Finger spasm

[Tiredofitall]

Hi I have been experiencing like a cramp/ spasm in my right hand. My fingers lock together and I must admit it has frightened me. I am currently taking 75 mcg levothyroxine. I have been recently diagnosed ( 12 weeks ) underactive thyroid. Am still waiting for app with endocrinologist. Still feel lousy. Can anybody advise please.

[Spareribs]

Check you vitamin D - not just a vitamin btw

[Marz]

Are you taking any other medication that could be affecting the Levo ?

Do you know your levels of B12 - Folate - Ferritin - VitD. You could be low in Magnesium too ....

Have you researched the Endo ? Most are experts in diabetes and know little about the thyroid 😊

[Treepie]

I know a couple of people whose fingers lock,one had to have an operation.

Neither is hypothyroid.

Your blood should be tested every6-8 weeks and the levo dose adjusted until TSH is around 1 or below and FT4 and FT3 in the upper part of the range.

[Doodeet]

Mine stopped when they added T3 to my NDT thyroid meds. I am on 180 mg of Westhroid and 15 mcg of T3 as generic Liothyronine. I was have foot cramps every night. I could not walk them off. Once it looked my foot was going to flip over so I know how scary it looks. If you are not converting the T4 in your synthetic thyroid medicine (Synthroid, levothyroxine, etc.) to the usable hormone T3, you will need to supplement. Good luck. Also there are muscle cramp concoctions on Amazon. The one I use tastes like vinegar and thank God it is just a small capful! It does stop them in under two minutes though!

[sue_b]

Hi there, I am hypothyroid and have experience of severe cramp in my legs and have a couple of methods that have got it sort of under control I am not medically trained.

For years I used to drink a large glass of tonic water before bed ( quinine in it) and keep a bottle of tonic by my bed ( any type is fine) in case I had forgotten. I found the cramp would wear off within 5 mins or so after a glass of tonic. Without tonic I could be in agony for a long time.

It seemed to go away for a while but this year it came back. As Marz says, magnesium can be an issue and I now take magnesium malate 1250mg most days and the cramps are pretty much under control. When I discussed it with my GP recently she printed off an advice list which confirms these methods although they don't like to prescribe quinine anymore. I don't know how much quinine is in tonic water but it does work.

I do think though that it is a bit unusual to get this in your hand and so wonder whether there is an element of ligament injury. Have you been overworking your hand? I have long-standing carpal tunnel style issues ( which I beleive is a thyroid symptom) and gave myself 'trigger thumb' a few years back by using a hedge trimmer too much. I never got cramp in my hand though.

I would talk to your GP who can test your magnesium levels and assess for ligament issues. I have found I need to be top of range for magnesium ( as I am at the moment) to keep my cramp at bay. Other mineral imbalances can also cause cramp but it tends to be magnesium that we are deficient in. If tonic or magnesium don't work then I would look in to it more thoroughly if it were me. Hope that helps

[Tiredofitall]

Thank you so much for your helpful reply. I am hoping to get app tommorow. I have never experienced symptoms until I was put on levo. I t has really impacted my life. Sorry to moan but even today levels of energy are on the floor, spaced out again , just concentrating to write this is hard.

[foxrabbit in reply to Tiredofitall]

When I first went onto Levo and with every dose increase I've had I have had issues with my hands. Mostly aches, cramps, twitches etc and it always scares me. The latest increase I had it got really bad and I started taking magnesium (Epsom salt baths plus a magnesium oil spray) and I also upped my potassium levels through my diet (bananas and coconut water) and it did the trick! I haven't had any problems since.

[Tiredofitall in reply to foxrabbit]

Thank you for your reply .Will take on board your reccomendations. What a nightmare the thyroid causes.

[Marz in reply to Tiredofitall]

Don't forget to ask for the tests I mentioned above 😊 Are you taking any other medication that could negate the T4 uptake ? Gut issues ?

In your post /thread of 7 days ago you were asked to post your results with ranges. Easier for people to help when we know more !