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Can Levothyroxine Cause Stiffness And Soreness In Calf Muscles?
Good Morning - On 8/24 my husband (55 yrs old) was tested and diagnosed with hypothyroidism (TSH: 369.10) and immediatly placed on Levothyroxine (100MCG)medication to lower his TSH level. After a follow-up blood test on 9/21, his TSH level came back at 10.70 and his medication was changed to 112MCG (same brand). Shortly after beginning this medication, he began complaining about stiffness, soreness and tender to the touch of both calf muscles and has difficulty walking up/down stairs as well as normal day to day activities. Upon advising his PCP, he was told you re getting older, you need to slow down . My husband is and always has been quite active and did not have such issues prior to starting this medication. Is it possible that this brand of medication is affecting his calf muscles?
Wed, 24 Feb 2021
Hi,
Levothyroxine is a medication used to treat an underactive thyroid gland or hypothyroidism. This thyroid gland makes thyroid hormone that helps to control energy levels and growth. Levothyroxine is taken to replace the missing thyroid hormone. Levothyroxine treatment stimulates the breakdown of glycogen and glycogenic amino acids into glucose. Under hypoxic conditions, lactate production can cause pain or soreness and stiffness in muscle.
Levothyroxine may cause leg cramps, muscle aches, stiffness and soreness or tender to touch of both calf muscles and difficulty in walking, slow down in movement etc. Other side effects of Levothyroxine are increased appetite, weight loss, heat sensitivity, excessive sweating, headache, hyperactivity, nervousness, anxiety, allergic reactions etc. Again, hypothyroidism itself also can cause muscle and joint problems like joint pain and stiffness etc. In case of such type of side effects, you can consult your doctor first.
Take care. Hope I have answered your question. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards,
Dr. Zubayer Alam, General And Family Physician
Levothyroxine is a medication used to treat an underactive thyroid gland or hypothyroidism. This thyroid gland makes thyroid hormone that helps to control energy levels and growth. Levothyroxine is taken to replace the missing thyroid hormone. Levothyroxine treatment stimulates the breakdown of glycogen and glycogenic amino acids into glucose. Under hypoxic conditions, lactate production can cause pain or soreness and stiffness in muscle.
Levothyroxine may cause leg cramps, muscle aches, stiffness and soreness or tender to touch of both calf muscles and difficulty in walking, slow down in movement etc. Other side effects of Levothyroxine are increased appetite, weight loss, heat sensitivity, excessive sweating, headache, hyperactivity, nervousness, anxiety, allergic reactions etc. Again, hypothyroidism itself also can cause muscle and joint problems like joint pain and stiffness etc. In case of such type of side effects, you can consult your doctor first.
Take care. Hope I have answered your question. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards,
Dr. Zubayer Alam, General And Family Physician
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