Hashimoto's and Muscle tightness

[Jennifer_C]

I have been diagnosed with Hashimoto's. My thyroid levels (T4) are within the normal range even though it went from 0.95 last Nov. to 0.82 this March. I have had severe muscle tightness in my neck and shoulders for the past couple of years and it is only getting worse. I have read about muscle cramps being one of the symptoms and was wondering I am the only person out there that is experiancing this. The muscle on the top of my right shoulder feels like a rock and spasms all the time. Please tell me what I can do for this. My Dr. thinks I'm up in the night and has not put me on any meds for thyroid because the levels are still normal.

[Jennifer_C]

Ok I just went and got a copy of all my lab results. Nov. 2005 Free T4 was 0.95 T3 was 93 TSH was 1.33 All normal but my right side of my thyroid still gets bigger. Dr. said retest in 4 months. March 2006 Free T4 0.82 TSH 1.43 also tested Thyroid antibodies Thyroid Peroxidase Ab was >42.9 (normal is 0.0 to 2.0) and the Thyrogloblulin Ab is 37.3 (normal is 0.0 to 25.0) so both are high. No wonder I'm so tired all the time. The Dr said because the thyroid is producing enough hormone that he is not going to put me on meds. I wish he would. I told him what is normal for one person may be low for me. He agreed but still no meds. My shoulder muscles are hard as rocks and I thought I just injured myself or pulled a muscle or something about 2 years ago. But I went to physical theropy and massage theropy and had 2 rounds of 30+ injections of Botox right into the tight muscles and none of that even helped a little. So then I find out that I have Hashimoto's and then it all makes sense but the Dr. won't treat it because the thyroid is producing enough hormone. Never mind that it keeps getting BIGGER. Dr.frustrate me. Any advise would be great.

[Mark Lupo, M.D.]

TSH would be more helpful than T4 levels -- would consider a trial of thyroid meds to see if symptoms improve.  Goal TSH is around 1.0.  Your symptoms may not be thyroid related but a trial of med is worth considering.