question: Hello doctor, I am currently taking only daily Vitamin with a fish oil omega 3 supplement. I am 5'6, 120 lbs, and 42 years old female. About a year ago I started having problems with my neck. After MRI, it was determined I had a degenerative disc at my C4 to C7. I opted for no surgery and decided to go the pain management route. Being on Hydrocodone and getting steroid injections for about a year, I decided to stop cold turkey. I went through withdrawal symptoms and a month back I went to the emergency room because of heart palpitations and chest pains and shortness of breath. (Earlier that day, I went for a 4-mile walk). The EKG and X-ray which came back normal. But the laboratory work showed an elevation of TSH at 6.455. All other lab work was fine but I was a little low in potassium (3.4). Blood pressure was normal as well. The doctor on call suggested that I might have hypothyroidism. My question is could the high levels of TSH be a result of withdrawal from Hydrocodone and if so how long will it take to clear up on its own or do I have a thyroid issue that needs to be taken care of?