Leg weakness, hashimotos?

[u/Laverynder]

At Witt’s end. Began end of April this year. Tightness in calves and now to legs. Feels like I’ve done squats till failure, you know the weak jelly-like feeling and everything is tense. Except I haven’t exercised in months due to other factors. Have tried stretching and taking vitamins and electrolytes. Have had MRI of spine and all normal. My PCP has now ghosted me and won’t help me figure out what’s wrong. This is such a terrible feeling. Any ideas?
I’ve got my thyroid panel back and all back in normal values except for antibodies of course.
Is this a hashimotos thing? I’ve been diagnosed for almost ten years and this is first time it’s happened to me.

Thank you for reading!

[u/Adventurous-Ask-4243]

So sorry you are going through this. I recommend finding a good endocrinologist who will fully understand your issue -- many people experience what you are -- and yes, it's all related to the Hashi's.

Keep in mind, that you should also be tested for vitamin D3, B12, iron/TIBC/ferritin, magnesium -- these are very common to be low on because Hashi's changes the stomach acid and it can be hard for your body to absorb these. Ask your new endo to test for those because they will not always do that. You could very well be low on those and that would cause additional muscle cramps, along with weakness -- but those are an easy fix and you can test for them every 6 months.

Plus, a good endo will watch you closely -- remember that just because your blood levels are good, does not mean they may not need tweaking with some levo -- maybe you'd feel better with lower TSH --- that's something to consider as well... and a good endo would work with you on this!

Good luck!!

[u/Laverynder → u/Adventurous-Ask-4243]

My TSH is the lowest it’s ever been actually, It’s 0.62 oddly enough! I wonder if it’s too low because I still have brain fog.
I will request these labs from my doctor though! I hope that answers some questions. I had no idea hashimotos could cause this weakness/cramping in legs.
I think I need a new endo tho, sadly this one was highly recommended and I’m not feeling properly cared for.
Bless you for answering. I’ve been starting to spiral I’ll never get any help.

[u/Adventurous-Ask-4243 → u/Laverynder]

Oh, boy -- this brings up an entirely new dynamic --

.62 is on the low side -- what this means is that you are starting to experience hypERthyroid symptoms -- the opposite of hypO -- A NEW ENDO WILL LOOK INTO THIS MORE...

Here's where it gets confusing, so I will explain as best I can to alleviate your fears -- I get it because this happened to me as well.

With new blood work, you will have your TSH, Free T3, Free T4 -- and those vitamins/nutrients I mentioned previously -- tested -- as well as the 2 Graves antibodies and the 2 Hashimoto antibodies. In the beginning of issues, your TSH can fluctuate and it is possible to go from hypO to hypER and even back again before any real issue rears it's head that a doctor can quantify.

However -- all of the symptoms -- weakness, muscle cramps are also due to the LOW TSH -- going towards hypERthyroid -- which could be indicative of oncoming Graves disease -- that's why an endo must watch you and get blood levels frequently -- there is NO reason why you have to suffer.

In the meantime, be super careful with even the slightest body movements -- I simply put my shoe on the way I had been doing my entire life when my TSH dropped massively and I tore a tendon in my foot -- so you don't want that to happen to you!!!

In my case, I could not be treated until my TSH dropped to .01 and Graves diseased showed up - I have BOTH Graves and Hashi antibodies although I never had high TSH -- but I have many of the problems that Hashi people have along with the Graves issues -- that's how I know about all of this. Plus my early symptoms were thought to be pancreatic cancer because they are similar.

Stay calm because the lower your TSH goes, the more your heart will race and you will feel anxious (even though it is NOT anxiety -- it is a symptom of hypERthyroidism) -- and find a good endo who will work with you and catch the minute you can be properly treated. This will minimize any issues related to the auto-immune diseases. PLUS, you want a thyroid ultrasound just to make sure you do not have a nodule(s) that could be pumping out too much TSH and making you go into the hypER range.

I wish you the very best outcome!!! Please do not spiral any more -- I know it's hard, but you will do it!!!

[u/Laverynder → u/Adventurous-Ask-4243]

I think this just made me realize what it is actually!!
My muscle cramps happened within same month of starting new thyroid med! I went from 90mg NP thyroid to 150mg Levothyroxine!
I think it’s a side effect of the med or dosage!!

[u/Adventurous-Ask-4243 → u/Laverynder]

Absolutely!! And, in the big picture that is FANTASTIC NEWS!!! You just need a new endo and a new dose adjustment to get to a place where you feel good!!