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Muscle, tendon and joint pain from thyroid, whats your experience?
Not a question. Share your experiences for others. You might learn something. Many thyroid 'newbies' are unaware (docs too) of how thyroid hormones effect body tissue. Some get this as a severe symptom, some almost never. Back, feet, legs, shoulder, wrists (carpel tunnel) , all. A reminder that symptoms vary with autoimmune.
I have self learned a lot on this subject - I had too. And learned acupressure muscle release (trigger point therapy is another name) from books and PT's, that has saved me thousands of dollars, and relived pain, (this is different from acupuncture). I since learned I needed T3, as many do with continuing pain on a T4 only med. Still have some, its a long healing process (years).
I recently spoke to very experienced physical therapist / massage therapist on this subject as she has experience working with Fibro patients and noted some mentioned they had 'wacked' thyroids. She was interested in how thyroid hormones work, symptoms , and, well, now she knows some of what I know, which is better than not knowing.
Many do not realize that what they think is joint pain may not be caused from within the joint, unless there is physical joint damage or Rheumatoid. Referred pain simply means pain felt in a different area from its true origin. Knee, ankle and shoulder pain is usually from tight muscles (nearby or far) pulling on a joint, so that's where you feel it. Loosening the muscle (if it wont stretch) via acupressure or trigger point release can relieve joint and muscle pain.
What brings this up was a recent experience of "burning feet" (new to me and very wierd) from FT4 under the range (totally off) which resulted in a 58 tsh. Another member mentioned burning feet to me with low thyroid levels. At tsh of 24 now, my feet feel better.
So this thread is about others thyoid body pain experience and relieving it, if they have anything to share for others to learn. If you had or still have thyroid body pain, you know how miserable it can be. (Dont get alarmed of my tsh, that is being worked on slowly - another subject altogether).
I have self learned a lot on this subject - I had too. And learned acupressure muscle release (trigger point therapy is another name) from books and PT's, that has saved me thousands of dollars, and relived pain, (this is different from acupuncture). I since learned I needed T3, as many do with continuing pain on a T4 only med. Still have some, its a long healing process (years).
I recently spoke to very experienced physical therapist / massage therapist on this subject as she has experience working with Fibro patients and noted some mentioned they had 'wacked' thyroids. She was interested in how thyroid hormones work, symptoms , and, well, now she knows some of what I know, which is better than not knowing.
Many do not realize that what they think is joint pain may not be caused from within the joint, unless there is physical joint damage or Rheumatoid. Referred pain simply means pain felt in a different area from its true origin. Knee, ankle and shoulder pain is usually from tight muscles (nearby or far) pulling on a joint, so that's where you feel it. Loosening the muscle (if it wont stretch) via acupressure or trigger point release can relieve joint and muscle pain.
What brings this up was a recent experience of "burning feet" (new to me and very wierd) from FT4 under the range (totally off) which resulted in a 58 tsh. Another member mentioned burning feet to me with low thyroid levels. At tsh of 24 now, my feet feel better.
So this thread is about others thyoid body pain experience and relieving it, if they have anything to share for others to learn. If you had or still have thyroid body pain, you know how miserable it can be. (Dont get alarmed of my tsh, that is being worked on slowly - another subject altogether).
My biggest symptom was joint pains. Second one was sluggish body with mild tiredness. The pain is in knees, heel. Shoulder is stiff but not pain as such. In fact, I have discomfort in every joint of mine.
I went to a doctor assuming I have joint issues. He immediately diagnosed me as having osteo-arithritis. His observation was based on the fact that a slight bone spur was seen. This is the right knee where I hurt years ago due to accident. Since he was an Ortho doctor, he was not even thinking about possibility that my joint problem could be due to something else (Hypothyroid) and my joint not being very good is getting aggravated due to that. He asked me to go for a surgery.
I knew deep inside that this is not specifically a joint issue. Since, I can differentiate between local joint pain and pain due to muscle around the joints.
I went to a general physician who immediately diagnosed me having Hypo issue.
