Synthroid and body aches

Suncharm · 08-22-2012, 12:10 PM

I just found out I'm hypo and started on 25mcg of levothyroxine on Friday, I had a fairly active weekend so I didn't think anything of the body aches but they should have been gone by now and I've noticed that after I've napped my body aches are worse, like aches in the muscle and joints.

Is this a normal side effect?

Any idea when I might start to feel better?

Is there an ideal diet? I'm also type 2 diabetic

Emmaline · 08-22-2012, 04:55 PM

I'm not sure if that low a dose would cause side effects, unless your sensitive to one of the ingredients in the tablet. Look at the list on your handout and choose another brand with different ingredients. Some need to take the name brand Synthroid. A lot of doctors won't prescribe generics.

A lot here do well on low carb for diabetes. Check the eating/diet threads on what would be good for you.

Suncharm · 08-22-2012, 07:10 PM

thank you

KeirasMom · 08-23-2012, 09:01 AM

Muscle and joint aches and pains can also be a symptom of your thyroid disease. That's one of the reasons I ended up going to the doctor--because of joint pain. With my other symptoms, I was sure I had Lupus (family history), but it turned out to be TD. "IF" that's what's causing your pain, it should go away as you get your medication optimized.

Suncharm · 08-23-2012, 12:53 PM

I just started this medication on Friday. I called today and the NP said my dose is so low it shouldn't cause these symptoms and that it could be flu or virus related even though I don't have a fever.

She said if I'm still feeling this way on Tuesday to go and get my lab work done early so they can see if they need to make any changes.

Lokarbiebarbie · 08-23-2012, 05:18 PM

It takes six WEEKS for T4 (synthetic levothyroxine) to show up in the blood. And if they are only doing a TSH..than you don't even know what your actual thyroid hormone levels are.

Free T4 and Free T3 show the levels of thyroid hormones. Some people can 'convert' T4 into T3 (if you cannot convert T4 into T3, than you don't get the weight loss, the energy, etc. from the incoming replacement hormone) and some need to add in T3.

It's WAY too soon to tell if you are on the 'right track' with just T4. Usually most are put on a starting dose of 25mcg. (which you are), then checked in about six to eight weeks and then go up to 50mcg. and then checked in eight weeks or so, and so on. It's a LONG process. Even LONGER if the doctor only does TSH and T4.

About eight months after I started being replaced and was given natural thyroid (it has all the same hormone your own thyroid produces) I started feeling well again.

Suncharm · 08-25-2012, 04:15 AM

wow! thank you for explaining this, my next test is TSH and T4, not T3

the good news is the body aches have stopped, I guess it was a flu after all

I haven't seen weight loss, my scale has actually gone up but at least its motivated me to get very strict with my diet.

Suncharm · 08-25-2012, 09:40 AM

well now I know why the scale is going up, I'm retaining fluids

today my hands and feet are swollen, I'm doing all of my natural diuretic tricks, lets hope it works

Lokarbiebarbie · 08-26-2012, 03:58 PM

Some people assume that replacing thyroid hormones makes you lose weight. It's not that way for most of us. Once I was 'replaced to FT3 being over midway of range, TSH below a 1, and FT4 about midway of range (slightly lower)'...I would lose weight by being strict and keeping my carbs under 35net grams a day (also doing a half hour weight workout three times a week and no cardio, cuz all cardio did was raise my insulin resistance).

But, yeah...some retain water badly with synthetic hormones. Make sure you drink plenty of water...I know that sounds 'redundant' but it actually works...to flush off some of the retained water.

Suncharm · 08-29-2012, 09:48 AM

its summer so I'm always diligent about getting enough water but I upped it even more and it really helped with the fluid retention, thank you.

Lokarbiebarbie · 08-29-2012, 11:18 AM

I'm glad that helped you. I don't 'force myself' to get more water in, but do make sure I have at the least about 64 ounces a day...with lowcarb...I'm more thirsty so getting in around 80 ounces isn't a problem.

Suncharm · 10-06-2012, 08:11 PM

just wanted to give an update: three weeks into my new meds I was still feeling tired, much worse, I had joint pain, burning pain in my wrists and elbows. After reading many posts on here, online and after talking to the diabetes educator I saw for my diabetes, I tried an experiment. I cut out gluten. With three days my energy returned. Two weeks later I'm back to full energy levels and most of my aches are gone.

inatic · 10-07-2012, 12:01 PM

nice!

Erin57 · 10-11-2012, 12:40 PM

Good news!! Consider yourself one of the lucky ones. My body is pretty good about letting me know when it has been poisoned. Some folks get no symptoms at all, but the damage is still being done by poor nutrition and chemicals.

My MIL calls me the Mine Canary of the family.

08-22-2012, 12:10 PM	#1
Suncharm Way too much time on my hands! Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 17,113 Gallery: Suncharm WOE: Gluten Free	Synthroid and body aches I just found out I'm hypo and started on 25mcg of levothyroxine on Friday, I had a fairly active weekend so I didn't think anything of the body aches but they should have been gone by now and I've noticed that after I've napped my body aches are worse, like aches in the muscle and joints. Is this a normal side effect? Any idea when I might start to feel better? Is there an ideal diet? I'm also type 2 diabetic

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08-22-2012, 04:55 PM	#2
Emmaline Senior LCF Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 705 Gallery: Emmaline	I'm not sure if that low a dose would cause side effects, unless your sensitive to one of the ingredients in the tablet. Look at the list on your handout and choose another brand with different ingredients. Some need to take the name brand Synthroid. A lot of doctors won't prescribe generics. A lot here do well on low carb for diabetes. Check the eating/diet threads on what would be good for you.

08-22-2012, 07:10 PM	#3
Suncharm Way too much time on my hands! Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 17,113 Gallery: Suncharm WOE: Gluten Free	thank you

08-23-2012, 09:01 AM	#4
KeirasMom Blabbermouth!!! Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Fresno, CA Posts: 7,346 Gallery: KeirasMom Stats: 277.6/155-159/165, 5'9", 40 y.o., Hypothyroid WOE: In Place of a Roadmap Start Date: Maintenance 1/23/13	Muscle and joint aches and pains can also be a symptom of your thyroid disease. That's one of the reasons I ended up going to the doctor--because of joint pain. With my other symptoms, I was sure I had Lupus (family history), but it turned out to be TD. "IF" that's what's causing your pain, it should go away as you get your medication optimized.

08-23-2012, 12:53 PM	#5
Suncharm Way too much time on my hands! Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 17,113 Gallery: Suncharm WOE: Gluten Free	I just started this medication on Friday. I called today and the NP said my dose is so low it shouldn't cause these symptoms and that it could be flu or virus related even though I don't have a fever. She said if I'm still feeling this way on Tuesday to go and get my lab work done early so they can see if they need to make any changes.

08-23-2012, 05:18 PM	#6
Lokarbiebarbie Senior LCF Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: Indiana Posts: 262 Gallery: Lokarbiebarbie Stats: 185/120/125 WOE: Atkins 1972 Start Date: December 2008	It takes six WEEKS for T4 (synthetic levothyroxine) to show up in the blood. And if they are only doing a TSH..than you don't even know what your actual thyroid hormone levels are. Free T4 and Free T3 show the levels of thyroid hormones. Some people can 'convert' T4 into T3 (if you cannot convert T4 into T3, than you don't get the weight loss, the energy, etc. from the incoming replacement hormone) and some need to add in T3. It's WAY too soon to tell if you are on the 'right track' with just T4. Usually most are put on a starting dose of 25mcg. (which you are), then checked in about six to eight weeks and then go up to 50mcg. and then checked in eight weeks or so, and so on. It's a LONG process. Even LONGER if the doctor only does TSH and T4. About eight months after I started being replaced and was given natural thyroid (it has all the same hormone your own thyroid produces) I started feeling well again.

08-25-2012, 04:15 AM	#7
Suncharm Way too much time on my hands! Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 17,113 Gallery: Suncharm WOE: Gluten Free	wow! thank you for explaining this, my next test is TSH and T4, not T3 the good news is the body aches have stopped, I guess it was a flu after all I haven't seen weight loss, my scale has actually gone up but at least its motivated me to get very strict with my diet.

08-25-2012, 09:40 AM	#8
Suncharm Way too much time on my hands! Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 17,113 Gallery: Suncharm WOE: Gluten Free	well now I know why the scale is going up, I'm retaining fluids today my hands and feet are swollen, I'm doing all of my natural diuretic tricks, lets hope it works

08-26-2012, 03:58 PM	#9
Lokarbiebarbie Senior LCF Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: Indiana Posts: 262 Gallery: Lokarbiebarbie Stats: 185/120/125 WOE: Atkins 1972 Start Date: December 2008	Some people assume that replacing thyroid hormones makes you lose weight. It's not that way for most of us. Once I was 'replaced to FT3 being over midway of range, TSH below a 1, and FT4 about midway of range (slightly lower)'...I would lose weight by being strict and keeping my carbs under 35net grams a day (also doing a half hour weight workout three times a week and no cardio, cuz all cardio did was raise my insulin resistance). But, yeah...some retain water badly with synthetic hormones. Make sure you drink plenty of water...I know that sounds 'redundant' but it actually works...to flush off some of the retained water.

08-29-2012, 09:48 AM	#10
Suncharm Way too much time on my hands! Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 17,113 Gallery: Suncharm WOE: Gluten Free	its summer so I'm always diligent about getting enough water but I upped it even more and it really helped with the fluid retention, thank you.

08-29-2012, 11:18 AM	#11
Lokarbiebarbie Senior LCF Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: Indiana Posts: 262 Gallery: Lokarbiebarbie Stats: 185/120/125 WOE: Atkins 1972 Start Date: December 2008	I'm glad that helped you. I don't 'force myself' to get more water in, but do make sure I have at the least about 64 ounces a day...with lowcarb...I'm more thirsty so getting in around 80 ounces isn't a problem.

10-07-2012, 12:01 PM	#13
inatic Way too much time on my hands! Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Alpharetta,Ga. Posts: 17,805 Gallery: inatic Stats: 182+/126 5'4 50!yo 16/4 5 kidlets later! WOE: Coach:Erik Ledin leanbodies consulting Start Date: LowER C since 2/02 wt training 10/15/02	nice!

10-06-2012, 08:11 PM	#12
Suncharm Way too much time on my hands! Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 17,113 Gallery: Suncharm WOE: Gluten Free	just wanted to give an update: three weeks into my new meds I was still feeling tired, much worse, I had joint pain, burning pain in my wrists and elbows. After reading many posts on here, online and after talking to the diabetes educator I saw for my diabetes, I tried an experiment. I cut out gluten. With three days my energy returned. Two weeks later I'm back to full energy levels and most of my aches are gone.

10-11-2012, 12:40 PM	#14
Erin57 Major LCF Poster! Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Nashville, TN Posts: 1,210 Gallery: Erin57 Stats: 220/149/? 5'9" WOE: IF/LC/WW whatever it takes Start Date: April 2010	Good news!! Consider yourself one of the lucky ones. My body is pretty good about letting me know when it has been poisoned. Some folks get no symptoms at all, but the damage is still being done by poor nutrition and chemicals. My MIL calls me the Mine Canary of the family.