Hypo and Muscle Pain

[XanderB]

Greetings all.  It's been a while since I've posted.  Here.  A little background and update.  I had my I-131 treatment done back on March 21st.  I've still not come down to levels where I can start taking synthroid, but I'm a lot lower than I used to be.  

Now onto the issue.  I've noticed that for the past couple of weeks I've been having issues with pulling/straining/cramping muscles.  It'll happen with the most rudamentary of tasks and will cause me quite a bit of pain.  Say just reaching for something can cause a pain in my upper arm or shoulder.  Twisting a bit too far can cause pain in my back.  Even so much as standing up for a period of time can cause my thighs to cramp up.  Is this something to do with the thyroid or should I be looking elsewhere?  I do have a strange mass on my abdomen, and am waiting for the results of the ultrasound I had done last week, so we'll see if that will be a contributing factor at all.  I also remember my mother telling me that her side of the family has always had a potassium deficiency problem, which might also explain this issue.  But any insight into this would be greatly appreciated.

[gimel]

We  always need to know the reference ranges for those tests.  It's important to know where results fall within the reference range.  You can get those from the lab report.  I suggest that you always get a copy of lab reports and note on there how you are feeling at the time and any meds you are taking.  These bits of info are very valuable for future reference.  The doctor is required to give you a copy upon your request.

I'm sure that reference range data will confirm your results as high on the active thyroid hormones, FT3 and FT4.  I wouldn't normally relate your muscle symptoms to those results.  What little I know about the effect of electrolytes such as potassium comes from hearing about all the problems athletes have with muscle cramps/strains due to not keeping their electrolytes high enough.  So that is definitely worth further evaluation.

[stella5349]

acutally the RAI can effect your magnesium levels and most RAI patients need to supplement with a magnesium daily to keep regulated.

The cramps is one of the first signs of this deficiency and should be lloked at ONLY with an RBC magnesium test - blood lab.

Unless specifically RBC mag is not suggested you will possibly get false normal readings and the deficiency will NOT be seem.

RBC tests only

you can also try to take a maintance dose of magnesium citrate 200 mgs to see if your cramping improves. That can then be talked about at your next visit and the doctor could run the lab based off your findings.

[XanderB]

Ding.  My month is up so I need to get the tests done sometime this week heh.  Oh, and here's the numbers they gave me.

Free T3 10.3
Free T4 4.01
TSH 0.007

God help me if I know what any of that means. :P

[XanderB]

Unfortunately my endo did not give me the results of my last test.  All he said was that my levels were still high and to get another test in a month.  I'm going to be giving him a call today to get a reminder for getting that test done, so I'll see if I can prod the information out of them.

[gimel]

It will help members to respond if you will please post your latest lab test results and reference  ranges.