Hashimoto's neuropathy, Goitre, normal thyroid ... - Thyroid UK

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Hashimoto's neuropathy, Goitre, normal thyroid results- trying ALA, and magnesium spray for neuropathic symptoms

DaisyBelle85 profile image
23 Replies

Hi all,

Just wanted to ask if any of you suffering from neuropathies have tried magnesium oil spray, and Alpha Lipoic Acid supplements to help treat your condition?

After much trawling around on the internet, I've come across many articles and patient reviews on both of the above, with the overall consensus being that there was a significant improvement in neuropathic pains and conditions after using them.

The Alpha Lipoic Acid (ALA) is commonly used in diabetic neurpathies at 600mg per day, and there have been non diabetics who have also done the same.

I have taken a 600mg dose this afternoon, and sprayed the magnesium oil in my affected areas (Right hand, Left foot) and about an hour later I did feel a vast improvement in my foot, and noticeable difference in my hand. It's been a few hours now and the pain in my hand has suddenly increased, as well the prickling senstations, and I can't help but start to panic, as this was how my initial symptoms began.

My question is, can these supplements make my condition worse?

Thanks

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DaisyBelle85
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23 Replies
DaisyBelle85 profile image
DaisyBelle85

Thank you for your response Londonium.

I've decided to go back to my gluten free and low carb diet, and will be reducing my sugar intake too. In the meantime, I thought that introducing some supplements may also help.

So far I've added:

Vitamin D

Iron

Magnesium spray

Alpha Lipoic Acid

I'm hoping this will help improve my neuropathies.

greygoose profile image
greygoose

How is your B12?

DaisyBelle85 profile image
DaisyBelle85 in reply to greygoose

It's pretty normal, last test was 621.5 (197- 771)

Pretty much all my tests came back normal. I have questioned my phosphate levels though that were 0.74 (0.87- 1.45)

Vitamin D was 11 and ferritin was 28 (13-150) and Thyroid antibodies 250

Nothing was significant enough for the Drs to attribute it to my neuropathies, or even provide me with precise diagnosis, hence me now trying to find answers.

DaisyBelle85 profile image
DaisyBelle85

My Vit D levels were dire, at 11. I'm taking the maximum strength ampoules once every two weeks.

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator in reply to DaisyBelle85

You might find daily Vitamin D mouth spray gives improved absorption

Better You do 3000iu spray or can also choose one that includes vitamin K2

DaisyBelle85 profile image
DaisyBelle85

I've had numerous tests, scans, and nerve conduction studies, from which they concluded that I have mononeuritis multiplex. It's affected my right hand, giving me carpal tunnel like numbness and pains, as well as my left foot.

The doctors weren't able to say what is causing this, and suggested I start steriods and immunosuppressants to try treat it, even though they have agreed that I don't technically have an autoimmune condition, nor do my test results suggest inflammation in my body.

The only results that suggested anything was amiss was my thyroid antibodies, as well as my previously existing multinodular goitre which was extremely inflamed when checked by ultrasound.

DaisyBelle85 profile image
DaisyBelle85

My last vitamin D test was in 2016 being 11, I haven't been tested since, and apart from the initial supplements of 20,000 I took for 6 weeks after that, haven't been supplementing until now.

Mononeuritis and neuropathy were used because I lost sensations in hand and foot, to the extent that I could no longer move my fingers. They became completely numb with terrible burning nerve pains and tingling and pins and needles. The nerve conduction studies showed that my nerves weren't reacting as normal, and after much dilly dallying, doctors finally decided that this was mononeuritis multiplex- however weren't sure of the cause of it.

Since then I have regained feeling in quite a few areas in my affected hand and foot, but still suffer from tingling, pins and needles, -and burning pains intermittently.

I've been referred to an endo for further investigations into possible the hashimoto's connection in all thiss

Astridnova profile image
Astridnova in reply to DaisyBelle85

Yes, sounds to me that your neuropathies could well be linked to your thyroid problem. They sound like B12 deficiency but your B12 seems okay and it is true that thyroid problems stuff up your muscles and create pressure on nerves, so that people get all kinds of strange pains and sensations which B12 deficiency also causes. I've had swollen and sore legs and feet, knees that popped out of their sockets, fibromyalgia in arms and shoulders and headaches and back problems that all resolved with NDT. I think that diabetic neuropathy is usually B12 deficiency, by the way. The oral hypoglycaemics prevent effective absorption.

