Suggest Treatment For Severe Muscle Cramps Caused By Hypothyroidism

Posted on Tue, 28 Mar 2017

Question: I get cramps in my calves, running down to my feet, (sometimes just above my left knee as well, which feels like a charley horse), when I sleep. I wake up with these cramps, so bad that I have to walk them off. Drinking water helps them go away as well. This takes up to 10 minutes before the pain subsides. I also feel cold when I wake up with these cramps. Not cold feet; but my whole body feels cold. I have arthritis in my spine, which pinches nerves, causing pain in my chest at the surface level. I don't know if this is related. I have an ileostomy from Crohn's disease. I don't absorb a lot of the food I eat. It just passes through. I eat like I could be 300 lbs, but weigh the same as I did in high school. I have trouble with chronic bronchitis/pneumonia, which occurs a couple of times a year. The cramps have been happening for years, but are now disturbing sleep almost every night. I wake up with them, and have to walk them off, drinking copious amounts of water.

Answered by Dr. Lekshmi Rita Venugopal (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Rule out hypothyroisim, calcium/magnesium deficiency

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thank you for the query at HealthcareMagic

Muscle cramps can occur due to several reasons like thyroid hormone deficiency/Hypothyroidism, Deficiency in calcium, potassium and magnesium levels in the body, Use of certain medications like diuretics ,steroids etc.
Since you are complaining of cold along with with the cramps,I would recommend getting your thyroid levels checked. Since you had an illeostomy before, decreased levels of calcium, potassium or magnesium should also be looked for.

I'd recommend that you consult your primary care physician for further evaluation.
Meanwhile drink plenty of fluids, stretching your leg, warm shower and walking around can help with cramps

Hope I was able to answer your questions.
Please feel free to address any more concerns
Regards and wishing you good health,
Dr.Lekshmi

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T