I have been searching for answers. I am a very healthy 40 something woman. I have been having pains in my legs and my doctor rather casually suggested that I try thyroid pills to help, (ironically I was one of the many young girls who was on thyroid pills, went off of them when my doctor at 19 said I didn't need them) that pains radiating down the legs is actually a very classic symptom. A symptom that had me scared to death that I had MS or something! I have not been able to find out much information on what kind of test I should demand he give me before doing this. Earthmama, Herbal remedies to try in the interim? What would stimulate my thyroid gland to work better, and what is it even doing! Thanks for any and all help!

-- No Name This Time (privatethistime@private.com), November 21, 2001

Answers

Tell me-did you have blood tests done before the doctor suggested thyroid pills? If the thyroid level in your blood was low, you may indeed benefit from pills.

If, however, no blood test was done I would see another doctor pronto!!!!

-- terri (hooperterri@prodigy.net), November 21, 2001.

Aren't pains running down the leg(s) a symptom of syatica (sp?), when a nerve has pressure on it in the lower back? Are you definite in that it's a thyroid problem?

-- Rheba (rhebabeall@hotmail.com), November 21, 2001.

Here is what I would do if that happened to me. A simple blood test will tell you if you have any thyroid condition. If it doesn't, than I agree, you should seek another doctor. I also agree that pains in the legs could be the siatic nerve. Pinched. I'd recommend doing the blood work first and then if that proves negative, see a good chiropractor to align your spine. But, these are only things I would do. You should follow your own doctor's advise.

-- Iris (Sar_India@msn.com), November 21, 2001.

I agree that a blood test should be done first. I have hypothroidism. My symptoms were depression, dry skin, brain fog, hair falling out, weight gain, puffy face and fatigue. I did not experience any leg pain though. If the pain is in the buttocks and radiates down the back of the leg, I would suspect sciatica. You might want to go to this site and research thyroid disease: http//thyroid.about.com/

-- Jean (jat@ncis.net), November 21, 2001.

I have hypothyroidism--I take synthroid. My leg pains-sound like yours, radiating down my legs- is caused by endometriosis. And no doctor should be prescribing thyroid hormone with out a TSH level first; taking the pill needlessly can cause hyperthyroidism which is another mess all in itself. If you have medical insurance, they should be requiring that anyway. Now, if it is endometriosis, thyroid pills won't help (or I wouldn't still have them), they'll probably either prescribe a laparoscopy to further diagnose and treat or they'll put you on depo-provera (very effective, but has many possible side effects). MOST IMPORTANTLY--- get properly diagnosed before turning to herbs or homeopathy!!! You can't treat it if you don't know what it is!

-- Dawn (olsoncln@ecenet.com), November 21, 2001.

And check webmd.com--you can do a search on illnesses and the such. Get informed and ask lots of questions.

-- Dawn (olsoncln@ecenet.com), November 21, 2001.

Get a second and third opinion, have a full physical and all associated blood work. Don't forget the pap and Mammogram. As a person who worked in a doctors office I have seen a lot! Never skimp on healthcare! Is it nerve pain or muscle pain? Shooting or dull and throbbing?

-- buffy (buffyannjones@hotmail.com), November 22, 2001.

If there wasn't a blood test done before the doctor decided to put you on thyroid meds I would file a complaint with the AMA/state health commissioner. Believe me, you don't want to screw up your thyroid. The doctors may be able to keep your thyroid levels in a certain range but that doesn't mean that you will feel 'normal'. As far as localized pain associated with hypothyroidism, I don't have any. Every joint in my body aches though but it isn't unbearable.

-- Mike (uyk7@hotmail.com), November 22, 2001.

Yes there was the obligatory urine and blood test during the wait. That was my delima I did not know the name of the test to ask if he ran it, or if there truly was an office quality test that they run on everybody plump with leg pain :), I just kind of doubted it! Thank you to everyone for all the information, I found a chat group on thyroid, which was really nice talking real time, with them. I have the name of the blood test to ask for and will contact this doctor Monday to see what was ran.

Buffy, the pains are sharp, sort of makes me weak in the legs when it happens, but the pains are deep in the butt down the legs like it is in the bone. I am no weakling but have to tell you it can take me to my knees. Then I am fine, Advil or not, in fact planted a tree this evening with not a problem, and it hasn't stopped or happened during my normal chores. Weird. Thanks everyone again.

-- No Name This Time (privatethistime@private.com), November 23, 2001.

Sounds like sciatica to me. I had it once, associated with a back injury. A few weeks of physical therapy and Motrin and it was gone.

-- buffy (buffyannjones@hotmail.com), November 24, 2001.

i agree with the above, but why were you given thyroid meds in the first place? did you actually have a problem?

it does sound like sciatica, but don't go back on the drugs until you have a blood test. any doctor who would recommend thyroid drugs based upon leg pain i would dump.

if you want "natural" rememdies, you might want to look for a good homeopathist. it is also possible you need to clear your system out from drugs you were given and didn't need in the past, which homeopathy is great for. it isn't an herbal cleanse.

do you have other back pain? my husband's sciatica was from a herniated disk. he took the steroids, but we know how to sometimes cure it without. the drugs were fast and easy for him, but made his "drugs are usually evil" wife cringe.

-- marcee (thathope@mwt.net), November 25, 2001.

Hi Marcee, I was on Thyroid pills as a youngester, so was my older sister. That was about 25 years ago :) I am not a pill taker at all though I do some herbal stuff. I am very active and only the normal aches and pains after mucking a barn or something hard. This is why it has me so puzzled, I simply am never sick.

Thanks again everybody!

-- No Name This Time (privatethistime@private.com), November 25, 2001.

Even thyroid tests can be inconclusive, try taking organic kelp as directed on the label of the bottle, and take black cohosh for the sciatic sounding pain.

Kelp is a natural thyroid stimulant, excellent for aging folks and aging pets of all kinds.

-- Annie Miller in SE OH (annie@1st.net), November 26, 2001.

When my thyroid function was very low I had deep cramping pain in my legs. Of course when my thyroid was high I couldn't keep my legs still. Having something wrong with your thyroid affects all parts of your body. T3 T4 and TSH are all tests done for thyroid function. TSH is Thyroid Stimulating Hormone, this checks to see how much hormone your pituitary is pumping out. Good Luck Good Luck

-- BB (johnson337@hotmail.com), November 26, 2001.

What effect does HYPOthyroidism have on your menstrual cycle? Would it contribute to having 40-60 days between periods (for a woman in her early 30's)?

-- Bren (wayoutfarm@skybest.com), November 26, 2001.

I have been on synthroid for some time. It can screw up your mentrual cycles and a lot of other things. Have it checked at least every year and keep your level steady. I ran into a problem a couple of years ago with my pituitary gland also so they can check that also.

-- dee schoettler (abbysnanna@hotmail.com), November 26, 2001.