Carpal tunnel and general unwellness: Hi there I... - Thyroid UK

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Carpal tunnel and general unwellness

Bellaboo2013 profile image
β€’17 Replies

Hi there

I have suffered with UAT for ten years and over the years have become progressively worse. I am a personal trainer and always exercised aware that if I don't I will Gain weight but his has detrimental results as I can't last a day. By 2pm I am broken, my work has been affected and my life in general especially having a 3 year old. More recently I've suffered with carpal tunnel in my right wrist which is basically been dismissed by docs in terms of its relationship to UAT and waiting for an op as extremely painful. More recently my left hand had started to feel painful and display similar symptoms. I take 175mcg Levo per day and wondering if I too could benefit from T3?

I'm feeling that bad that I will happily purchase it from anywhere as I simply cannot go on feeling this way. Breaking point πŸ™

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Bellaboo2013
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Marz profile image
Marz

Do you have your latest blood test results ? Was the FT3 tested ?

Carpal Tunnel can be down to LOW B12 - has your been tested ? Also the Folate - Ferritin and VitD will also need to be requested for testing. Thyroid hormones do not work in the body unless these basics are optimal .... B12 is involved in the Myelin sheath that protects nerves including the nerves that pass through the narrow space in your wrist into your hands ....

Hattie007 profile image
Hattie007

I'm sorry you are feeling so rubbish and it is threatening your career. I completely understand and am still at the beginning of my journey from rock bottom up to wellness. Do you have any recent relevant blood results and their ranges that you can post? TSH, FreeT4, FreeT3, Ferritin, Antibodies, B12, Vitamin D. Others will be able to interpret them based on their vast experience but no judgement can be made as to whether you would benefit from T3 without these. πŸ˜„. Many members pay to have them all done privately using a home finger prick set as GPS won't generally do all of these tests. Good luck and keep reading as much as you can.

Bellaboo2013 profile image
Bellaboo2013 in reply to Hattie007

Thanks for your replies. Do uou know where I can get the finger prick test from? I do take a variety of supplements including serotonin, D3, Vit B12 and cerotine and have just had a blood test so waiting for results.

Thanks again, great to connect with other sufferers. I don't feel quite so alone x

Hattie007 profile image
Hattie007 in reply to Bellaboo2013

There are a number of places. I have used medichecks and blue horizon. Good luck.

Clutter profile image
Clutter in reply to Bellaboo2013

Bellaboo2013,

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/testin...

bantam12 profile image
bantam12

RFU there are many different causes of carpal tunnel problems, mine was worked related.

shaws profile image
shawsAdministrator

I am sorry you are suffering and Carpal Tunnel is a Clinical Symptom of hypothyroidism but the professionals know no symptoms whatsoever and pay no attention and patient suffers unnecessarily.

T3 isn't magical. It can have it's benefits but some people can purchase it but still not feel well.

I think you should start at the beginning and I am assuming your doctor will not do a Full Thyroid Function Test so you may have to get two privately

If you've not had a blood test recently ask for a new one. It should be the very earliest possible, fasting and allow a gap of 24 hours from your last dose of levo and the test and take afterwards.

This allows your TSH to be at its highest as that's all that doctors look at and adjust dose unnecessarily so many times.

If you've had a recent test at the surgery ask for a print-out with the ranges and post on a new question.

Request TSH, T3, T4, Free T4 and Free T4 and thyroid antibodies (if antibodies have never been done). B12, Vit D, iron, ferritin and folate.

The lab may not do FT4 and FT3 if TSH is in range and I'll give a link to recommended labs and a link which explains why we need FT4 and FT3. GPs believe TSH and T4 are sufficient.

The majority on this forum are here because they are still unwell despite taking levothyroxine and many have recovered with advice from members. Many of whom are far more knowledgeable than any who are supposed to be experts.

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/testin...

Always get a print-out of your results with the ranges and post for comments if you need.

Bellaboo2013 profile image
Bellaboo2013 in reply to shaws

I've requested further blood tests but once again, they seem to want to brush over the link between thyroid and carpal tunnel 😑.

I'm also interested in knowing whether the 'Normal' range is the range that actually works or just an indication I as I understand it-everybody is different, therefore, function at different levels which worries me as I know I am not right and my quality of life is affected and more importantly my daughters πŸ™

T4 1.6

Free T3 3.6

Free T4 23

Thanks for your advice x

shaws profile image
shawsAdministrator

This is an excerpt re carpal tunnel symptom from a doctor who was an adviser to Thyroiduk.org.uk before his death.

Dr. Lowe: In clinical practice, Ive seen many hypothyroid patients who had carpal tunnel syndrome. The association between hypothyroidism and carpal tunnel syndrome is well established. Different researchers have reported different percentages of hypothyroid patients with carpal tunnel syndrome. In one study, the percentage was 30%, and in another, 56%. In a study of fibromyalgia patients, 55% had carpal tunnel syndrome. In the general population of women, the reported incidence of carpal tunnel syndrome is about 10%. So, compared to women in the general population, hypothyroid and fibromyalgic patients have a high incidence of carpal tunnel syndrome.

Carpal tunnel syndrome symptoms in hypothyroidism results from swelling of the ligament around the wrist (the flexor retinaculum).

HypoG profile image
HypoG

Hi Bellaboo

3 weeks ago I heard that consultant treating CT advised making sure your hands are straight when you go to sleep. Apparently sleeping with hands curled towards your wrist puts strain on the tendons and can aggravate CT. It takes a week or so to adjust sleeping pose but wow this has made such a positive difference for me! It's a little left of centre i know.. but give it a try - hope it helps you too X

Bellaboo2013 profile image
Bellaboo2013 in reply to HypoG

I currently sleep with splints and have already had a steroid injection which worked for about a week. I've requested further blood tests but once again, they seem to want to brush over the link between thyroid and carpal tunnel 😑.

I'm also interested in knowing whether the 'Normal' range is the range that actually works or just an indication I as I understand it-everybody is different, therefore, function at different levels which worries me as I know I am not right and my quality of life is affected and my daughters πŸ™

T4 1.6

Free T3 3.6

Free T4 23

bantam12 profile image
bantam12 in reply to Bellaboo2013

Bellaboo if your wrists are really bad ask to be referred for surgery, it's a simple op done under local anaesthetic. I had mine done just over a year ago and not had any problems since.

shaws profile image
shawsAdministrator in reply to Bellaboo2013

Always quote the ranges of your blood tests. The reason being that labs differ in their machines and members have a better idea when ranges are quoted.

shaws profile image
shawsAdministrator in reply to Bellaboo2013

I had carpal tunnel syndrome long before I was hypo and exercises given by a excellent doctor solved the problem through his physiotherapist.

Bellaboo2013 profile image
Bellaboo2013

That's good to know thanks. Tl

Marz profile image
Marz in reply to Bellaboo2013

How much B12 are you taking and what was your result before supplementing ? When B12 is below 500 and left under treated it can become a neurological condition - which of course CTS is. When hypo B12 is poorly metabolised in the body ....

Bellaboo2013 profile image
Bellaboo2013

Wow this is really informative info thank you 😊

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