Hypothyroid with pain in my borrowed foot.....Read on,you will understand.

[henrythewasp]

When i was first diagnosed with Hypothyroidism i posted about the pain in my right foot that i had.Some months down the line and now on 100 mcg of Levothyroxine and still being tested i still have the pain,my doctor said its because i have a high arch but i don't think that's right.You see i have had this foot since i was born and it didn't cause me any trouble before so to suddenly have a high arch that requires support can't be right as it matches the other one i was born with but that has no problems,please has anyone else had the same kind of trouble and when should it go away...if it does? I am starting to feel my doctor doesn't believe the problems i am having,even given Physiotherapy for back trouble to which i was leaving nearly crippled with pain.

[humanbean]

If you do a web search for "hypothyroidism and foot pain" or "hypothyroidism and sore feet" you will find that the two often go together. I've had foot pain, but only intermittently, so I don't know much about the problem and why it occurs with thyroid problems. Perhaps it will subside once you have been on the correct treatment for a while? Do you feel you are at the right dose of treatment yet? I can't suggest anything that will help, sorry. But hopefully someone else will come along with something sensible to suggest.

[Hidden]

Hi henrythewasp,

I know how you feel, my feet have been excruciatingly painful for 7 years. First the right then 4 months later my left one joined in. A scan I had proved it's not plantar faciitis. My toes where they join my feet are really swollen, the balls of my feet are swollen too. I get burning and nerve pain, for 2 years I could only wear big trainers. I still can't wear my usual shoes, only Clarke's Waves help the pain when walking. Had physio, had orthotics fitted in my shoes, legs splints to stretch calf muscles, nothing has helped. Nearest thing to a diagnosis from a foot doctor is "something systemic" I've been up to 200mcg levo, now taking Armour and T3, nothing has shifted it.

Does this ring any bells? Do you have really tight hard calve muscles?

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK]

Before diagnosis I had what I believe to be plantar fasciitis. That was relieved almost 100% when I got onto a reasonable levothyroxine dose.

I have very high arches. And very wide feet!

Recently I have been feeling something similar but not quite the same - a somewhat duller pain than the original PF. Right foot only. I don't like it but considering that everything I was told to do for PF made it worse, I am not going back to get any further bad advice. However I do use soft diabetic insoles for comfort. They make quiet a difference. The brand I currently use are Diaped.

Rod

[henrythewasp]

Thank you for the replies,Helcaster i don't have hard calfe muscles but i have a sharp pain at the front of my left thigh that only lasts a second and then goes but it feels deep and a sharp burn.I have only just gone up to 100mcg of Levo on thursday,3 days ago and my next bloods are in Feb 2004,i progress up 25 mcg every 3 months so work backwards and you can tell when i started medication on 50mcg.I hope this does get better as it gets worse the longer i am on my feet and i dont think my doctor believes me.

[Hidden]

Oh yes can sympathise! My feet just ache,ache,ache strangely more so really when lying down.toes,balls of feet and back of ankles.had it for good few years.didnt associate it with thyroid at all but it definitely eased somewhat at first on levo but seems to have crept back.

[shaws Administrator in reply to Hidden]

Get a new thyroid gland blood test and post your results with the ranges on a new question for members to comment. I had widespread body pain which resolved when I got to an optimum medication.

[Hidden]

Hubby had 'flat feet' no arch when younger, had rollers to help, but they didn't.

A few years ago it got much worse and he could hardly walk (he was heavier) now it was plantar fascitis (policeman's heel) x-ray showed heel spurs, he wore trainers - had physio (pushing your foot against the stairs to stretch etc) but benefited from ortho inserts and wearing a decent shoe with a slight heel. Trainers were chucked. (did I tease him? yep you bet!)

Helcaster - yes and yes on the calf spaz (better since vit D 'tho) although I had a nasty foot episode after walking round the Eden project in Uggs - threw them too, I need a half inch heel or else just hobble J

(I also had carpal/cubital tunnel pain too eased by Vit D - so could've been tarsal tunnel I suppose)

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

here's a video - probably nothing to do with it but makes me wonder.....

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

[Marz]

I think your problem starts with the back pain you mention - then the pain in your thigh - ummm ! When the muscles are tight or in spasm in the lower back the effect passes down through the legs into the feet. Sciatic nerves travel from the lower back all the way to the feet. I can hear you wondering what I am talking about ! If you sit on the floor - can you put your legs down flat with the backs your heels, backs of the knees - all connecting with the floor. Probably not as your hamstrings are possibly tight or shortened - often happens with guys. So the muscles in the quads and hamstrings are shortened - some of which connect below the knee - in turn these muscles are tight - and have a knock on effect into the feet. Muscles should be long and flexible - the hard muscles in your calves also indicate a problem - they should be soft when relaxed....have you tried magnesium ?

