Could withdrawal from Hydrocodone increase TSH levels?

Question

Hello doctor,

I am currently taking only daily vitamin with a fish oil omega 3 supplement. I am 5'6, 120 lbs, and 42 years old female. About a year ago I started having problems with my neck. After MRI, it was determined I had a degenerative disc at my C4 to C7. I opted for no surgery and decided to go the pain management route. Being on Hydrocodone and getting steroid injections for about a year, I decided to stop cold turkey. I went through withdrawal symptoms and a month back I went to the emergency room because of heart palpitations and chest pains and shortness of breath. (Earlier that day, I went for a 4-mile walk). The EKG and X-ray which came back normal. But the laboratory work showed an elevation of TSH at 6.455. All other lab work was fine but I was a little low in potassium (3.4). Blood pressure was normal as well. The doctor on call suggested that I might have hypothyroidism. My question is could the high levels of TSH be a result of withdrawal from Hydrocodone and if so how long will it take to clear up on its own or do I have a thyroid issue that needs to be taken care of?

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I just read your query and from what you have mentioned it appears that you have subclinical hypothyroidism. You do not need any treatment for that currently but you need to repeat your thyroid function tests after six weeks again just to be on the safe side. Yes, you are right. This sub-clinical hypothyroidism could be due to many reasons, such as your neck trauma followed by steroids treatment and sudden discontinuation of that steroid and then suffering from hypoadrenalism which usually happens when you stop steroids suddenly without tapering them off. So, ultimately you just have to give your body time to heal itself. It could take anything from six months to a year to get back to normal, which is usually what has been observed.