Joint pains getting worse

[sheker]

My recent lab test results are T3,Free (296) and  T4,Free (1.19) are normal.
TSH also increased to 3.18 (before it was 0.05),currently taking 75mcg.
Vitamin D,25-OH,Total is 15 ng/mL( range is 20-100),currently taking  D vit 1000 iu/day since 24 days.

I have severe pains at all joints(Wrist,knee,foot,elbow,arm) and ankle pain.
Also i have muscle pains and bone pains.

I thought that all these becaz of low TSH and D-Vit deficiency.But now my TSH is in the normal range and also taking 1000 iu for D-Vit.

What test left for me  ??
What could be the reason for  my problems ?

[gimel]

Based on the ranges I'm familiar with, your TSH result is over the currently recommended range of .3-3.0, free T3 is at the very low end of its range, and free T4 is just below midpoint.  If I only had these results to go by, I would say you are hypo t.

Please refresh my memory about your prior test results and med levels.  Weren't you on a higher level of med and at a lower TSH previously?

[sheker]

gimel,

Previously i was taking 100mcg levothyroxin (levothyroxine),my PCP reduced to 75mcg,taking 75mcg since last 2 months.now TSH raised from 0.05 to 3.18.

Currently my med levels are Amytriptyline 10mg/day,levothyroxin (levothyroxine) 75 mcg/day and D-Vit 100 iu.

All  my problems bcaz of  Fyabro or  Hypo T  or  some thing else ?

[gimel]

I'd really like to have more information here, but I am sure that you have returned to a hypothyroid state.  Your doctor probably reduced your meds  because of your TSH result.  Patients usually get the best result when their doctor listens to their symptoms and adjusts  meds to get free T3 into the upper part of its range and with a good balance of free T4,  rather than using TSH.  
Has your doctor ever told  you the cause for your hypothyroidism?  Were thyroid antibodies tests done?
If you are talking about fibromyalgia, then you should be aware that it can also be related to hypothyroidism.  

[sheker]

gimel,

Hypo diagnosized 4 yrs back since then my problems started one after one.
Initially only neck pain after that wrist pain,...now spreaded every where.All these started with thyroid.

My doctor never told me the cause for hypothyroidism.But from the very begining he is telling mine is hypothyroid.

I remember my PCP  did ANA bodies test three times.First time it was +ve,2nd time it was -ve and 3rd time the range was in the middle(at border).This test not done since last 1 year ,my PCP told me this is not required since i am not taking any medication for ANA.

[gimel]

Can you get your doctor to add a source of  T3 to your current meds, to try and get your free T3 level up to at least the mid point of the range?

[jetsdreamer]

Have you had your calcium level and your parathyroid levels check? High calcium level will cause severe joint pain. I had to have 2 parathyroids removed when they removed the nodules from my thyroid and after my surgery and on the journey home from the hospital from Florida to Georgia - I was awake the whole time and no pain. What a great feeling. I wander how many people are being missed under fibo and in fact it is the parathyroids.

[Terri627]

Yes, I experience a bit of joint pain myself. It's so frustrating that so many
things seem to come back to that thyroid stuff again. I get a new symptom,
I go see the general practitioner, then referrals, then bam! Back at square 1 and
thyroid. I've decided to blame EVERYTHING that goes wrong on it, even if there
is absolutely no possibility that it's linked. Ok, rant is over. Sorry you are hurting,
but I'm glad you found this forum and so many intelligent people, not me of course,
to help you. Take care!

[stella5349]

You may want to consider looking into some magnesium for the joint pain. That was one of my most painful symptoms I had for a long time.

ANA tests are fine - but you need TPOab and Tgab testing for thyroid antibodies to find out if you have autoimmune hashimoto's.

If your labs are based on a reference scale that I am familiar with - you are very low on Free T3 and Free T4, which leads me to believe your doctor is basing everything soley on the TSH labs. Free T3 is the hormone that eliminates the symptoms of hypothyroidism whether autoimmune or not, but there has to be a regulation of T4 in there also.

