BellaOnline Forums Health and Fitness Thyroid Health thyroid symtoms

I was recently told by a friend that they had hyperthyroidism. They said that they were very sensitive to touch. I have had problems for years with soreness in my shins, etc. My husband has never been able to lay a leg across my legs because of the tenderness. About 4 years ago a doctor told me I have fibromyalgia. This could explain the tenderness in my muscles but then I just read that thyroid problems can also mimic the soreness. I am overweight by about 60 lbs and everything I have tried has failed. I have no energy and I am only 45, can't squat or get up and down from low places because of knee and leg pain, my muscles in my right shoulder and neck burn like crazy and I don't sleep well. Sometimes I feel like a hypercondriac (spelling?). I have had thyroid tests done in the past and have been told they were normal. Do I get checked again or take their word for it? And if it is fibro, what can I do about the muscle pain. I dont want to take more meds if I can help it.

If you want to know for sure if you have thyroid problems find a good endocrinologist. Try going to About.com and look up Thyroid problems (lots of info there), and follow the links. I found a great doctor that way. If you have a thyroid problem he/she will be able to determine that.

Go see a rheumatolgist for the fibromyalgia.

This is the age of specialists. It's just too much information for any one doctor to be able to know it all, especially with new info coming out all the time. Many family practice docs or internists are not that familiar with these conditions. The "normal" hormone levels for thyroid problems are very individual as to what is best for each person. And most women feel MUCH better with TSH levels that are significantly lower than mens. The best thing is just see a specialist. As for fibro, some doctors still think it doesn't even exist. The docs who specialize in those type of problems know that it does.

Some of the symptoms of both conditions are similar. It's also possible to have both.

Good luck,
Claudine Crews

Thank you so much for replying. I did have the thyroid test ran and they were negative. My doc said I was suffering from acid reflux as well as the fibro. I do need to contact a rheumatologist. I haven't been back to the one who diagnosed me in about 2 years.
Thanks again,
Diane