Hypothyroid - Doc just taken me off my meds

[missdee1980]

Hi,

I am new here and am looking for a bit of advice.  I was diagnosed as being hypothyroid back in April and have slowly been increased up to 50mcg of Levothyroxine.  I haven't noticed much improvement with my thyroid symptoms but have developed weird aches in my armpits and on the right side of my neck.  I also get random "dead" arm feeling in both my arms at least 3 times a day.  Went to the docs today and he wants me to come off Levothyroxine for 1 month and see what happens.  Has anyone had this kind of problem before and if so what was the outcome?  Hope this makes sense!! :)

[gimel]

This thread is so old that I seriously doubt you will get a response from those members.  If you will please tell us your symptoms and post your test results and references shown on the lab report we will be glad to try and assess your status and provide some answers.  

[Justcusious]

Noticed this was from 2009 and thought by now maybe you could tell me what you found out.  I experience the same thing with no help from meds my Dr acts like its no big deal like we should just play with different meds and see what helps.  Should I get a second opinion?

[missdee1980]

Thanks TamraW :)

To be honest I am not very impressed with my docs.  It's taken 2 years for them to realise what was wrong and I would lay money on them not doing the full blood test (Free t3 & 4) but I will check and post my labs tomorrow.  I am also going to go back for a second opinion (although I hate doing that) and following what you have suggested will ask for further blood tests.  The other issue which is bugging me is when I was 18 I had to have a partial tonsillectomy due to a lump\nodule that was growing on my right tonsil.  This is now the side that is giving me pain!!

[TamraW]

My neck nodes swell. My left armpit node swells, usually accompanied by hives. One time, a node on the back of my head swelled, accompanied by hives. I get the pains in my arms, legs, etc.. My breasts become tender, but that accompanies my menstrual issues.

I have Hashimoto's/hypo.

Besides your T4, T3, and TSH, I recommend the TGab and Anti-TPO tests (Hashi antibodies) as well as an ultrasound of your thyroid. Maybe you have some thyroid nodules causing you pain. I have four nodules, three on my left side, which is the side that usually hurts. I'm on Synthroid and it has made a difference in the neck pain as well as the swollen nodes.

:) Tamra

[missdee1980]

Sorry forgot to say I am 30!

[missdee1980]

It is really weird and I have had it for about 2 months.  It's gradually getting worse.  The pain is mostly a dull ache then i will get a dead (numb) arm feeling (it feels like the blood in my arms has run cold) and they feel heavy. Other than this and the neck pain I do have tender breasts.  I have been taking my temperature as I thought it may be a virus of some kind but it is normal.  

[mtkst13]

you could have a little virus or something?  any virus or infection can make the lymph nodes tender.

myself, i've never heard anyone mention thyroid effecting armpit lymph nodes.  however, thyroid can effect neck lymph nodes.

are you having any other symptoms?  not feeling well?  joint achiness?  breast tenderness?  how old are you?  what happens when you have the arm issues?  can you move your arms?  or is it more of a feeling?

[missdee1980]

I will get my latest labs and post them as soon as possible.  To mtkst13 the pain is in both armpits and also one side of my neck.  I guess my main concern is that I don't feel like my meds have anything to do with this pain and I really don't want to come off them!!  I didn't have this pain as one of my initial symptoms (that lead to diagnosis) my main symptoms were heavy menses, fatigue and weight gain.  Are the Lymph nodes in anyway linked to the thyroid gland and could this be why he is advising I come off meds?  Sorry to bombard you with questions!!

[missdee1980]

Thank you both for responding!

I will get my latest labs and post them as soon as possible.  To mtkst13 the pain is in both armpits and also one side of my neck.  I guess my main concern is that I don't feel like my meds have anything to do with this pain and I really don't want to come off them!!  I didn't have this pain as one of my initial symptoms (that lead to diagnosis) my main symptoms were heavy menses, fatigue and weight gain.  Are the Lymph nodes in anyway linked to the thyroid gland and could this be why he is advising I come off meds?  Sorry to bombard you with questions!!

[missdee1980]

Thank you both for responding!

I will get my latest labs and post them as soon as possible.  To mtkst13 the pain is in both armpits and also one side of my neck.  I guess my main concern is that I don't feel like my meds have anything to do with this pain and I really don't want to come off them!!  I didn't have this pain as one of my initial symptoms (that lead to diagnosis) my main symptoms were heavy menses, fatigue and weight gain.  Are the Lymph nodes in anyway linked to the thyroid gland and could this be why he is advising I come off meds?  Sorry to bombard you with questions!!

[mtkst13]

what are your ft4, ft3, tsh while on the meds?  has the med improved your levels?  sometimes there's a lag between feeling well and having normal labs.

i would think that your armpit pain sounds more like swollen lymph nodes under your armpits?  is the pain under both armpits?  can you feel any nodes there?

[goolarra]

Do you have the results of your latest labs...free T3, free T4 and TSH?  If so, please post them with their reference ranges.  If not, call your doctor and ask for the results and the refeerence ranges of the tests.

It's hard to comment without that information.