Hypothyroid with sore feet

[Roulette26]

I’m hypothyroid after RAI and during the last 18 months have developed an odd sensation in the metatarsals of both feet. They feel tight as if there’s a web pulling all the time, and are pretty uncomfortable with a burning tenderness.

I’ve spoken with my Chiropedist who was baffled, trying to see my GP is impossible. Any suggestions gratefully received.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Extremely common on levothyroxine, usually due to being under medicated or poor conversion of Ft4 to Ft3

And/or low Vitamin D

Plantar fasciitis (policeman’s heel)

Or very tight tendons …..seems linked to low Ft3

First thing is, do you have any recent blood test results?

Looking at previous post…you should have results by now

if not will need to get hold of copies. You are legally entitled to printed copies of your blood test results and ranges.

The best way to get access to current and historic blood test results is to register for online access to your medical record and blood test results

UK GP practices are supposed to offer everyone online access for blood test results. Ring and ask if this is available and apply to do so if possible, if it is you may need "enhanced access" to see blood results.

Link re access

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

In reality many GP surgeries do not have blood test results online yet

Alternatively ring receptionist and request printed copies of results. Allow couple of days and then go and pick up.

Important to see exactly what has been tested and equally important what hasn’t been tested yet

For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4 and FT3 tested.

Also EXTREMELY important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12

Recommended on here that all thyroid blood tests should ideally be done as early as possible in morning and before eating or drinking anything other than water .

Last dose of Levothyroxine 24 hours prior to blood test. (taking delayed dose immediately after blood draw).

This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip)

Is this how you do your tests?

Private tests are available as NHS currently rarely tests Ft3 or thyroid antibodies or all relevant vitamins

List of private testing options

thyroiduk.org/getting-a-dia...

Medichecks Thyroid plus antibodies and vitamins

medichecks.com/products/adv...

Thriva Thyroid plus antibodies and vitamins By DIY fingerpick test

thriva.co/tests/thyroid-test

Thriva also offer just vitamin testing

Blue Horizon Thyroid Premium Gold includes antibodies, cortisol and vitamins by DIY fingerprick test

bluehorizonbloodtests.co.uk...

If you can get GP to test vitamins and antibodies then cheapest option for just TSH, FT4 and FT3

£29 (via NHS private service ) and 10% off down to £26.10 if go on thyroid uk for code

thyroiduk.org/getting-a-dia...

monitormyhealth.org.uk/

NHS easy postal kit vitamin D test £29 via

vitamindtest.org.uk

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Links to posts on here mentioning plantar fasciitis

healthunlocked.com/search/p...

[humanbean]

Sounds like plantar fasciitis to me. I had it for years but it got better after I started on thyroid hormones and got my T3 up higher.I also think improving my low nutrients (also common in thyroid disease) helped my feet a lot too.

My heels would burn so badly that putting my feet to the floor on getting out of bed was excruciating for a while, and I couldn't bend my ankles for about an hour after getting up in the morning.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plant...

nhs.uk/conditions/plantar-f...

It is a very common symptom of hypothyroidism, but apparently some doctors just laugh at the suggestion that sore feet and hypothyroidism could be connected in any way.

The NHS treatment for the condition is, naturally, exercise. (Exercise = costs the NHS nothing and if it doesn't work they can blame the patient for being overweight or not trying hard enough.) But I used to walk a dog several miles a day and my plantar fasciitis just got worse.

[SmallBlueThing]

You mention your metatarsals, which are the forefoot, not the heel, which is affected in plantar fasciitis.

I wonder if your parathyroid glands were damaged, and you now have hypocalcaemia, though you'd likely have experienced other symptoms, too.

[Roulette26 in reply to SmallBlueThing]

Thanks for the info. Fortunately my endo has surprisingly ordered a raft of blood tests, hopefully there’ll be some useful information.