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798555 tn?1292787551

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).
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Avatar universal
I was diagnose with hypo since 2016, I was so new in this... still learning day by day! I’m 35 years old... everything was good since this year start feeling pain my left hand and one finger... I heard about Hashimoto, I hope so I don’t have that yet. Thank you for all the information it really help me a lot
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1 Comments
The single most important thing for you is to find a good thyroid doctor.  By that I mean one that will treat clinically (for symptoms) by testing  and adjusting  the biologically active thyroid hormones. Free T4 and Free T3 as needed to relieve symptoms, without being influenced by resultant TSH levels.  Symptom relief should be all important, not just test results.  You can get some useful info from reading at least the first two pages of the following link, and read more if you want to get into the discussion, and scientific evidence for all that is recommended.  

http://www.thyroiduk.org/tuk/TUK_PDFs/The%20Diagnosis%20and%20Treatment%20of%20Hypothyroidism%20%20August%202017%20%20Update.pdf
Avatar universal
I have stopped eating gluten now for over a year and have lost 15 kilograms (about 36 pounds).  More recently a flare up of tendonitis and loose bowels prompted me to try going of milk and other dairy products and since then my tendonitis has improved.  I take T3 and T4.  Apart from weight loss my Cushing's symptoms appear to have waned with some abnormal body hair growth disappearing.  Wart-like growths on my trunk have also disappeared.  My appetite has waned, I have more energy and concentration.  I suspect I have had these food sensitivities all of my life.  I was diagnosed with Hashimotos (with antibodies over one million) in February 1993.  I don't bother with thyroid hormone tests anymore.  How I feel is 'king'.  I respect the opinions of functional medical practitioners such as Doctor Kharazian (sp?) on YouTube and also Dr William Davis, with his talks on the dangers of the modern hybridised wheat.
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649848 tn?1534633700
COMMUNITY LEADER
This is a very old thread and most of the previous posters are no longer active on the forum, so it's hard to say whether any of them will respond or not.  

I see you've posted a new thread of your own, so if you'll post your actual thyroid hormone levels (Free T3 and Free T4, along with TSH) there, we'll be better able to see where you are and possibly make some suggestions as to what you might do to help get better...
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Avatar universal
I hope you signed up for "Obamacare" then? It's a pain but you get a discounted premium if your income is in a certain range. If you're too low you get put on Medicaid.
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Avatar universal
Always wondered about doing rolfing. I am nervous about how painful it is. There is a rolfing school where it's a little more affordable but not sure if that would be as helpful.
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Avatar universal
Are you talking name brand only, or is generic fine too? I used to be on name brand Levoxyl but they had issues and stopped making it for a long time. Don't even know if I can get it again.
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Avatar universal
I have tried a slight increase in my T3 and T4, not to hyper range of course, but did not notice a change in my muscles. My doc wanted me to reduce both again as she said "I had plenty of thyroid hormone circulating in my body".
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Avatar universal
LazyMoose, have you tried using un-denatured whey protein? I read about it on a different site, guy claims it helps by getting the proper form of cystein into cells. I haven't tried it yet, just read it.
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Avatar universal
I just started using a book I found called "Healing Back Pain Naturally" that provides a series of exercises and also discusses the emotional aspects. I picked it up for a buck at a dollar store, but that was a while back. Too soon to say if it will help, but the exercises did relieve my lower back stiffness.
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Avatar universal
I have experienced increasing muscle issues since I had my thyroid removed. Endocrinologists completely unaware of any such thing. Increasing fascial adhesions, causing pain and bones to go 'out' of place, muscle 'seizing', difficulty stretching out and relaxing muscles, all leading to leg and nerve pain. Recently read an idea to use a rolling pin on my legs to break up adhesions. Bought a used one and I think it'll really help! They also suggested using undenatured whey protein to help get cystein into all the cells, which is supp. to help. I am looking into that, along with comparing taking sulphur with undenatured whey. I have spent a lot of money at the chiropractor and massage therapists, otherwise I don't function too well.
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649848 tn?1534633700
COMMUNITY LEADER
This is a very old thread and Kimmydee2 hasn't posted in several years... If you post your own information, maybe we can help you get your doctor's attention to help you get treatment.
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Avatar universal
How did you get a do as you are in normal range. I believe I have a thyroid issue due to having various symptoms but don't know how to get my Drs attention
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Avatar universal
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 ...
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Avatar universal
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.
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Avatar universal
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!
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317787 tn?1473358451
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
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Avatar universal
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.  

  



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14021369 tn?1432562449
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.



