Hypothyroidism and Tendinitis

[clay_potter]

I have recently been struggling with tendinitis that came out of nowhere.

I have been on Thyroxin for 23 years without any tendon issues although I have chronic fatigue/M.E - without muscle pain.

Yes I am active in my job. I am a potter or ceramic artist. I went to a physiotherapist for help with tennis elbow. She gave me self massage regime plus eccentric exercises to do.

The very basic self massage caused tendinitis in the other elbow! Crazy.

I have been extremely depressed and almost suicidal as I cannot provide my family. I am not truly suicidal don't worry. I have a family that relies on me to provide for so death is not an option.

I have been perplexed as to why I got double tennis elbow out of nowhere so had my thyroid levels tested and I am low TSH the doctor says I am at '6'. he upped my Thyroxin.

I am wondering if my tennis elbow is likely to resolve itself now that my meds have been upped or am I stuck with this horrible pain forever?

[Barb135]

Okay, make sure you get the FREE T3 and FREE T4.  It would also be good if you get tested for thyroid antibodies to determine if you have Hashimoto's Thyroidits, which is an autoimmune disease in which the body sees the thyroid as foreign and produces antibodies to destroy it.

Hashimoto's is progressive, in that it's continually destroying thyroid tissue, until eventually, the thyroid is unable to produce any hormones on it own.  As the destruction of the thyroid gland progresses, your thyroxine dosage will have to b increased periodically to make up for the loss of natural hormones.

You will need to test TSH, Free T3 and Free T4 on a regular basis.  While meds are being actively adjusted, testing is done every 6 weeks, then once levels are stabilized, most doctors recommend testing every 3-6 months, with testing done whenever symptoms appear.  This is to see what adjustment may be needed in medication.  

[clay_potter]

Hi thanks for your reply.

I am feeling better physically and mentally after upped medication.

I do however have now have tendinitis from hypothyroidism.

I am in South Africa. Its possible to get whatever blood test I need - as long as I pay for it myself.

I will get a full thyroid test when I next have my blood test.  

[clay_potter]

Hi thanks for your reply.

I am feeling better physically and mentally after upped medication.

I do however have now have tendinitis from hypothyroidism.

I am in South Africa. Its possible to get whatever blood test I need - as long as I pay for it myself.

I will get a full thyroid test when I next have my blood test.  

[Barb135]

Tendonitis can be a symptom of hypothyroidism and is, typically, resolved once thyroid hormone levels are adequate.

Is TSH the only thing your doctor is testing?  At 6, your TSH was high, rather than low, but your thyroid hormones would have, presumably been low, which is why your doctor increased your thyroxine.

Along with TSH, you should be tested for Free T3 and Free T4.  Those are the actual thyroid hormones, with Free T3 being the one that's used directly by individual cells and which correlates with symptoms, while Free T4 is a storage hormone which must be converted to Free T3 prior to being used.  TSH does not correlate with symptoms, nor it cause or alleviate symptoms.

Are you by any chance in U.K?  If so, you may have a hard time getting the actual thyroid hormones tested, due to the strict guidelines set by NHS.  It can be done, though, so talk to your doctor about it.