I have been taking Thyroxin for almost an year now but my joint pains continue. I would be visiting Endo Dr soon and will let him know my condition and coax him to go for more tests.
ANyway, that's my story ...
I went to a doctor assuming I have joint issues. He immediately diagnosed me as having osteo-arithritis. His observation was based on the fact that a slight bone spur was seen. This is the right knee where I hurt years ago due to accident. Since he was an Ortho doctor, he was not even thinking about possibility that my joint problem could be due to something else (Hypothyroid) and my joint not being very good is getting aggravated due to that. He asked me to go for a surgery.
I knew deep inside that this is not specifically a joint issue. Since, I can differentiate between local joint pain and pain due to muscle around the joints.
I went to a general physician who immediately diagnosed me having Hypo issue.
I have been taking Thyroxin for almost an year now but my joint pains continue. I would be visiting Endo Dr soon and will let him know my condition and coax him to go for more tests.
ANyway, that's my story ...
Wow, this is eye-opening. I've been on Synthroid with basically no relief in my symptoms for 13 years. I've been treated for tendinitis in my wrist, elbow, and severe IT band pain (hips) by physical therapists and it didn't even help much. I hurt (ache) all over at this point. Feet and hip pain is the worst (no arthritis, met with an ortho and he diagnosed tight it band and sent for pt). Also have lower back issues, mainly the SI joint. If I've been sitting in a chair for any length of time it takes about 4 steps before I can stand up straight and walk without limping.
Finally getting my FT3 checked hopefully soon. Maybe I'm low.
Finally getting my FT3 checked hopefully soon. Maybe I'm low.
Hi I had Hoshi's as well, had my thyroid removed, then it started the pain was unbearable. Legs, arms, lower back into my thighs.. I went to MASS General in Boston MA and see a Dr. Wiler. She is amazing! She worked with me and we have a great regiment set up with Levothyroxine and Levothyronnie and ALL of my symptoms have gone.. Speak to your Dr. and insist on a T3 med along with your regular Thyroid med believe me it helps. I had massive pooping issues and they did find I have Chrones but ever since the adjusted my meds all that has gone away as well. Seek the T3 meds if you do not take them yet!
Thank you all for posting, this has been very helpful to me
Barb and Gimel really helped me. I was not taking my thyroid medicine on an empty stomach, just took when ever I thought about it.
Thanks again, Dee
Barb and Gimel really helped me. I was not taking my thyroid medicine on an empty stomach, just took when ever I thought about it.
Thanks again, Dee
Thank you for taking the time to tell us about your progress, at long last.
Usually doctors will at least run a TSH test for a patient with so many symptoms that are typically related to being hypothyroid. That part is usually less of a problem than inadequate testing beyond TSH and the misinterpretation of test results, and inadequate treatment. The reasons behind all that malpratice are lengthy, so I won't get into it right now.
Suffice to say that a good thyroid doctor will treat a hypo patient clinically by testing and adjusting Free T4 and Free T3 (the biologically active thyroid hormones), as necessary to relieve symptoms, without being constrained by resultant TSH levels. Symptom relief should be all important, not just test results, and especially not TSH results. You can get some good insight from reading this site written by a good thyroid doctor. Note the various other subjects on the left margin.
http://www.hormonerestoration.com/Thyroid.html
Also this is a good article written by another good thyroid doctor.
http://www.nahypothyroidism.org/why-doesnt-my-doctor-know-all-of-this/
I am happy that you have improved so much but I want to warn you that 25 mcg of T4 med is not very much. Frequently hypo patients starting on thyroid med find that in response their TSH goes down, and that can diminish output from the thyroid gland, with the end result that levels don't change much until the dosage is raised enough to raise levels of Free T4 and Free T3. Free T3 level is especially important because it correlates best with hypo symptoms.
So about 4-5 weeks after starting on the med, it would be a good idea to go back and re-test and confirm if you need a dose increase. Specifically you should request to be tested for Free T4 and free T3, along with TSH. Note that Free T4 and Free T3 are not the same as Total T4 and Total T3, so make sure they test the Frees, not Totals. Since hypo patients are also frequently too low in the ranges for Vitamin D, B12 and ferritin, make sure they test those also. Low levels can cause symptoms that mimic hypothyroidism. D and ferritin also affect metabolism of thyroid hormone. D should be about 55-60, B12 in the upper end of its range and ferritin should be about 60 minimum for ladies.
When you have new test results if you will please post them, along with ranges, we will be glad to help interpret and advise further.
Usually doctors will at least run a TSH test for a patient with so many symptoms that are typically related to being hypothyroid. That part is usually less of a problem than inadequate testing beyond TSH and the misinterpretation of test results, and inadequate treatment. The reasons behind all that malpratice are lengthy, so I won't get into it right now.
Suffice to say that a good thyroid doctor will treat a hypo patient clinically by testing and adjusting Free T4 and Free T3 (the biologically active thyroid hormones), as necessary to relieve symptoms, without being constrained by resultant TSH levels. Symptom relief should be all important, not just test results, and especially not TSH results. You can get some good insight from reading this site written by a good thyroid doctor. Note the various other subjects on the left margin.
http://www.hormonerestoration.com/Thyroid.html
Also this is a good article written by another good thyroid doctor.
http://www.nahypothyroidism.org/why-doesnt-my-doctor-know-all-of-this/
I am happy that you have improved so much but I want to warn you that 25 mcg of T4 med is not very much. Frequently hypo patients starting on thyroid med find that in response their TSH goes down, and that can diminish output from the thyroid gland, with the end result that levels don't change much until the dosage is raised enough to raise levels of Free T4 and Free T3. Free T3 level is especially important because it correlates best with hypo symptoms.
So about 4-5 weeks after starting on the med, it would be a good idea to go back and re-test and confirm if you need a dose increase. Specifically you should request to be tested for Free T4 and free T3, along with TSH. Note that Free T4 and Free T3 are not the same as Total T4 and Total T3, so make sure they test the Frees, not Totals. Since hypo patients are also frequently too low in the ranges for Vitamin D, B12 and ferritin, make sure they test those also. Low levels can cause symptoms that mimic hypothyroidism. D and ferritin also affect metabolism of thyroid hormone. D should be about 55-60, B12 in the upper end of its range and ferritin should be about 60 minimum for ladies.
When you have new test results if you will please post them, along with ranges, we will be glad to help interpret and advise further.
Hi. I'm new here and would like to share my story. :) I was just diagnosed with hypothyroidism about 2 1/2 weeks ago, prescribed 25 mcg levothyroxine. Due to my right side of the thyroid being swollen and my voice going hoarse for about 8 months now, I was sent for an ultrasound last week. Still awaiting those results. However, in the meantime I want to share my symptoms that I've struggled with for years to the difference of being on the medication for such a short period.
For years I have struggled with so many health issues. None enough to stop me from pushing forward. But enough to make me feel like complete crap, daily.....for years. I had NO IDEA the thyroid played such an important role in my health, mental state and quality of life. I've suffered many of the symptoms, however the past 8ish months, the symptoms have escalated to an all time high. To a point of me thinking "This is it! This is how life is now". I turned 40 this year and really thought this was just a part of getting older.
-Leg cramps and pains for 15 + years -- Acetephetamine was my best friend (several times daily), it's all that helped
-Fatigue- Barely got through the work day, napped daily
-Woke up sluggish every single day
-Unclear, sluggish thinking, not good for working in accounting. My doctor put me on Adderall about a year and a half ago. Yes, it helped with work but I became completely dependent on the energy it gave me to get through every day. 20mg 3 x day
-Anxiety, I was put on Lexapro and Xanax. The Xanax I was taking 1 MG 3 times daily
-For the past year my acne has been terrible. Developed in the weirdest places. Behind the ears, large puss filled acne. On the butt, lower back and waste, upper thigh. Not only did I have pimples, but thick black heads in the buttock area.
