Many docs just run a TSH test. You might be interested to see what your Free T4 and Free T3 lab (the actual thyroid hormones) are if he's even checking those.

Why wouldn't your doctor like Armour? It's an approved medication and has been in use for over 100 years and is made according to USP standards. It has all the thyroid hormones your own gland has. It even has calcitonin to help your bones. I find it very natural and not like taking a "drug" at all...very smooth.

by Doreen313, Dec 05, 2005 12:00AM

To: mshypo

Thanks for the info. I will definitely ask him about Armour. The pain from my collar bone goes up the side of my neck, and now down my back and shoulder. If the endo doesn't do anything for me, I'm going to make an appointment with my GP. He's the one who referred me to the endo in the first place because of my goiter and bloodwork.

by kaycee75, Dec 06, 2005 12:00AM

A lot of my symptoms seemed to get worse after I started treatment, however, I noticed a lot of subtle improvements and changes with other symptoms. I've been on levothyroxine for about 4 months now and gradually I see improvements. However, I don't know what will happen from one day to the next. Some days seem mostly symptom free and then, like today, I get all kinds of problems... vertigo, headaches, and joint pain out of nowhere.

Good luck to you!!!

by brandie32, Dec 14, 2005 12:00AM

Hi Doreen313. I just had the left side of my thyroid removed for a tumor and cancer. My surgeon had to also kill my right side due to thyroiditis. I am on 50 Levothyroxine, have been since the 2nd week of September. The only thing I ever get told is that my TSH is good (1.22) so he will not up it. I still feel like I did with no levels, that is the fatigue, low libido, decreased appetite, depression, moody and aches in my joints. Now my heart has started having PVC's. I never had any of this before the surgery. From what I have read from other people, I think the joint aches are related, but how do you get the doctors to help. I wanted to go up in medicine to see if the problems would settle, but he says that he doesn't think it is coming from my thyroid. My cardiologist said that the T4 level has a lot to do with the heart rate. Currently, mine is skipping 7-10 times a minute. Atleast I know that I am not alone or imagining these symptoms.

by judys, Aug 09, 2007 01:55PM

To: eveyone

i started the med. for hypo thyroidism 4 months ago and now all and i mean all my boons and joint in my whole body hurt so much.i would litterly goto bed in so much pain and wake up in even more pain.i told my doctor and he is doing blood work done to chrck the leavels out and also chrck for lupuis.but without my doctor noing it i stopped the meds. for the thyroids and i am recoverd,i have no more bone and joint pain.it been 4 days with out it.this morning i woke up and i felt good.at the end of this month i have my doctor appointment an i am going to tell him this what i have told you.maybe he can put me on a differant brand of meds.i was taken levothyroxin.i no i need the thyroid meds.but i rather feel good,and be able to live basicly.

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