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Thyrotoxic Myopathy
I'd like to know if untreated long term (30 years) subclinical hyperthyroidism (MNG) can cause thyrotoxic myopathy. The doctor I saw 5 years ago said that I was just mildly hyper and that it couldn't cause my symptoms, which included climbing up the stairs on my hands and knees, difficulty rising from a chair, painful quads, stiffness, loss of shoulder-girdle and pelvic-girdle muscles and muscle cramping. The specialists I've seen haven't been able to find any other cause. My TSH is always between .01 and .09. The SHyper was dx in 1985 when I was only 18. I am now 48.
I suppose I'm looking for validation. I have been treated as if I were a hypochondriac. You can't make up symptoms like these. It's been a horrific 5 years. Oh, and I'm allergic to the methimazole.
I suppose I'm looking for validation. I have been treated as if I were a hypochondriac. You can't make up symptoms like these. It's been a horrific 5 years. Oh, and I'm allergic to the methimazole.
COMMUNITY LEADER
"Thyrotoxic myopathy is a neuromuscular disorder that may accompany hyperthyroidism (Graves' disease, caused by overproduction of the thyroid hormone thyroxine). Symptoms may include muscle weakness, myalgias (muscle tenderness), wasting of the pelvic girdle and shoulder muscles, fatigue, and/or heat intolerance. Thyroid myopathy may be associated with rhabdomyolysis (acute muscle breakdown), damage to the muscles that control eye movement, and temporary, but severe, attacks of muscle weakness that are associated with low blood potassium levels (known as periodic paralysis)."
Is TSH the only test you've ever had done? What about Free T3 and Free T4, which are the actual thyroid hormones? Were you ever tested for Graves Disease? Thyroid Stimulating Immunoglobulin is the definitive test for Graves Disease.
Is TSH the only test you've ever had done? What about Free T3 and Free T4, which are the actual thyroid hormones? Were you ever tested for Graves Disease? Thyroid Stimulating Immunoglobulin is the definitive test for Graves Disease.
Hi!
I've had this thing tested a gadzillion times over the past 30 years so we know it isn't Graves. I went around to all my doctors and requested copies of everything. Over the past 5 years, my TSH was always between .09 and .01, with FT3 normal to slightly elevated and FT4 normal to very low-normal.
It's my understanding that thyrotoxic myopathy is a result of FT3 being too high, such as what is seen in overt hyperthyroidism. I am starting to find research that suggests that the longevity of the thyroid dysfunction factors in as much or more so that the severity of the toxicosis.
What I fail to grasp is how subclinical hyperthyroidism can cause any symptoms at all since the hormones are 'normal'. There is something else at play here and I fear I'll go batty trying to figure it out.
I have several years of suffering and thousands of dollars trying to get a diagnosis for my mystery illness and yet thyrotoxic myopathy fits it absolutely perfectly. They said it can't happen with SHyper. Or can it?
I've had this thing tested a gadzillion times over the past 30 years so we know it isn't Graves. I went around to all my doctors and requested copies of everything. Over the past 5 years, my TSH was always between .09 and .01, with FT3 normal to slightly elevated and FT4 normal to very low-normal.
It's my understanding that thyrotoxic myopathy is a result of FT3 being too high, such as what is seen in overt hyperthyroidism. I am starting to find research that suggests that the longevity of the thyroid dysfunction factors in as much or more so that the severity of the toxicosis.
What I fail to grasp is how subclinical hyperthyroidism can cause any symptoms at all since the hormones are 'normal'. There is something else at play here and I fear I'll go batty trying to figure it out.
I have several years of suffering and thousands of dollars trying to get a diagnosis for my mystery illness and yet thyrotoxic myopathy fits it absolutely perfectly. They said it can't happen with SHyper. Or can it?
Elaine Moore - Hyperthyroidism Disorders Lesson 8 Of 8...
"Hyperthyroidism, especially long-term untreated conditions of both overt and subclinical hyperthyroidism can eventually cause bone loss and muscle weakness."
"The extent and severity of muscle weakness or myopathy tends to be related to the duration of thyrotoxicosis but not its severity."
"Studies show that muscle weakness in thyrotoxicosis is related to low levels of vitamin B6."
"Hyperthyroidism, especially long-term untreated conditions of both overt and subclinical hyperthyroidism can eventually cause bone loss and muscle weakness."
"The extent and severity of muscle weakness or myopathy tends to be related to the duration of thyrotoxicosis but not its severity."
"Studies show that muscle weakness in thyrotoxicosis is related to low levels of vitamin B6."
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