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What Causes These Muscle Cramps?
Are cramps associated with hypothyroidism or medication?
The result of my blood test reveal that my thyroids are underproducing and the medication that I was taking was not helping the prob lem. Las week my doctor increased the dosage from .25 mcg to .75mcg. When I told her that I had been taking the medication with food for more than a year, she reduced the dosage to .50 mcg and instructed me to take the levothyroxine tablet before meals.
I did! Now my musle cramps have returned 2-fold. I requested that my doctor change my prescription and prescribe the synthroid as opposed to the levothyroxine (no brand name). Since the synthroid had presented no problems for me when I took it. I have my fingers crossed that this is the problem.
The result of my blood test reveal that my thyroids are underproducing and the medication that I was taking was not helping the prob lem. Las week my doctor increased the dosage from .25 mcg to .75mcg. When I told her that I had been taking the medication with food for more than a year, she reduced the dosage to .50 mcg and instructed me to take the levothyroxine tablet before meals.
I did! Now my musle cramps have returned 2-fold. I requested that my doctor change my prescription and prescribe the synthroid as opposed to the levothyroxine (no brand name). Since the synthroid had presented no problems for me when I took it. I have my fingers crossed that this is the problem.
Cramps can sometimes be related to being hypothyroid still. Do you have any other symptoms? If you will please post your thyroid related test results and reference ranges shown on the lab report, we can better assess your status.
I just had my synthroid up from 50 to 75 and I have started having bad ankle cramps. Don't if it a coincidence but I have been waking up with hurting cramps. What should I do?
Hello,
I know this started in 2010 but it pertains to leg cramps and I'm desperate to get some feedback so I can approach my MD with some questions.
He decided to lower my Synthroid from 1000 mcg to 88 mcg. He had me on 75 mcg but it made me feel terrible so he upped it one level.
I'm experiencing severe feet, calf & thigh cramps at night since it was lowered.
I'm also a T1 Diabetic. Synthroid & Insulin were prescribed in 1984.
These cramps are excruciating. The muscles tighten and it gets so bad I cry out and attempt to get out of bed and walk it off.
Appreciate any feedback.
Kathy
I know this started in 2010 but it pertains to leg cramps and I'm desperate to get some feedback so I can approach my MD with some questions.
He decided to lower my Synthroid from 1000 mcg to 88 mcg. He had me on 75 mcg but it made me feel terrible so he upped it one level.
I'm experiencing severe feet, calf & thigh cramps at night since it was lowered.
I'm also a T1 Diabetic. Synthroid & Insulin were prescribed in 1984.
These cramps are excruciating. The muscles tighten and it gets so bad I cry out and attempt to get out of bed and walk it off.
Appreciate any feedback.
Kathy
COMMUNITY LEADER
It's not unusual for TSH to be very low or suppressed when taking a thyroid medication with a T3 component, such as Armour. The important thing is the Free T3 and Free T4, with Free T3 being most important since that's the one that correlates best with symptoms.
Yes, I know Dyazide and low salt diet are standard treatment for Menieres', but I've also read that in some instances, tubes can be inserted to drain the fluid, or other treatments implemented.
Supplements should not be taken within 4 hours of a thyroid medication, as they can inhibit the absorption of the thyroid med.
Yes, I know Dyazide and low salt diet are standard treatment for Menieres', but I've also read that in some instances, tubes can be inserted to drain the fluid, or other treatments implemented.
Supplements should not be taken within 4 hours of a thyroid medication, as they can inhibit the absorption of the thyroid med.
I am seeing the ENT for the Meniere's. Dyazide, low salt diet are the standard treatment for Meniere's . I was doing really well with the Meniere's on the Dyazide but the muscle cramps were and are such a problem that he halved my dose of Dyazide but after two weeks on half dose, I started felling a fullness in my right ear, becoming sensitive to sound, nauseated, and imbalance when I turn too fast. All symptoms of Meniere's returning. I do eat a banana several times a week.
thanks for your response. I will have labs by the end of the week. The last time I had my labs, about 8 months ago the pattern was the same as I have been running. My TSH is 0.02, very low but my T3 and T4 were in normal range. That was before I started on the diazide. When the spasms first started, I had my electrolytes done and my potassium was normal. I started on Magnesium supplements three weeks ago. I take 100mg chleated magnesium in the morning and at night before bed.
