Hypothyroid with possible arthritis, feel such a rubbish mom

[bluebellinthewood]

Hi
I'm a relatively new poster but long term reader. Anyway, I'm a 39 year old mom of 2 boys. They are high energy and still quite demanding ages of 3 &4. I feel quite a bit of mom guilt in that I have hypothyroidism and I always feel very exhausted. I have had it many years and it has been managed fairly well however lately I have felt utterly shattered. I am trying to determine how much of my exhaustion is the kids compared to my thyroid disease as obviously this can cause tiredness and fatigue. Any opportunity I get I try and squeeze a nap in but I feel very guilty and I'm letting down my kids. why do I feel this way.? My GP a few weeks ago has put me on an alternating dose of 150 mg and then 137.5 mg alternating days. I'm really not convinced that this is doing me any favours as I still feel quite awful but there seems to not be much more in the way of treatment that they can try. If I take the full 150 mg it causes me chest pain and palpitations and I feel very erratic so I feel a bit stuck.

In addition to this a few weeks ago I started getting tenderness in the lower palms of my hands along with puffiness and now I have some discomfort In my fingers it feels like it is there all the time but it is not intense pain it's like a dull ache do you think I should ask my GP regarding possible arthritis. Slicing cheese has become a noticeable time I have weakness. I have also been reading up about Prevalence of arthritis in people who have thyroid disease. My father also has suffered with psoriatic arthropathy and is on methotrexate. Could there be a genetic element.? I work three days per week and I positively feel I couldn't do any more at the moment because I'm just so utterly fatigued. I slept well.

Wonder if Anyone else suffers with a thyroid disease as well as possible arthritis.?

Thank you.

I’ve suffered for years with feeling exhausted despite my hypothyroidism being treated. Vitamin D deficiency, low ferritin and B12 deficiency are also common in hypothyroidism patients so it’s worth having those levels checked. They can also cause bone/muscle pains. It’s worth noting that if any of your levels are the low end of normal you could still suffer symptoms as many people with hypothyroidism only feel well in the upper range of normal for ferritin, Vit D & B12.

I do actually have osteoarthritis in my hands, wrists, fingers and neck. Diagnosed with X-rays & ultrasounds. I don’t think lower palm is a typical arthritis point, unless it’s more base of thumb? Anyway it is definitely worth speaking to the GP about your hands, fingers & your increased fatigue. It’s such a pain though as it’s always ‘you’re in normal range’. Or ‘you have young children, it’s only to be expected’. There’s tired then there’s bone achingly, can’t get off the sofa tired. I am under endocrinology at the hospital and they prescribe me T3 (liothyronine) along with my thyroxine. It used to be GP prescribed but due to huge price increases it’s hospital only and very hard to start now. It may be worth asking for an endocrinologist referral though if the GP insists all bloods are normal but you still feel tired.

I’m always tired.

Sorry you’re feeling so unwell OP - Reading your description of the exhaustion, pain, swelling and difficulty cutting up food is exactly how my inflammatory arthritis started. The aching is just miserable!

Definitely worth seeing the GP and yes, there’s always a greater chance of developing further AI diseases if you already have one, and also if family member has one too.

Thank you for very much for your replies. I have asked my GP to refer me to an endocrinologist however they seem hesitant, but they themselves can't seem to manage my condition to a good level. I'm not sure really what I would expect of an endocrinologist although I appreciate the condition is very complex and I'm not convinced the GP is that well up on it. I have walked into my GP surgery today to try and book an appointment and lo and behold they only have book on the day appointments during the school holiday! So I'm not sure when I will get to see the GP I've been dealing with. I will explore other possible options but they just don't seem to be that interested or give you much information regarding why you're still feeling so exhausted when like you say "you're in the normal range ". There is something not right and we are the ones having to live with the with a medical condition that is complex but treatable. As you say when you have young children I feel like you tend to get fobbed off.
I will explore some of what you have shared with my GP and hope she can help me. Up till now it's been reasonably well managed. Thanks again.

Hi,

I would highly recommend you visit the Thyroid UK Health Unlocked forum. They give excellent advice over there. I am sorry you are feeling so terrible. I have hypothyroidism and young children too and the fatigue is so so hard to deal with.

The wrist and finger pain might be carpal tunnel related to your hypothyroidism not being adequately replaced. There is more you can do to get the Levothyroxine dose right. The health unlocked posters will help you if you share your blood results.

Good luck x

Another one who thinks you could be experiencing carpal tunnel syndrome. Is it worse at night? I ended up having 3 carpal tunnel ops without anyone checking my thyroid but they are often linked.

Worsening hypo symptoms accompanied by heart pounding when you try to adjust your dose upwards is often said to be caused by low iron and/or adrenal function. You could try taking iron supplements, and you can get adrenal cortex supplements online (don't get whole adrenal, cortex only). I do find these things help - you might too.

However the only thing that has really helped me, and many others, is getting some T3 into your treatment, as a PP has said.

Good luck , it's miserable being hypo and living half a life.

I am also hypo - congenital
Never really felt ‘well’ always exhausted and cold with similar feelings in hands it comes and goes. I get fobbbed off all the time, levels normal so talking rubbish it’s very frustrating. Definitely push to see an endocrinologist.

Thank you all. I will follow up on all the things you have suggested and hopefully fingers crossed I will see some resolution. You have to remain hopeful!

I wonder if you should also get your calcium levels and PTH checked in case you have hyperparathyroidism.

Consider exploring lupus - another autoimmune condition (if you have one, ie thyroid issues, you’re often likely to develop more). Joint pain and fatigue are the main symptoms.