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Suggest Treatment For Graves' Disease And Pain After Thyroid Removal
Question: I have graves disease and had my thyroid removed, on 250 mg of thyroxine but suffer extreme leg pain have trouble walking up stairs and lifting my leg. I have had tsh levels tested and they say all ok, but obviously not if the pain is so severe. If I take a lower dose will this help with pain. My thinking is that antibodies are present and this is caused by high dosage.
Brief Answer:
No
Detailed Answer:
Sorry to learn about your leg pain.
Although 250 mcg is a relatively high dose, given that most women need around 112 mcg on an average daily, individual requirements may vary widely.
Some people may not absorb thyroxine well, so the reason for that needs to be investigated. One example is the presence of celiac disease which is also an auto immune condition like Graves disease.
So if your TSH and free T4 test normal then lowering the dose is not the right thing to do. Discuss with your endocrinologist what other potential causes of your leg pain might be. I see very low levels of vitamin D in my patients who have leg pain, for instance.
Moreover, antibodies do not cause leg pain directly. The antibodies in Graves disease are the main cause of the over activity of the thyroid gland. All symptoms in Graves disease are a consequences of thyroid over activity.
The only organ where antibodies have a direct effect are the muscles/fat behind and around the eye ball
No
Detailed Answer:
Sorry to learn about your leg pain.
Although 250 mcg is a relatively high dose, given that most women need around 112 mcg on an average daily, individual requirements may vary widely.
Some people may not absorb thyroxine well, so the reason for that needs to be investigated. One example is the presence of celiac disease which is also an auto immune condition like Graves disease.
So if your TSH and free T4 test normal then lowering the dose is not the right thing to do. Discuss with your endocrinologist what other potential causes of your leg pain might be. I see very low levels of vitamin D in my patients who have leg pain, for instance.
Moreover, antibodies do not cause leg pain directly. The antibodies in Graves disease are the main cause of the over activity of the thyroid gland. All symptoms in Graves disease are a consequences of thyroid over activity.
The only organ where antibodies have a direct effect are the muscles/fat behind and around the eye ball
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Brief Answer:
Follow up
Detailed Answer:
Vitamin D requirement varies from person to person depending on a host of factors including degree of sunlight exposure. The best way to know is to have a blood test taken for Serum 25 hydroxy vitamin D. This test does not require you to fast and can be done at any time.
The result will allow an endocrinologist to guide you whether or not you need supplements.
Insulin resistance in and of itself does not cause leg pain. Endocrinologists are the best qualified type of doctors to evaluate you for this condition and see if metformin is necessary, and if yes, whether dose increases are necessary to help you.
Follow up
Detailed Answer:
Vitamin D requirement varies from person to person depending on a host of factors including degree of sunlight exposure. The best way to know is to have a blood test taken for Serum 25 hydroxy vitamin D. This test does not require you to fast and can be done at any time.
The result will allow an endocrinologist to guide you whether or not you need supplements.
Insulin resistance in and of itself does not cause leg pain. Endocrinologists are the best qualified type of doctors to evaluate you for this condition and see if metformin is necessary, and if yes, whether dose increases are necessary to help you.
Note: For more information on hormonal imbalance symptoms or unmanaged diabetes with other comorbid conditions, get back to us & Consult with an Endocrinologist. Click here to book an appointment.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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