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What Causes Lower Back Pain And Exhaustion With History Of Thyroidectomy?
Question: One year ago I had a complete thyroidectomy. My life has changed since then. I am exhausted all the time. I am very depressed. My life at times doesn't worth it. I feel awful all the time. I have always been very active and now it's YYYY@YYYY . I see a specialist and take daily meds, but nothing gets better. I have also developed extreme lower back pain. to the point it is difficult to walk at times.
Brief Answer:
Thyroid
Detailed Answer:
Very sorry to learn about your condition.
It is important to ensure that the thyroid is well regulated. Unless you have severe untreated osteoporosis, irregular heart rhythm problems or chest pains from coronary disease then TSH targets are 0.4 to 2.5, with Free T4 in the high normal range.
It is uncommon to see thyroid blood test results in the target range when someone is taking liothyronine.
Thyroid is a complicated field of medicine. Endocrinologists are thyroid experts who can simplify the treatment program. Current best practice for treating an underactive thyroid (such as due to total thyroidectomy as in your case) is to prescribe levo thyroxine alone.
Authoritative guidelines have time and again reinforced the fact that levo thyroxine alone suffices, and there is no role for liothyronine. Few exceptions include severely ill patients who are in a coma-like state where liothyronine may be considered, but even there levothyroxine is preferred.
I acknowledge that you have not felt better since the surgery, anbd that as time goes by you tend to feel worse. I suggest you seek an endocrinoloist who will get you to goal with appropriate doses of levothyroxine. 112 mcg is a reasonable dose, however it needs to be individualized by monitoring blood levels.
In view of your symptoms, when I see someone like you I order a
CBC
CMP
25 hydroxy vitamin D
Low vitamin D levels can cause a variety of symptoms.
The CBC and CMP will give an idea if the liver and kidney function, glucose, calcium and electrolytes are normal.
Thyroid
Detailed Answer:
Very sorry to learn about your condition.
It is important to ensure that the thyroid is well regulated. Unless you have severe untreated osteoporosis, irregular heart rhythm problems or chest pains from coronary disease then TSH targets are 0.4 to 2.5, with Free T4 in the high normal range.
It is uncommon to see thyroid blood test results in the target range when someone is taking liothyronine.
Thyroid is a complicated field of medicine. Endocrinologists are thyroid experts who can simplify the treatment program. Current best practice for treating an underactive thyroid (such as due to total thyroidectomy as in your case) is to prescribe levo thyroxine alone.
Authoritative guidelines have time and again reinforced the fact that levo thyroxine alone suffices, and there is no role for liothyronine. Few exceptions include severely ill patients who are in a coma-like state where liothyronine may be considered, but even there levothyroxine is preferred.
I acknowledge that you have not felt better since the surgery, anbd that as time goes by you tend to feel worse. I suggest you seek an endocrinoloist who will get you to goal with appropriate doses of levothyroxine. 112 mcg is a reasonable dose, however it needs to be individualized by monitoring blood levels.
In view of your symptoms, when I see someone like you I order a
CBC
CMP
25 hydroxy vitamin D
Low vitamin D levels can cause a variety of symptoms.
The CBC and CMP will give an idea if the liver and kidney function, glucose, calcium and electrolytes are normal.
Note: For more information on hormonal imbalance symptoms or unmanaged diabetes with other comorbid conditions, get back to us & Consult with an Endocrinologist. Click here to book an appointment.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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