-Severe tailbone pain ( I can't say for sure this is associated with the thyroid. But when I read that it was a symptom I figured it was). The pain was so bad that I had to stand at my daughter's games, I couldn't sit in stands even on cushions, couldn't go to the movies and sit, couldn't sit in hard chairs and driving for a long while caused the pain.
-No appetite but yet gained weight like crazy. Just the past two month I've gained 12 pounds. All together, I have no idea but it is a lot.
-So sore that when I got out of bed, it was all I could do to take my first several steps
-Constipation every day
-Dry skin. My heels on my feet, especially the right was so severely cracked that it always hurt, especially when I drove because of the pressure with my foot resting on the heel. This is with me using the dry skin remover tools and pedis often
-Hoarseness, I noticed around last October that my voice started sounding I had some sort of sinus draining hoarseness. It never went away and in fact got worse. My voice was never clear, and I felt like I was constantly needing to clear my throat.
-Eyebrows. What right eyebrow? Especially on the outer edge.
-Menstrual flow has been about 11 days long
SO, now fast forward to 2 1/2 weeks on Levothyroxine. My symptoms have improved or have gone away! The first thing I noticed in the first 48 hours was my energy level. I am SOOOO much more energetic. No naps needed.
-Adderall taking only about 10 mg day now / was at 60 mg
-Xanax taking only 1 mg daily/ was at 3
-Acne- CLEARING UP. For the first time in a long time I am not so ashamed of my backside
-I wake up, thinking clear, ready for the day with ENERGY
-My cracked heels are healing
-I've lost weight, maybe only water weight (not sure), but within two weeks I am wearing my jeans without needing the ponytail holder I was using to fasten the button together for the extra space. One of my capris are too big now
-Voice is not 100% normal yet, but so much less hoarse. Huge improvement.
-Constipation is gone
I'm sure there are more things that I am forgetting, but the important thing is that my quality of life has improved drastically. I am still in such shock that all of this time my problem has been so simple as a thyroid dysfunction.
Why are people not tested for this on a regular basis? I've been getting treated for symptoms of depression, ADD, anxiety. I've been in pain EVERY.SINGLE.DAY. For me to wake up and go to work, get through my day not being medicated on Xanax and Adderall is still taking some getting used to. I depended on them to live, and to not need them now is very weird. I have the mental urge to pop the pills, but I realize I don't need them.
I have been reading how a lot of people have a hard time getting their meds/levels right before they feel better. And I feel so blessed to have felt like I found a "cure" so quickly.
Oh, I haven't done enough research yet to understand the level readings, etc. All I know is my "level" was a 35 when normal is a 9? This is what my doctor told me. I really don't know what that means. I see her again this Friday and will ask some more about that.
So, I'm waiting for my thyroid ultrasound results now. Hopefully that's all fine and this medication keeps doing it's job. It's been almost like a miracle pill for me.
The other day, we were leaving the store and my 16 year old said "I'll race ya to the car". No, I did not win....but a month ago I would have barely been able to walk, nonetheless run through the parking to my car.
I just wanted to share my story and give anyone reading this some hope that there is help out there!
Again, I don't understand why we don't get thyroid tests as our regular routine yearly check up. I've been on medications that have treated my symptoms but not the core problem. I never had any idea that this is what it could have possibly been. I had to ask to be tested. I googled "hoarse voice" one day, saw hypothyroidism and then read the symptoms. THAT WAS ME. That's when I asked to be tested.
Good luck to all! I will update when I find out about my ultrasound results.
For years I have struggled with so many health issues. None enough to stop me from pushing forward. But enough to make me feel like complete crap, daily.....for years. I had NO IDEA the thyroid played such an important role in my health, mental state and quality of life. I've suffered many of the symptoms, however the past 8ish months, the symptoms have escalated to an all time high. To a point of me thinking "This is it! This is how life is now". I turned 40 this year and really thought this was just a part of getting older.