I teach yoga and can see this problem quite often - when people try to straighten their legs and connect with the floor they also suffer cramp - if they have problems with tense muscles. There is a website which shows all the muscles well - bandhayoga.com We have more muscles than bones and mostly it is the muscles that cause issues. Stretched muscles are healthy muscles - as they can relax better.

I have had back and hip surgery too - so have a little experience of where pain begins and ends - and so its important to think about the stretch you are doing and where it begins and ends too Also breath into the stretch and then breathe out....it does make a difference !

Maybe a good strong massage will help - can't wait for the one I have booked this morning !...after my yoga class ! Hope the pain soon goes away....

[henrythewasp in reply to Marz]

Hi Marz, Your reply is very interesting,20 odd years ago i severed my Achilles Tendon so had an operation and months of recovery and physio so could it be down to this? a massage would be a great idea if i could find someone to do it,sounds like heaven.

[Marz in reply to henrythewasp]

....ooh that sounds painful. Could have been the start of your back problems too. Could you put your legs down flat on the floor - just interested ! Part of my research

[henrythewasp in reply to Marz]

Believe me it was painful,worst pain i have ever had in my life.As for your question,no i couldn't put my legs flat on the floor.

[Jackie]

Hi This also may be Diabetes, autoimmune and hormonal. Just in case, make sure you have been tested.

Best wishes,

Jackie

[henrythewasp in reply to Jackie]

Hi Jackie,i was tested for all of these before the pain started but thanks for the reply.

[crimple]

Hi henry, I too have been suffering from terrible pains in my feet (was diagnosed with flat feet as a child, did exercises, no good. Wearing shoes with heels at all times was my cure) The pains I get now are in the balls of my feet and in the toes, as though I am walking on crushed glass. At night in bed I feel as though my feet are on fire and I get pins and needles. I have been having problems with levo dosage (alternating between 75 and 100mcg.)

and wondering if there is an issue with the 25mcg tabs. The pains seem to come and go, sometimes I can "walk" through them other times I have to stop for an hour and then take things slowly. Very annoying if you just want to go for a walk in the sunshine.

Doctor sent me for feet Xray, all normal and I have 12 week wait to see podiatrist! not expecting any joy there.

I have been reading up on B12 and folate, think I need to increase my levels (Vit D levels are good) and as there is pernicious anaemia in the family am wondering if that might be the problem, can be associated with hypo and wheat intolerance which I also suffer from. (good website for pernicious anaemia -not as good as this one though)

I do hope your problems get resolved. The great thing about this site is that there are always others with the same problems and I know that I am not a freak or hypochondriac when I read the other posts

[susymac]

I get pain in my feet, and also have had terrible back problems for years

I was sent to a physio several years ago who told me my back pain was linked to my feet and that my whole body was out of alignment because of it. I then got sent to bio-mechanics who made insoles for my shoes to sort it out. Not worked 100% but its made vast improvements.

This was several years prior to my being diagnosed hypo though I definitely would have been at that time, and also the GP only sent me to a physio to shut me up.

[Hidden]

Well Henry, I can't help you but your post did make me smile.

Did you tell your Dr you had had that foot since birth? Lol

[henrythewasp in reply to Hidden]

Hi Stormyone,I did say that to the doctor but unfortunatly they just look at me in a strange way,i cant help my sense of humour sometimes,i just have to say it.I was once told to come and see the doctor with my foot when i once had atheletes foot,i said can i come without the foot as its a pain and i was just met with deathly silence and a long bewildering glare lol,perhaps i am doing myself no favours.

[beaton]

Well Henry,I know just what you mean. I often look at my feet and wonder if they are the ones I was born with. Sounds like ligaments or tendons which is a problem I have. Hope you get it sorted.x

[henrythewasp in reply to beaton]

Hi beaton,look at my reply above to Marz about my Tendon.

[alangardner]

hiya henry , just a train of thought for you ....as I don't have a thyroid problem myself [ my lady does ] but I have other problems -- spinal arthritis /hip plate etc -- I attended a pain management course [ 4 weeks ] which was brilliant ] ....and one thing that is taught is that when you have a serious back / spine problem your body automatically compensates and allows the opposite side to take the strain when you move / walk etc ......maybe this could be at least part of your foot problem ? ......would be interesting to find out .....hope this is of help .....alan