Patient's Query
Hello doctor,
I got my lab results recently. I have an appointment with the thyroid doctor in a week. I am afraid of going to the ER plus I have muscle spasms, body jerks, and confusion. Two days ago, I took a double levothyroxine dose of 125 mcg. Yesterday, I added 5 mcg synthetic T3, maybe a second dose later today.
Of note, I am a no-thyroid. I had Grave's and was on RAI some 26 years ago. Hypothyroidism is apparently co-morbid with undiagnosed neuro but is a known trigger for tetany-like spasms, claw hand, grimacing, body jerks, startle but normocalcemic and no hyperventilation.
The labs are TSH 11.47 mU/L high, total T3 55 mU/L low, free T3 1.99 mU/L low, free T4 0.85 mU/L borderline low, total T4 6.7 mU/L in range. T3U, RT3, TPO, Free Thyroxine Index (FTI), and antibody results are pending. Ferritin 53 ng/mL, Folate 5.75 ng/mL, Vitamin D 22 ng/mL.
Strangely, cholesterol suddenly is very high when it is usually low (same diet/stress/exercise as usual). B12 at 1069 makes me wonder about the liver. Before seeing these lab results, I was going to check liver and kidneys for other reasons.
Please help me with what to do for just a few days.
Thank you.
Hello,
Welcome to icliniq.com.
I just read your query and from what you have mentioned it appears that you have hypothyroidism.
I suggest that you take tablet Levothyroxine 50 mcg once daily keeping in mind your age and based on your weight and lab results.
Consult your specialist doctor, discuss with him or her and with their consent take the medicine. I would not recommend that you double your dose of Levothyroxine at all. Take it slowly. Thyroid does not get better instantly, it takes weeks. Secondly, your muscle spasm is not due to thyroid dysfunction. Do not take any B12 supplements anymore if you are on it.
Hope you find my advice beneficial.
Thank you.
Patient's Query
Hi doctor,
Thank you for your reply.
Please help me understand that if TSH is too high, meaning I need more of something.
I am feeling extremely sick. I realize the muscle spasms are not caused by the thyroid, but when the thyroid is way off, it triggers them and they can be quite disabling. I realize thyroid level changes at a glacial pace, but I am trying anything that might get me off the cliff I am on now. It is so uncomfortable.
I am just trying to avoid going to the ER for these few days. I do not take B12 supplements or any other supplements at present. That is why the lab level was so puzzling.
Kindly answer my queries.
Thank you.
Hello,
Welcome back to icliniq.com.
I understood from your history that you had just recently doubled your dose of Levothyroxine for just two days.
Basically, you did not mention your current daily prescribed dose of thyroxine, so I gave you 50 mcg based on your body weight and age. But now that you said that you are on 125 mcg daily, then it would be appropriate to take 150 mcg once daily.
Consult your specialist doctor, discuss with him or her, and with their consent, take the medicine. Also, I had you check your recent calcium levels because low calcium could also be causing muscle spasms.
I hope it helps.
Thank you.
Patient's Query
Hello doctor,
Thank you for your reply.
Now, that makes more sense. Sorry, I did not include my dosage. I doubled my dose after getting the lab results.
So, T3 will not help, right?
Tetany is normocalcemic, with no hyperventilation. I will not try to solve that here. It is messy.
Please help.
Thank you.
Hello,
Welcome back to icliniq.com.
Yes, T3 is not going to be helpful. It is not recommended according to the guidelines. It is okay. Do not feel sorry. It happens when we have a lot to say but restricted due to typing quickly. As long as you got what you needed that is what is most important.
See you around if needed.
I hope it helps.
Thank you.
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Answered byDr. Shaikh Sadaf
Medically reviewed byiCliniq medical review team
Same symptoms don't mean you have the same problem. Consult a doctor now!
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