Thyroid problems

[Tilly27]

Hi everyone. I'm on leverthyroxine and have been since I was 28 I'm 45 now I recently about 4 years ago had my parathyroid out. I still have pins and needles in my arms legs constant back pain. Confused forgetting things. My doctor hasn't 1 since having this out checked my calcium levels. I keep getting reacurring chest infections I'm worried does anyone else have these problems should I go back to my GPS. Advice appreciated. X

[Clutter]

Tilly27,

How many parathyroid glands were removed?

[Tilly27 in reply to Clutter]

Just the 1 I think I had a golf ball in my throat or that's how it felt so tests were done and it was removed I feel so shocking. I don't have energy for anything I have gone from a size 12 to a 20. X

[Clutter in reply to Tilly27]

Tilly27,

Pins and needles in arms and legs can be due to low calcium or B12 deficiency. Hypothyroid patients can be deficient in ferritin, vitamin D, B12 and folate so ask your GP to test all of them.

There are 4 parathyroid glands so the remaining 3 should be functioning but if calcium result is low your GP should order calcium and parathyroid hormone together to rule out hypoparathyroidism.

If you post your recent thyroid results and ranges I'll let you know whether you are optimally medicated on Levothyroxine.

[Tilly27 in reply to Clutter]

I will do many thanks for your prompt reply x

[bantam12]

As Clutter has said with 3 remaining parathyroids your calcium level should be fine, only a small amount of one gland is usually required to maintain calcium levels. Was the "golf ball" an adenoma on a parathyroid ? If you had hyperparathyroidism it's possible you have another adenoma or rarely there can be a genetic problem affecting all 4 glands.

In hypocalcaemia pins and needles are felt in hands, feet and around the mouth so if your symptoms are more widespread perhaps look at B12 levels.

[Tilly27 in reply to bantam12]

It was a parathyroid I had lymph nodes enlarged around it to they were removed but all clear x

[bantam12]

You need to get calcium and parathyroid levels checked to make sure you don't still have hyperparathyroidism.

[Tilly27 in reply to bantam12]

OK many thanks I will make an appointment once I've changed docs not impressedwith the one I'm at.