Feeling Weak And Bloated After Increasing Dose For High Cholesterol. What Causes Fatigue And Weakness?

Posted on Thu, 14 Nov 2013

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Thu, 14 Nov 2013 Answered on

Fri, 6 Dec 2013 Last reviewed on

Question : Results: Vitamin D - 27 LDL - 141 WBC 3.9 Lymph 47 Monocytes 3 Neutrophilis (absolute ) - 1.7 I was on 25mcg and recently increased to 50 since my cholestrol is high and my tsh was still at 3.1. Ever since increasing it, I feel very weak with muscled weakness, but my constant belching and bloating are now gone (was diagnosed with gastritis). What is the cause of this fatigue and very weakness?

Answered by Dr. Indu Kumar (1 hour later)

Brief Answer: Dose hike is not related to weakness. Detailed Answer: Hello Thanks for writing to XXXXXXX Fatigue and weakness may be due to altered lipid profile.Lipid profile becomes altered in hypothyroidism.You didn't mentioned complete lipid profile,though mentioned about LDL which is raised.You need medication if Lipid profile is altered.You need single atorvastatin or combination with fenofibrate depends upon profile report. Dose is rightly increased form 25 mcg to 50 mcg.Dose hike is not the cause for weakness,other causes should be searched. Weakness may also be due to other reasons. You need proper clinical examination and investigations. Investigations include routine hemogram,RBS,LFT,RFT,Lipid profile,urine RE/ME,Ultrasound of abdomen,Further investigations may be done if needed. Vitamin D level is also towards lower side.You can take oral powder preparation of vitamin D weekly with XXXXXXX warm milk at night for 8 weeks. Get well soon Hope i have answered your query. Further queries are most welcome. Take Care Dr.Indu XXXXXXX

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Indu Kumar (16 minutes later)

Here are my complete lab results when i was on 25mcg. I felt like this when my dose was increased

Answered by Dr. Indu Kumar (14 hours later)

Brief Answer: Muscle pain and weakness is not due to dose hike Detailed Answer: Hello Thanks for writing back Fatigue and weakness is due to other reasons.It is not related to dose hike of Synthroid. At present You can take multi vitamin tablets and nutritious diet. I have gone through your reports.Your TSH was within normal limit. Dose was probably hiked due to altered lipid profile and you can have repeat lipid profile after six weeks.If lipid profile is not corrected then hypolipidemic drugs should be given.In that case you can take tablet atorvastatin 10 mg after food at night.Then also you need repeat lipid profile after six weeks to see response of atorvastatin.If you have persistent muscle weakness then you can discuss your case with cardiologist.Atorvastatin causes muscle pain as its side effect. You should increase your physical activity in the form of exercise and walking.It is very important in your case.You should also avoid smoking and taking alcohol if you take these stuff. Get well soon. Hope i have answered your query. Further queries are most welcome. Take Care Dr.Indu XXXXXXX

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar