What causes fatigue, low TSH levels and body pain when diagnosed with hypothroidism?

Posted on Sat, 21 May 2016

Question: Hello, my name is XXXX, iam 33 years young, was diagnosed with hypothyroidism when I was 17. Last labs 8 months ago came back with tsh 4.25, after I had severe body aches fatigue and depression. I was on levothyroxine 125mcg, was upped to 150mcg and take iodine 225mcg . Now I stil, have fatigue, not as bad but body started aching get again very bad. I feel horrible.labs now gotten back:Tsh is low 0.25, thyroglobulin antibodies at 1.0, t3 is 31, free t4 1.77, t3 uptake 3.1, t4 10.1, tpo 12, triiodothyronine, free is 3.9. Not sure what to do. Have hormone specialist but he usually asks me what I feel I want to do...it's getting tiring , it interferes with work and private life. Any suggestions on dosage, why my antibodies are 1.0 ?? Thank you and blessings, any help is very appreciated

Answered by Dr. Shehzad Topiwala (33 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Thyroid

Detailed Answer:
Sorry to note how you are feeling.

When you say hormone specialist, I hope you mean you are seeing an endocrinologist. If not, please do so.

Your antibodies seem negative. There is a small chance your thyroid may be able to work on its own. However this determination can be made only by an in-person assessment.
For now, a small reduction in the levothyroxine is advisable.
Iodoral is not recommended for the treatment of an under-active thyroid.

When I see someone like you in my practice, I typically order the following blood tests in addition to a detailed physical examination:

CBC (Complete Blood Count, also known as Hemogram; includes Hemoglobin, WBC and Platelet counts)
Electrolytes (Sodium and Potassium in particular)
HbA1c (Glycosylated Hemoglobin = your 3 month glucose average)
Liver function tests (SGOT , SGPT, Albumin, Bilirubin, Alkaline Phosphatase)
Kidney function tests (BUN, Creatinine)
25 hydroxy Vitamin D
None of these tests require any fasting and can be done at any time of the day

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar