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Back Pain Caused by Synthroid

Synthroid is an FDA-approved synthetic thyroid hormone used to treat hypothyroidism, or slow thyroid. It also goes by the generic name thyroxine. Synthroid is the third most commonly prescribed drug in the United States. According to the American Thyroid Association, Synthroid is taken by 2/3 of patients who are prescribed thyroxine for hypothyroidism.

  1. What Is Hypothyroidism?

    • The Mayo Clinic defines hypothyroidism as a condition in which the thyroid gland doesn't produce enough of certain important hormones. Those hormones are thyroxine (T-4) and triiodothyronine (T-3). When the thyroid doesn't produce enough T-3 and T-4 the metabolism is slowed down. Because of this, hypothyroidism can cause a person to experience cold, fatigue, aches and pains, constipation and depression.

    Synthroid's Function

    • If you have been diagnosed with hypothyroidism, your doctor will prescribe a synthetic thyroid hormone such as Synthroid to replace the hormones that aren't being produced naturally by the body. Patients are generally started on the lowest dosage and have their hormone levels checked after two or three months. Dosage is adjusted as needed. Synthetic thyroid hormones are usually taken for life.

    Side Effects

    • The most common side effects as stated by the makers of Synthroid are: irregular heartbeat, chest pain, shortness of breath, leg cramps, headache, nervousness, irritability, sleeplessness, tremors, change in appetite, weight gain or loss, vomiting, diarrhea, excessive sweating, heat intolerance, fever, changes in menstrual periods, hives and skin rash. Back pain, as such, is not among the common side effects listed by the makers of Synthroid.

    Back Pain

    • Because the symptoms of hypothyroidism can include arthritis-like joint pain and stiffness, as well as muscle aches, tenderness and stiffness, backaches are not uncommon in a person with hypothyroidism. Synthroid, as a treatment for hypothyroidism, usually helps alleviate joint and back pain. While some people may experience an averse reaction to some of the non-active ingredients in Synthroid, there is no explicit connection between Synthroid and new back pain. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not show any link between Synthroid and back pain.

    Expert Insight

    • The American Thyroid Association (ATA) stresses that patients should keep taking whatever brand of synthetic thyroid hormone they were prescribed. The dosage may be adjusted by a doctor, but changing brands or switching to a generic name synthetic hormone could result in adverse medical side effects. The ATA emphasizes that thyroid disease "often requires lifelong therapy and is best managed with consistent and precise treatment." Patients currently taking Synthroid should tell their doctors if they are experiencing new back pain, as it may be a symptom of something else, or their dosage may need to be adjusted.

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