COMMUNITY LEADER
Dehydration is a major cause of muscle cramps, can you carry a bottle of water with you, so you have something to drink at all times?
While supplementing diet with potassium rich foods (don't forget to add baked potato to this list of foods; a small baked potato with skin contains more potassium than a medium banana) is great, potassium supplements, however, should not be used with Dyazide unless your doctor tells you to.
Have you seen an ENT about the fluid in your ear, to see if there's a way to get rid of it, other than the Dyazide?
While supplementing diet with potassium rich foods (don't forget to add baked potato to this list of foods; a small baked potato with skin contains more potassium than a medium banana) is great, potassium supplements, however, should not be used with Dyazide unless your doctor tells you to.
Have you seen an ENT about the fluid in your ear, to see if there's a way to get rid of it, other than the Dyazide?
Are you supplementing potassium with extra servings of bananas, canteloup, spinach, sweet potatoes a few times a week? The diuretic may be causing you to be a little low in potassium and that is causing the cramps. Is there any routine bloodwork needed when on longterm diuretics? If so, might be time for that? I hope you find a solution and fast.
COMMUNITY LEADER
First off, this is a very old thread and your situation would get much more attention if you posted a new thread of your own, rather than attaching to one as old as this.
That said - Do you have current thyroid labs to post, along with reference ranges? That's really the only way we can tell if your thyroid hormone levels are too high. You should be getting tested regularly for Free T3, Free T4 and TSH.
I, too, have severe cramps sometimes; I find that it has more to do with magnesium and potassium levels than with thyroid levels.
For starters, please post actual thyroid hormone levels, with reference ranges, which vary lab to lab and have to come from your own report; we'll go from there.
That said - Do you have current thyroid labs to post, along with reference ranges? That's really the only way we can tell if your thyroid hormone levels are too high. You should be getting tested regularly for Free T3, Free T4 and TSH.
I, too, have severe cramps sometimes; I find that it has more to do with magnesium and potassium levels than with thyroid levels.
For starters, please post actual thyroid hormone levels, with reference ranges, which vary lab to lab and have to come from your own report; we'll go from there.
I would very much like some feedback. I have been on Armour thyroid for more than 15 years. I have had an rare muscle spasm in my neck which I always attributed to a car accident I was in years ago. It has been a weak spot since then. I have been doing well on Armour. But last November I was diagnosed with Meniere's disease and put on Dyazide to decrease the fluid in my right inner ear. I have been suffering from horrible muscle spasms since. They are random, intense and sometimes so painful, I can't move.
I was taking 150 mg of Armour thyroid daily but after starting the dyazide, I started having racing heart, anxiety, inability to sleep, and excess sweating so we decided to drop me back to 120mg. If I understand what I am hearing from everyone, I may be too high still and it is showing up as muscle cramping. The Dyazide really dehydrates me. I try to drink alot of water but I work at a busy hospital and we are only allowed so many breaks a day. My ENT Dr. just halved my dose of Dyazide to see if we could lessen the muscle spasms but in less than two weeks, I can feel the symptoms of Meniere's return. It is frightening. I again have fullness in my right ear, sensitivity to sound and am loosing my balance when I turn too fast. I have got to find a solution to this. I have an appointment with my PCP this coming week. I would like to discuss the possibility that the muscle spasms are thyroid excess related but would like some scientific information to back it up. I have been functioning so well on the thyroid I don't want to compound my problems by changing my dose unnecessarily.
Do I understand correctly? Could my muscle spasms be due to the thyroid and not the dyazide? How will I know for sure. The spasms did lessen for the two weeks that I was on half dose of dyazide.
I was taking 150 mg of Armour thyroid daily but after starting the dyazide, I started having racing heart, anxiety, inability to sleep, and excess sweating so we decided to drop me back to 120mg. If I understand what I am hearing from everyone, I may be too high still and it is showing up as muscle cramping. The Dyazide really dehydrates me. I try to drink alot of water but I work at a busy hospital and we are only allowed so many breaks a day. My ENT Dr. just halved my dose of Dyazide to see if we could lessen the muscle spasms but in less than two weeks, I can feel the symptoms of Meniere's return. It is frightening. I again have fullness in my right ear, sensitivity to sound and am loosing my balance when I turn too fast. I have got to find a solution to this. I have an appointment with my PCP this coming week. I would like to discuss the possibility that the muscle spasms are thyroid excess related but would like some scientific information to back it up. I have been functioning so well on the thyroid I don't want to compound my problems by changing my dose unnecessarily.
Do I understand correctly? Could my muscle spasms be due to the thyroid and not the dyazide? How will I know for sure. The spasms did lessen for the two weeks that I was on half dose of dyazide.
Thats because the settings were set to friends only (unbeknown to me lol) but Ive added you as a Friend xxx
I don't have 'burning' so much as tingling..and it is on my upper back...it is awful!
Thanks
Good to know, this was odd to me.
Your PM even says its not able to do so when trying.
Good to know, this was odd to me.
Your PM even says its not able to do so when trying.
Yes I have had it.
With hypo, I ache...with hyper, its a 'burning sensation'...usually in the legs and under the bottom of my feet.
The only relief I got was wrapping my feet up in a cold wet towel.
It worked too...
Usually it takes a few days for it to disappear after decreasing the meds.
I have also 'skipped a dose' to get rid of that sensation and got labs to follow up.
Its usually the FT3 a bit high.
Dont know why you couldnt PM me???
Will find out.
With hypo, I ache...with hyper, its a 'burning sensation'...usually in the legs and under the bottom of my feet.
The only relief I got was wrapping my feet up in a cold wet towel.
It worked too...
Usually it takes a few days for it to disappear after decreasing the meds.
I have also 'skipped a dose' to get rid of that sensation and got labs to follow up.
Its usually the FT3 a bit high.
Dont know why you couldnt PM me???
Will find out.
I've been hyper for awhile and its taking a long time to 'come down'.
Sounds like you've had the burning sensation. I've lately had it in my face and feet, hot burning feel, (but not numbness). Have you had that like that while hyper? Curios If I'm one of the few, or many, or if its something else. Never liked 'waiting games'.
Tried to PM you, didnt work.
Cramps are usually Hypo and 'burning sensation' is usually Hyper but everyone is different.
As stated above, most likely your med change since it happened at the same time.
There are other reasons too, but start with you thyroid med.
ypo muscle pain can be from low magnessium, potassium, calcium, some even say vit D. Can also be from low T3 levels, needing more med. You may need to up your med and look at freeT3, to get in in the upper third of the range. If you do that and still have cramps, try adding a t3 med to your t4.
There are other reasons too, but start with you thyroid med.
ypo muscle pain can be from low magnessium, potassium, calcium, some even say vit D. Can also be from low T3 levels, needing more med. You may need to up your med and look at freeT3, to get in in the upper third of the range. If you do that and still have cramps, try adding a t3 med to your t4.
Do you know your labs? TSH FT3 and FT4. My muscle cramps most times are because I've gone hypo but some do get the cramps from hyper also. It would help to see your labs.
Some people do better on certain drugs because drug companies use different fillers and dyes... I personally take the Levothroxine and do well. I don't do well on other synthetics.
I'm not certain your Doctor is doing you any favors by increasing then decreasing your meds. It is better to take your meds on a empty stomach and to take them at the same time everyday!!!
Some people can have problems with larger increases such as muscle cramps but I suspect you may have gone hypo from the decrease but you'll need your labs to know for sure.
Some people do better on certain drugs because drug companies use different fillers and dyes... I personally take the Levothroxine and do well. I don't do well on other synthetics.
I'm not certain your Doctor is doing you any favors by increasing then decreasing your meds. It is better to take your meds on a empty stomach and to take them at the same time everyday!!!
Some people can have problems with larger increases such as muscle cramps but I suspect you may have gone hypo from the decrease but you'll need your labs to know for sure.
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