Do you have swelling / bloating going on too with the joint pain? The high TSH lab you have could bring this on too, which would tell you that you are still classically hypothyroid.

[sheker]

gimel,stella5349 and jetsdreamer  thanks for your replies.

My physician mentioned T3,T4.calcium level and parathyroid levels are within the range.

My recent lab tests came and D Vit level  increased to 30.This number reached after taking 1000 IU for 45 days.My physician suggested to stop D-Vitamin 1000 IU and gave prescription for D-Vit 1.25 mg.I am in the 2nd week with D-Vit 1.25 mg but my symptoms getting worse  now.

do you think D Vit 1.25mg has less strength than 1000 IU?
Because when i took 1000 IU i got little relief.

need advise .

Thanks
Sheker

[gimel]

I am not really sure about the effect of vitamin D on symptoms such as yours.  I am very sure of what I suggested in my April 27 message.

Based on the ranges I'm familiar with, your TSH result is over the currently recommended range of .3-3.0, free T3 is at the very low end of its range, and free T4 is just below midpoint.  If I only had these results to go by, I would say you are hypo t.

Your doctor reduced your meds based on the assumption that you were hyperthyroid, just because your TSH was below the reference range, and yet you did not have any hyper symptoms.  TSH does not correlate well with symptoms.  A low TSH will not harm you in any way unless it is accompanied by excessive free T3 and free T4 levels, which you did not have.  The best your doctor can do for you is to treat your symptoms, not your TSH.   You will recall that I also previously mentioned the following.

Patients usually get the best result when their doctor listens to their symptoms and adjusts  meds to get free T3 into the upper part of its range and with a good balance of free T4,  rather than using TSH.  Has your doctor ever told  you the cause for your hypothyroidism?  Were thyroid antibodies tests done?

I firmly believe you should discuss all this with your doctor and see if you can get him to  test and adjust free T3 and free T4 as required to alleviate your symptoms, rather than by TSH.

[stella5349]

I also feel that your doctor is basing everything on a TSH lab and soley treating you with medication based only on that reading. You seem to be kept hypothyroid with symptoms based only on the TSH.

The TSH reading is not necessarily the lab all hypothyroid patients should have. Yes, it is important to see the result of this, but when a person is hypothyroid the Free T3 and the Free T4 labs need to balance out too. The TSH is the pitutiary gland feeding the thyroid information to pump hormone ( FT3 and FT4) to the body. The TSH is coming from the pitutiary - not the thyroid.

When your Free T3 levels are low for "you" with labs - the body becomes sluggish . It slows down and many ( dozens) of things can be effected. Many of your "symptoms" you descibe can be clearly linked to to the body not recieving the right thyroid hormones to get things working at the speed they are intended to be for you.

Based on what you are saying - this may be tough for you to discuss with your doctor. How I am reading your information, it sounds like your doctor will be someone who may not want to understand the connection to Free T3 - Free T4 and ridding the symptoms.

This may be a time where you need to start gathering medical - research information, prior to another visit with him and understand what will make you get past those symptoms to return you to better health. I really think you need to push for upping your Free T3 level to get well.

[stella5349]

And respectfully, I know Vit D right now is at the fore front of information. Doctors are biting on this lately as the cure all to many aliments (depression, weight etc etc)  

Vit D is a hormone. I am not sure of all the connections it has with the thyroid.  Yes it's important, but you seem to have your focus on that - vs- what's classically is an under treated thyroid condition.

I'd try to switch my train of thought from Vit D hormone to your thyroid hormones - free T3 and T4.

I think looking at those more closely will eliminate most of your issues.

[sheker]

In my next visit,i will ask my doctor to increase T3 as well.
Also my doctor suggested B12 Vitamin 1000 mcg/day ,doctor checked B12,my B12 level is  205.

thanks
Sheker