Hashimotos and tingling in my finger tips and toes

[Busyfish]

Hello, I've just recently started taking levothyroxine 75mg for 6 wks now as my bloods had elevated thyroid antibodies of around 155. About 2 wks prior to taking levo I started getting a tingling sensation in my finger tips but it hasn't gone away. Any ideas??

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Common issue, will probably improve as dose levothyroxine is increased slowly upwards

75mcg is only one step up from starter dose

Which brand of levothyroxine are you currently taking…..Teva?

Teva brand upsets many people

Bloods should be retested 6-8 weeks after any dose change or brand change in levothyroxine

Full thyroid and vitamin testing, privately if GP only tests TSH

[SlowDragon Administrator]

For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4 and FT3 plus both TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested.

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

Low B12 and pins and needles are frequently linked

Low vitamin levels are extremely common, especially with autoimmune thyroid disease (Hashimoto’s or Ord’s thyroiditis)

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 all relevant vitamins

List of private testing options

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

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

Medichecks Thyroid plus antibodies and vitamins

medichecks.com/products/adv...

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

bluehorizonbloodtests.co.uk...

Thriva Thyroid plus antibodies and vitamins By DIY fingerpick test

thriva.co/tests/thyroid-test

Thriva also offer just vitamin testing

If TPO or TG thyroid antibodies are high this is usually due to Hashimoto’s (commonly known in UK as autoimmune thyroid disease).

About 90% of all primary hypothyroidism in Uk is due to Hashimoto’s. Low vitamin levels are particularly common with Hashimoto’s. Gluten intolerance is often a hidden issue to.

Link about thyroid blood tests

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

Link about Hashimoto’s

thyroiduk.org/hypothyroid-b...

List of hypothyroid symptoms

thyroiduk.org/if-you-are-un...

[Busyfish in reply to SlowDragon]

Hi so yes taking 75mg of Teva and have been fine on it. Had my first 6 wk bloods done last wk and my B12 seems mid range so maybe I just need an increase in my levo dosage? Not yet got my thyroid antibodies back or my copper / zinc and vit d, selenium levels but hopefully end of this wk beg of next. Have a telephone appt with my doc tomor to discuss my results and steps moving forward. Is there anything noteworthy I should get clarity on? I've also just bought the Isabella WentzThyroid Protocol book and am finding it quite interesting. I've cut back on gluten for last 3 wks for now anyway and am also reducing my dairy intake although not exclusively. I like cheese too much. 😋

[jendwall in reply to Busyfish]

I've read many need to be above mid range, more like three quarters through the range. I never seem to get mine that high. 😊

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Busyfish]

What were thyroid results and ranges

Was test done as early as possible in morning before eating or drinking anything apart from water

Exactly what vitamin supplements are you currently taking

[WhyAmISoTired]

Tingling in fingers and toes can also be a sign of low B12. Keep in mind that if your B12 was tested and is in the bottom part of the range, it doesn't necessarily mean that you don't have a B12 deficiency as the test isn't very reliable.

[jendwall]

My tingling in fingers and toes went away after starting a B12 supplement.

[shaws Administrator in reply to jendwall]

If someone's B12 is low - before starting B12 supplements they should ensure that they do not have a B12 deficiency, i.e. by requesting the GP to test for pernicious anaemia. There's a reason it is called pernicious.

nhs.uk/conditions/vitamin-b...

[jendwall in reply to shaws]

Doctor never suggested it. I've wondered how I'd rule out pernicious anemia now since I've been on a methylalated B supplement for years.

[Carys21]

My B12 was top of the range on the blood tests but I still get tingling

[shaws Administrator in reply to Carys21]

Before beginning B12 injections or supplements we should always have a check that we do not have pernicious anaemia because it is a serious condition if undiagnosed etc.

nhs.uk/conditions/vitamin-b...

[Carys21 in reply to shaws]

I don't have that, I had every test under the sun by the NHS when I had weird (unrelated) symptoms a couple years ago and nothing was found - the only other possibility I have considered is nerve damage from mercury as I have had a high exposure to it in industry and with amalgams

[shaws Administrator in reply to Carys21]

I'd check that - as you may be a person who can get compensation - if it was work-related damage. Not that I know anything about 'employees who may have a 'works related' injury' and something happening to us if 'exposed' to mercury.