Hypothyroidism and burning feet and hands syndrome.

[SRAF]

I was on 50mmg thyroxine for a year. In the beginning I was feeling good but after some times I felt that it's not working any more. Fatigue weight gain body aches and then burning in feet and hands. Now I am taking 75mmg and have switched from morning to night. But still no benefits. The doctor has suggested gabapentin for habds and feet burning but I thing that is not a permanent solution.

One thing that I have noticed is when I don't take sugar,in whatever form, I feel better though I don't have diabetes. The burning sensation is more after meal.

So is there any relation between these two conditions?

[Kalicocat]

burning feed and hands were my first diabetes symptoms, especially after eating. The burning intensifies after anything carby or surgary.

[shaws Administrator]

Your dose of 50mcg is a starting dose and increases of 25mcg should be every six weeks after a blood test. 75mcg may still not be 'optimum' for you.

I am assuming your results above are the original ones which determined you had hypothyroidism?

Do you have a more up-to-date blood test?

Both your 'Frees' even though 'normal' are not normal for us who have hypothyroidism, i.e. they should be nearer the upper part of the range.

All blood tests for thyroid hormones have to be at the very earliest, fasting (you can drink water) and allow a gap of 24 hours between last dose of levo and test and take afterwards.

Levothyroxine is usually taken first thing when we get up with one full glass of water. Some prefer a bedtime dose. If having a blood test next a.m. and taking a bedtime dose, miss this dose and take after test and at bedtime as usual.

I see that Kalicocat has responded re 'burning feet/hands so ask for a blood test for diabetes.

Ask doctor to test B12, Vit D, iron, ferritin and folate too. Everything has to be optimal.

[SRAF in reply to shaws]

Yes the test above is the latest one,a month ago. I will ask for the other tests you have suggested.

Thanks for the reply.

[shaws Administrator in reply to SRAF]

The aim is an increase in levo of 25mcg every six weeks until TSH is 1 or lower. Some doctors make a mistake of thinking that once it is somewhere in the 'range' (i.e 0.2 to 4.2) that we're on sufficient. Not so - the aim is 1 or lower with FT4 and FT3 in the upper part of the ranges.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to SRAF]

If this is your latest blood test in 75mcg dose, you need further 25mcg dose increase

On Levothyroxine the dose should be high enough to lower TSH to around one and FT4 towards top of range and FT3 at least half way in range

Your TSH is too high, FT3 and FT4 too low

See GP and ask for vitamin D, B12, folate and ferritin to be tested too. Often these are too low. Low B12 can cause peripheral neuropathy.

drgominak.com/sleep/vitamin...

Do you have Hashimoto's also called autoimmune thyroid disease diagnosed by high TPO or TG thyroid antibodies?

About 90% of all hypothyroidism in Uk is due to Hashimoto's. Low vitamins are especially common with Hashimoto's. Food intolerances are very common too, especially gluten. So it's important to get TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested at least once .

Always take Levo on empty stomach and then nothing apart from water for at least an hour after. Many take on waking, but it may be more convenient and possibly more effective taken at bedtime

verywell.com/should-i-take-...

Many people find Levothyroxine brands are not interchangeable. Once you find a brand that suits you, best to make sure to only get that one at each prescription. Watch out for brand change when dose is increased

[greygoose]

goodness me! You are still very hypo. How long have you been on the 75 mcg? Make sure you get retested six weeks after starting the 75.

Have you had your B12 tested?

[SRAF in reply to greygoose]

My TSH accordning to a result before this one was 8. Even that number was also high, but due to some reasons I stopped taking medicine and the number shooted up to 12.5 . With my next test I will do the other tests, too.

[greygoose in reply to SRAF]

Well, it would do! So, your tingling/burning could very well be do to under-medication. But, it's very important to get your nutrients tested, too.

[Hidden]

I had burning feet and hands when I was starting to show another autoimmune disease, Sjögren’s. It is called Small Fibre Neuropathy and is mostly associated with Diabetes, Alcoholism, cancer treatments, Sjögren’s, Pernicious Anaemia and Coeliacs Disease. My Sjögren’s was undiagnosed and ignored for so long that much of my body has now turned tingling and numb. My Hashimoto’s was well controlled when it started but I agree yours isn’t yet. But I would definitely look into other possible underlying causes as well as addressing your Hashimoto’s.

[Homer48]

I know is a bit late for a reply,but I am new member.

I have had feet zapping since being diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes,and is always after eating,even when I don't think is sugar in things. It is Neuropathy-if u get it alot,it means sugar levels are gonna eventually kill off the nerves affected(in extremeties like hands and feet). I know someone who even was given Epilepsy meds to control it,as affected his work! Since my Levothyroxine being upped from 150mcg to 175mcg,am now noticing getting it in fingers aswell-so maybe a connection.

And as Carpel Tunnel Syndrome diagnosed yrs ago-is a whole lot difference(prefer the neuropathy,as not waked me and hardly ever affected me til increase!).