Leg cramps

[Caroleannie1]

I am hypothyroid and have awful leg and muscle cramps,is that a side effect?

[Marz]

Most people are low in magnesium which can cause cramp. There are many types so choose with care.

[Hidden]

I found cramp in my legs and feet, and also restless leg which was awful at night, disappeared when I used a magnesium spray. Just massage a couple of sprays into each leg at night.

[Hennerton]

The best way, I find, is to buy magnesium crystals from any health shop and use them in a bath or foot soak, as per the instructions. It is absorbed through the skin and will not affect your digestive system. Also a spray of mag oil is brilliant, especially before bed. I am slightly addicted to all things magnesium. Our soil is depleted and veggies do not contain what they used to do. It is my absolute “must have”.

[twinkleyt]

Yes. at least I had terrible cramps when on carbimazole and no Thyroxine in 1970. I think I was inactive not just underactive as I was told I was slurring my words and was I drunk?

These days it is done with supplementing with Thyroxine.

In my day, I went to GP who told me I needed vitamin C and told me to contact Endo to have my Carbimazole dosage reduced which it was gradually. I had lost at least 2 stone and put it back on in 6 weeks on Carbimazole only I looked swollen up like a barrel I was told by my sister years later.

My calves looked enormous but were like stone and couldn't move them or any other muscle in my body without cramping up.

The only place I cramped up with no pain was when I yawned - my jaw and neck muscles just went dead and stiff.

That was 48 years ago but remember it all like yesterday.

You should not be having these side effects and must see your Endocrinologist ASAP.

Good luck

[mourneadventurer]

Electrolyte imbalance can cause cramps. I found brushing, magnesium oil, gel and either Dead Sea or Epsom salt baths helpful alongside a good multi mineral. High cortisol can knock your electrolytes out so balancing adrenals with adaptogenic herbs and find the root cause of why!

Parasites, pathogenic bacteria, fungi etc release toxins that need to be neutralised by magnesium. A plant based diet and minimise sugar and any other acidic stressors.

[Serendipitious]

Caroleannie1,

I very recently read on Dr Westin Childs website that muscle problems are all down to a lack of energy. I’m trying to find the link again and if and when I do I’ll post it.

Basically our muscles need energy to contract and relax and sometimes if there isn’t enough energy at a cellular levels muscles contract but don’t relax properly and hence why we can get muscle cramps. I have this problem all the time. A good form of Magnesium does help but that isn’t addressing the underlying cause.

[Icicles]

Hello Caroleannie1

I was just congratulating myself on not having had a ‘bad leg night’ for several weeks on Monday....spoke too soon! But the good news is, it confirms that the magnesium that I have been taking for those ‘several weeks’ has been working. I was trying to manage a split dose of NDT with anti histamines and other stuff to avert a Eustachian tube crisis and when it got to 10pm I had to make a choice to take my second dose of NDT or my supplements, clearly I gave the supplements a miss. So for 3 nights I went without. Monday night I felt the twinges of a ‘bad leg night’ and yesterday, 4 hours to the minute after my NDT, I took my magnesium. Last night was touch and go, but bearable. Tonight I hope to be back to ‘normal’. It confirmed what happened before when I missed a couple of doses on holiday, they are big tablets!!!!

So yes, try a really good magnesium supplement. Seaside Susie had a really great link to all the different types and reasons for taking a particular preparation. Sorry to go on about me, and it’s a long story to illustrate how a supplement cynic was converted x

[beady3]

Thank you for the information on magnesium , I want to start taking mag and would love to know the very best to take , where can I find out , I am usually on rls web page

[Marz in reply to beady3]

You could download the book - The Magnesium Miracle - lots of helpful information. different Magnesium for differing conditions Check out SeasideSusie by clicking onto her name and reading her responses to questions

[Greasyspoon]

You may need magnesium as a supplement.

[Serendipitious]

Caroleannie1,

Causes of muscle fatigue and cramps:

restartmed.com/hypothyroidi...

restartmed.com/hypothyroidi...

" In order to relieve the pain the tissue MUST relax, and in order for muscular tissue to contract there must be enough energy and ATP.

Remember that thyroid hormone is required for proper ATP production?

​In order for muscles to relax your body must produce ATP (the energy currency in your body).

​What you may not realize is that contracting your muscles does not use energy, it's the relaxation portion that requires energy. "

[HLAB35]

Magnesium Citrate is widely tolerated - taken with something containing calcium e.g. fortified nut milk helps. I take some mid-afternoon and more at bedtime and definitely not near anything that'll prevent absorption - tannin in tea is the worst. Advice to take it through the skin (sprays or Epsom Salts) is fair enough and it works - the skin can have an unpleasant (depends on how you react) 'prickly' reaction to the sprays - but it's only temporary. I always have an Epsom salt bath if I'm aching.

Magnesium Phosphate (EAP Complex) is probably good for bones, Magnesium Malate is great for reducing painful spasms as it contains Malic Acid, but it's a bit more pricey. I think it's more effective and better for me than painkillers for moderate back ache - great when I overdo it a bit in the garden.