Tingling feet

I'm so sorry for stalking this forum lately.

Basically, I've been to my GP twice lately (thyroid results, prolonged headaches) and he's clearly sick of the sight of me.

Lately I've been getting tingly sensations in my fingers after a hot bath. It feels like there are hairs wrapped around them or something. My hand and feet are always extremely cold anyway, so perhaps a sudden change in temperature is causing it. I know my iron levels are extremely low and I'm working on improving them. Plus we've just spent our first winter in a very draughty Hebridean house with freezing cold ceramic tiled floors in the kitchen and bathroom...

A few weeks ago I thought I had chilblains as my feet were burning and red. That went away, but this morning I woke up with tingling feet and it's not going away.

There's a chance I need my Levo (50mg) upping but does anyone have any ideas re. tingling extremities? Non scary if possible - I feel like my health's going downhill fast. I'm only 43, not overweight, don't drink or smoke, healthy eating (gluten and dairy free etc - hashis). I also have a six year old and am starting to worry about how long I'll be around for him - my list of health problems is pretty extensive

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

When you posted your Medichecks results a couple of months ago, you didn't include B12. What was the result for this?

Are you addressing the low folate and Vit D as well as ferritin?

How are you addressing the low ferritin?

[Hidden in reply to SeasideSusie]

Hi, it was 83.2 (37.5 - 188). I think my circulation is poor and always has been, to be honest. Ever since I was little. My mum took me to the doctor aged10 or so with palpitations and I've always had icy hands and feet.

I've been eating liver pate and black pudding weekly, and just started taking Solgar gentle iron with their Ester C vitamin C. Prior to that I was using BetterYou iron (oral spray) and Floradix. Heavy periods don't help the situation.

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Hidden]

83.2 (37.5 - 188).

So that's Active B12. Below 70 suggests testing for B12 deficiency, so yours is on the lowish side. Have a look at signs of B12 deficiency and see if you have any, if so I'd ask GP to test for B12 deficiency/pernicious anaemia but you'd need to list the symptoms, they are supposed to go by symptoms rather than numbers.

b12deficiency.info/signs-an...

[Hidden in reply to SeasideSusie]

Hi Susie,

I was tested negative for PA by a gastro consultant in 2017 as I'd been diagnosed as B12 deficient in 2010 (I was exhausted and convinced my then GP to run blood tests). She was shocked at how low my B12 was, informed me I was unable to absorb it and I then had injections for a few years until pregnancy, when they withdrew this and I was told I wouldn't be given them any more.

I struggle with absorption as my stomach is a mess and I suspect low acid but have managed to up my B12 by using sublingual sprays and hopefully the methylated B12 under-tongue 'melts' will prove effective.

There's no way my GP will entertain the idea of retesting for PA or prescribing injections.

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Hidden]

So if you've had B12 deficiency in the past, it could very well be that your symptoms are indicating this again.

[Hidden in reply to SeasideSusie]

Yes. I'll get another Medicheck test and possibly look into self treating with B12 injections if necessary. My GP is no longer an option. Thanks for all your advice, I really appreciate it.

[shaws]

I'm sorry you are getting anxious and its no surprise really when we are 'more or less' left to figure things out on our own.

If you've not had a blood test after six weeks since your last, make an appointment and I think you know the procedure i.e. earliest appointment, fasting (you can drink water) and allow a gap of 24 hours between last dose of levo and test and take afterwards.

If you've not had B12, Vit D, iron, ferritin and folate checked ask for these too. Everything has to be optimum and deficiencies also cause symptoms.

Always get a print-out of your results with the ranges. Ranges are important as labs differ and it makes it easier to respond.

[Hidden in reply to shaws]

Thank you. I think I'll do another Medicheck test in a month or so. It's far more detailed than what the GP is willing to offer and that way I won't have to negotiate with him. Once the results are through I'll post them on here and figure out my next move.

I'm pretty much resigned to dealing with this myself. I've had better support from this community (and learned far more) than all the GPs I've seen put together!

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Hidden]

You could try sublingual B12 lozenges. 1-5 tablets per day

Eg Jarrow B12.

amazon.co.uk/Jarrow-Methylc...

Improving low vitamin D can increase need for B12 and other B vitamins as explained here

drgominak.com/sleep/vitamin...

[Hidden in reply to SlowDragon]

That's great. Interesting article too. Another Amazon order! One of the few companies who deliver free of charge here

[thyroidquest]

With regard to your heavy periods, when I was your age my periods were horrendous..found out I was perimenopausal. Might be worth also checking hormone status. GPs aren't always great at this. You could see if your practice has a menopause specialist.

[Hidden in reply to thyroidquest]

Hi, yes - they've been like this for years and years. I told my previous (female) doctor about it maybe 10 years ago and she said if I was able to leave the house and didn't have to sit on a towel then I didn't have heavy periods. Really.

I definitely think my hormones are out of whack. Things went downhill very quickly after I'd had my little boy (emergency C section and very traumatic) in 2012.

I'm going to see if I can register with another practice today. It's out of area but all the doctors are female...