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1 Comments
Check out Doctor Kharazian on YouTube
Avatar universal
Please post your thyroid related test results and reference ranges for the last several times you have been tested.  Also, if tested for Vitamin D, B12 and ferritin, please post those as well.  
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Avatar universal
I've been diagnosed about 3 ms. ago with hypothyroidism(not hashi or graves) and as of right now I'm still struggling to find a balance. I have a doctor appointment next week, hope to get some answers. My first symptoms started 16 years ago, and in the last 6 years got really bad, until 6 ms. ago everything came to a complete stop.
Had severe muscle stiffness in my shoulders and hip/back area. About 2 yrs ago I added magnesium (400mg at night) and it helped some. Last year started having really bad pain in the soles of my feet, and when I would get out of bed in the morning I could barely walk, all my joints hurt; like my tendons were gonna snap. I was starting to have carpel tunnel  pain, really creepy all these pains coming out of nowhere. I have this pain shooting down my left leg from the hip to the knee in the back side. I've only been on meds for about  2ms.   very little stiffness in the back/hip area,  the muscle pain is all gone. Before the meds when I would lift weights, I would be sore for 5 days , now is like a normal person should feel. The only one still lingering here and there is the shooting pain in the left leg.  The "dumb" people around me were telling me that is normal to feel pain, that's how it is when you're getting old! still 39
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Avatar universal
I just recently have been diagnosed with Hashimoto's. It started in my legs so at first they thought it was diabetic neuropathy since I am a type 1 diabetic but I wasn't experiencing it in my feet or hands and I wasn't having any swelling. It's like I aged 30 years in a matter of months. Weak muscles, burning muscles, pinching in buttocks, aching burning hips, burning lower back and knees. My bones ache and muscles cramped like crazy. It got to where it was hard to move some days. Couldn't sleep due to the pain. Was a total basketcase. This all happened from Jan 2015 until now. Luckily my Dr got to the bottom of things when he did bloodwork.  I have been started on levothyroxin. Have been on it for a little over a month. The burning in my thighs and kneed has decreased alot so I am hoping it only gets better from here. Went back yesterday and they increased my dose to  88mcg. Hopefully it will only bring more relief because this burning in my back and hips can be something aweful and I cannot take pain medicine. I am only 31. I ended up stepping down from my job bc it just became too much for me. This disease is just so frustrating. I see that not everyone experiences the muscle and joint pain. If you don't, consider yourself blessed. I could deal with the anxiety, depression, thinning hair, ears ringing, loss of taste and constipation but the muscle and joint pain will sometimes leave me laid up for two days in pain if I overdo it and it don't take much to do that since I dont have the energy that I used to. I am hoping to get my joy and my life back.  

***@****
i would like to talk with others living with Hashimotos.
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Avatar universal
Please post your thyroid related test results for the last several times you have been tested.  Also, if tested for Vitamin D, B12 and ferritin, please post those as well.  
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13947525 tn?1432188542
Hi Teresa here. I am 61 years old, partial removal of thyroid at 33. 10 years later got Graves Decease. Got Radio Active tablet to drink, hospitalised and brought out the situation. Got to see a Endocrinologist, and he sorted out the TSH, T3 and T4 levels. I love this dr to bits! I started picking up weight, depressed,  sat around all day, no energy , hair falling out, sore muscles, stiff joints. My medication was increased to 2 Eltroxin daily plus 2 Tertroxins. After feeling very bad in beginning, this changed my whole well being. Then comes the weight, 92kg.. Endo put me on medication to loose weight and 3 months later I joined a gym. Did very well, Endo decreased 2 Tetroxin to 1  due to (Blood results) By the way, I weighed the 85kg and that is after a year on diet medication. I weaned myself off this as side affects was getting to me. Anyway  I am slowly getting back to 92kg , despite gym and spinning classes, and with latest blood results still on 1 Tertroxin, weak muscles, burning sensation on the bridge of my R foot, stifness in joints, my Endo seems to be happy with treatment. Is there ANYBODY out there that can help patients like us.???? Don't forget the endless dry skin, blurred vision. Or, is this ok to live like this?
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2 Comments
Getting off the gluten and lowering my carbs helped me drop from 90kg down to 75kg in the last 12 months.  Ph of the blood may be relevant regarding tendonitis.  Lots of fruit and vegetables should help.
Getting off the gluten and lowering my carbs helped me drop from 90kg down to 75kg in the last 12 months.  Ph of the blood may be relevant regarding tendonitis.  Lots of fruit and vegetables should help.
Avatar universal
numbness in feet only- nerve pain in the other areas mentioned. t4 range .8-1.97.
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