DaisyBelle85 profile image
DaisyBelle85 in reply to Astridnova

The issue is that since my thyroid tests are within range, I'm being fobbed off by the Drs. My rheumatologist said that thyroid issues do not cause neuropathies at all, a shocking statement after seeing so many patient testimonials saying otherwise.

I have swelling in my left ankle, fluid retention it seems, and similar issues that you've mentioned with muscles pains and fatigue, and lots of very similar symptoms to fibromyalgia- but again, no definitive diagnosis of it.

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator in reply to DaisyBelle85

As you have Hashimotos you need to be on levothyroxine

WildDeer profile image
WildDeer

Please can you explain why you say rapeseed and sunflower oil are 'rubbish'?

DaisyBelle85 profile image
DaisyBelle85

So what would be the safe and recommended daily dose to get me to optimal levels?

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator in reply to DaisyBelle85

We all vary in how much we need. Some need a lot, others improve very quickly, so it's always important to retest. Too little is useless, too much can be toxic

With Hashimoto's our gut function is very often poor

That probably why so many find the Vitamin D mouth spray works well. It avoids poor gut function

Get tested via

Vitamindtest.org.uk £29 NHS postal kit

Ideally test twice yearly until you work out what dose you need to stay at around 100nmol

I had neuropathy about month after starting vitamin D supplements. It was completely cured by adding vitamin B complex and sublingual B12

Like many with Hashimoto's I need between 3000-6000iu daily (less in summer)

Gluten intolerance and/or dairy intolerance will make dose required higher than average

Londinium profile image
Londinium

In my opinion, your doctors failed you by prescribing just 2,850 IU per day when your Vit D level was just 11 nmol. They could have easily provided double that amount and helped you along. Instead, their ineptitude kept your Vit D at a continuously low level of Vit D and they instead came out with labels such as "neuropathy" and pushed steroids instead of Vit D.

DaisyBelle85 profile image
DaisyBelle85

Thank you Londinium for your informative responses

Astridnova profile image
Astridnova

I'm in Australia. I found a good doctor with knowledge of thyroid problems on Stop the Thyroid Madness one the internet. Maybe you can locate one via that website or via this one. Best of luck.

DaisyBelle85 profile image
DaisyBelle85 in reply to Astridnova

Thanks for the info Astridnova, will have a look

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator

With autoimmune disease, improving seriously low vitamin D can then lead to neuropathy, because we then need increased B vitamins, especially B5 and B12

See this link

drgominak.com/sleep/vitamin...

Suggest you try adding a daily good quality vitamin B complex

If you are taking vitamin B complex, or any supplements containing biotin, remember to stop these 3-5 days before any blood tests, as biotin can falsely affect test results

endo.confex.com/endo/2016en...

endocrinenews.endocrine.org...

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator

Have you had ordered vitamin D test yet and got it tested ?

Vitamindtest.org.uk £29 NHS postal kit

DaisyBelle85 profile image
DaisyBelle85 in reply to SlowDragon

I'm due to see my GP soon and will be asking for my Vitamin D to be checked, until then I'm taking daily supplements

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator

As you have Hashimotos are you already on strictly gluten free diet?

If not you need to read up on why it helps

Masses of info on here almost daily

DaisyBelle85 profile image
DaisyBelle85 in reply to SlowDragon

Yes I've started my gluten free diet two weeks ago. Obviously, it's far to early to tell of the effects, but I'm maintaining a caustically optimistic approach until I know for sure.

My next step is to start using kefir to heal my gut. This was something I've tried and found to be beneficial in the past, and has been recommended by the naturopath I saw recently.

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator in reply to DaisyBelle85

That's great to hear

Hashimoto's is so linked to improving gut function

Other things to help heal gut lining

Bone broth

thyroidpharmacist.com/artic...

Vegetarian broth

wallflowerkitchen.com/gut-h...

yogajournal.com/practice/as...

Probiotics

carolinasthyroidinstitute.c...

Michael Moseley book Clever Guts and Dr Rangan Chatergee book The four pillar plan are both interesting though neither is specific for Hashimoto's

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