-Leg cramps and pains for 15 + years -- Acetephetamine was my best friend (several times daily), it's all that helped
-Fatigue- Barely got through the work day, napped daily
-Woke up sluggish every single day
-Unclear, sluggish thinking, not good for working in accounting. My doctor put me on Adderall about a year and a half ago. Yes, it helped with work but I became completely dependent on the energy it gave me to get through every day. 20mg 3 x day
-Anxiety, I was put on Lexapro and Xanax. The Xanax I was taking 1 MG 3 times daily
-For the past year my acne has been terrible. Developed in the weirdest places. Behind the ears, large puss filled acne. On the butt, lower back and waste, upper thigh. Not only did I have pimples, but thick black heads in the buttock area.
-Severe tailbone pain ( I can't say for sure this is associated with the thyroid. But when I read that it was a symptom I figured it was). The pain was so bad that I had to stand at my daughter's games, I couldn't sit in stands even on cushions, couldn't go to the movies and sit, couldn't sit in hard chairs and driving for a long while caused the pain.
-No appetite but yet gained weight like crazy. Just the past two month I've gained 12 pounds. All together, I have no idea but it is a lot.
-So sore that when I got out of bed, it was all I could do to take my first several steps
-Constipation every day
-Dry skin. My heels on my feet, especially the right was so severely cracked that it always hurt, especially when I drove because of the pressure with my foot resting on the heel. This is with me using the dry skin remover tools and pedis often
-Hoarseness, I noticed around last October that my voice started sounding I had some sort of sinus draining hoarseness. It never went away and in fact got worse. My voice was never clear, and I felt like I was constantly needing to clear my throat.
-Eyebrows. What right eyebrow? Especially on the outer edge.
-Menstrual flow has been about 11 days long
SO, now fast forward to 2 1/2 weeks on Levothyroxine. My symptoms have improved or have gone away! The first thing I noticed in the first 48 hours was my energy level. I am SOOOO much more energetic. No naps needed.
-Adderall taking only about 10 mg day now / was at 60 mg
-Xanax taking only 1 mg daily/ was at 3
-Acne- CLEARING UP. For the first time in a long time I am not so ashamed of my backside
-I wake up, thinking clear, ready for the day with ENERGY
-My cracked heels are healing
-I've lost weight, maybe only water weight (not sure), but within two weeks I am wearing my jeans without needing the ponytail holder I was using to fasten the button together for the extra space. One of my capris are too big now
-Voice is not 100% normal yet, but so much less hoarse. Huge improvement.
-Constipation is gone
I'm sure there are more things that I am forgetting, but the important thing is that my quality of life has improved drastically. I am still in such shock that all of this time my problem has been so simple as a thyroid dysfunction.
Why are people not tested for this on a regular basis? I've been getting treated for symptoms of depression, ADD, anxiety. I've been in pain EVERY.SINGLE.DAY. For me to wake up and go to work, get through my day not being medicated on Xanax and Adderall is still taking some getting used to. I depended on them to live, and to not need them now is very weird. I have the mental urge to pop the pills, but I realize I don't need them.
I have been reading how a lot of people have a hard time getting their meds/levels right before they feel better. And I feel so blessed to have felt like I found a "cure" so quickly.
Oh, I haven't done enough research yet to understand the level readings, etc. All I know is my "level" was a 35 when normal is a 9? This is what my doctor told me. I really don't know what that means. I see her again this Friday and will ask some more about that.
So, I'm waiting for my thyroid ultrasound results now. Hopefully that's all fine and this medication keeps doing it's job. It's been almost like a miracle pill for me.
The other day, we were leaving the store and my 16 year old said "I'll race ya to the car". No, I did not win....but a month ago I would have barely been able to walk, nonetheless run through the parking to my car.
I just wanted to share my story and give anyone reading this some hope that there is help out there!
Again, I don't understand why we don't get thyroid tests as our regular routine yearly check up. I've been on medications that have treated my symptoms but not the core problem. I never had any idea that this is what it could have possibly been. I had to ask to be tested. I googled "hoarse voice" one day, saw hypothyroidism and then read the symptoms. THAT WAS ME. That's when I asked to be tested.
Good luck to all! I will update when I find out about my ultrasound results.
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