Hi everyone, the nerves in my hands and feet are dying, I am worried, going to doctors tomorrow, is this to do with under active thyroid?

[mado]

Is it reversible?

[Heloise]

Hi mado, did they call this neuropathy? I believe it is a hypothyroid problem. Do all of your teeth hurt as well? Do you have the pain associated with it or feeling very cold? I don't know if it can be reversed but there are drugs to help with the pain.

[Fed_up in reply to Heloise]

Hi

I just read your reply

I have had terrible trouble with my teeth aching

I also get a frozen feeling in my ankles that can stop me from getting to sleep

My wrists often ache as well

Is this what you were referring to?

If it is what test do I ask my dr to do?

Had b12 iron folate csr liver kidney tests done. & levels are ok

My iron hasn't been this good for ages which is ironic as 12 mths ago I was getting needles for it

[Hidden in reply to Fed_up]

Just in case my experience helps...

my teeth/jaw pain eased with vit D supplements (teeth always hurt as far as I can remember and dentist sighed in despair at the amount of work I had done - now no fillings for 2 years!)

Also avoided carpal (wrist) and cubital (elbow) tunnel surgery - should have known both sides being affected wasn't 'repetitive strain' (bilateral). Actually all joints hurt & shins very tender to touch - plus to the point of getting a chest x-ray for vice-like rib pain. (Vit D underestimated in controlling calcium for starters).

Any deficiency (irons/B12/VitD etc) should be sorted to ease pain & symptoms and before Thyroid meds can work - J

[Heloise in reply to Fed_up]

Yes, yes. My symptoms, too. I haven't had a blood test lately to see where my T's are but I've been getting these symptoms during the time I knew my FT3 and 4 were barely in range but my B12 and Ferritin were very high. My back has always bothered me so I went for some physical therapy where the doctor told me the cold feet and burning toes were neuropathy. He tested my nerve conduction and gave me an A plus. WHAT? He had given me a prescription for neurontin before the test as he was certain it was neuropathy. Well, my dental pain went away immediately. I didn't even realize that it was the same symptom as my feet. I'm on a low dose of this nerve stablizer which is also antiseizure med. even though he cannot say I have nerve damage at this point. The only thing he said was that there really is no good test for small fiber nerve damage and hypothyroids usually have this sort of problem so maybe that is what it is happening. I know epileptics take this medication but in a much larger dose and it seems pretty safe. I'm glad to be rid of the teeth aches. I'm hoping to get my FT3 higher.

[mado in reply to Fed_up]

No fed-up that's not what was referring to, but you have some helpful response from other people so good luck, hope you feel better sso

[Hennerton]

Have you had B12 tested? You may be deficient, as I believe this is one of the symptoms. Check online for other symptoms and see if it sounds like you. You may need injections, rather than just a supplement but in any case, do not supplement before a test, as it will skew the result.

[shaws Administrator]

Do you have an underactive thyroid gland? Usually people who are hypo also have a low or deficient Vitamin B12 or Vitamin D which both can cause problems.

I hope your GP checks these as well as your ferritin, folate and iron. It will be a worry for you and I also hope GP refers you to a specialist.

[humanbean]

I suffered with peripheral neuropathy some time ago, and although I still have residual problems they are now minor. High dose B vitamins helped me a lot.

[Clutter]

Neuropathy caused by B12 deficiency may be reversed by B12 injections if deficiency is addressed quickly and nerve damage isn't extensive. Schools out on whether oral supplementation will repair nerve damage. b12deficiency.info/what-is-...

[mado]

Thank you all wonderful people. So grateful for your replies which really helped me. Going to doctors now equipped with support from you all. Will report back. Thank you thank you thank you

[Hidden]

B12 deficiency causes pins and needles in a "stocking/glove" pattern, but check on folate deficiency too since some sites say that folate and B12 deficiency symptoms can be very similar. Be aware that some of us - quite a lot of us - have a variety of small genetic defects which can make it difficult for the body to use these B vitamins properly even if we are getting them in the diet or taking supplements containing them. Look at methylcobalmin - a form of B12 which might help if ordinary B12 doesn't (available in the UK off the shelf and on the internet) - and at the various forms of methylfolate (pretty newly available in the UK off the shelf).

The levels of B12 in your blood might be high while the levels in your brain/spine fluid are still low. So if the GP comes back with "your B12 is fine" (and don't forget to get a print out of any blood test results so you can study them yourself) research these methylated variations of B12 and folate and see if you think they are worth a go. Sublingual B12 (tablets you put under your tongue so they absorb straight into the bloodstream) are worth a go in my view, you may have to persevere for a while before you see results.

I have the same problem with pins and needles which started at night times in the arms so that sleep was interrupted and it is now also in the feet and in daytime as well, I am trying 6 months of methylB12 and methylfolate. My blood levels of B12 look fine.

Let us know what happens

[mado]

Hi everyone, been to doctor, she thinks I am dehydrated, I agree as been neglecting water intake. She upped my levo slightly and my diabetes meds.so will see how any of that helps with my symptoms. Glad it's not neuropathy, yeeehhhh .