peripheral neuropathy

[CAK1]

has anyone with this wretched condition been told it could be because of overdosing on thyroxine?

[greygoose]

More like under-dosing! But, can also be caused by low B12.

[Jaydee1507 Administrator]

What were your latest results to make them say you are overdosing (You probably aren't!)?

Low B12 and even folate can cause nerve symptoms.

[CAK1 in reply to Jaydee1507]

August both those said to be OK

[Jaydee1507 Administrator in reply to CAK1]

Gp's or any doctor are not trained in vitamin levels. You need to ask for a copy of the results and post them here. Your result needs to be in the upper quarter of the range. Your GP would say it's OK if it's in bottom quarter or only just in range. This is important.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

When hypothyroid and on levothyroxine low vitamin D, folate, ferritin or B12 are extremely common

It’s also much more common to have low vitamin levels as we get older

What vitamin supplements are you currently taking

How much levothyroxine are you currently taking

Do you always get same brand levothyroxine at each prescription

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

 

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

Very important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 at least once year minimum

About 90% of primary hypothyroidism is autoimmune thyroid disease, usually diagnosed by high thyroid antibodies 

Autoimmune thyroid disease with goitre is Hashimoto’s

Autoimmune thyroid disease without goitre is Ord’s thyroiditis. 

Both are autoimmune and generally called Hashimoto’s.

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

20% of autoimmune thyroid patients never have high thyroid antibodies and ultrasound scan of thyroid can get diagnosis 

In U.K. medics hardly ever refer to autoimmune thyroid disease as Hashimoto’s (or Ord’s thyroiditis)

Recommended on here that all thyroid blood tests early morning, ideally just before 9am and last dose levothyroxine 24 hours before test 

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

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

List of private testing options and money off codes

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

Medichecks Thyroid plus antibodies and vitamins

medichecks.com/products/adv...

Blue Horizon Thyroid Premium Gold includes antibodies, cortisol and vitamins

bluehorizonbloodtests.co.uk...

[CAK1 in reply to SlowDragon]

Thanks am goingto get tested as you advise

[Sandiij]

Ive been hypothyroid for 30 years. Recently developed peripheral neuropathy and vit b12 deficiency is probably the cause. Now on b12 injections and neuropaethy a little improved. Still there but the intense burning in toes has gone.

[CAK1 in reply to Sandiij]

Thank you

Are you in Uk?

What kind of B12 test did you do?

My dr says levels OK

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to CAK1]

what are your most recent vitamin results

Folate, B12, ferritin and vitamin D ?

optimal vitamin levels are

Vitamin D at least over 80nmol

Serum B12 at least over 500

Active B12 at least over 70

Folate and ferritin at least half way through range

B12 range in U.K. is too wide

Interesting that in this research B12 below 400 is considered inadequate 

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

[CAK1 in reply to SlowDragon]

serum Vit B12 589ng/L (130.0-800.0)no other, folate 8.1, (4.0-27)ferritin102 (13.0-150). No D thank you

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to CAK1]

folate is low especially if you’re supplementing

What vitamin supplements are you currently taking

You could test vitamin D on its own

Test twice yearly via NHS private testing service when supplementing 

vitamindtest.org.uk

[CAK1 in reply to SlowDragon]

so appreciate your concern

Am not taking folate thought I was.

Have been taking B12 1000ug, Magnesium 375mg,zinc 15mg

Recently for the peripheral neuropathy, an American formula Nerve Renew per day RALA 600 mg, D 50mg, B2 16 mg, B6 16 mg, B12( asmethylcobalamin), Benfotiamine 12 mg,

Plus 112 thyroxin

Am prediabetic

[Sandiij in reply to CAK1]

was just a serum b12 test. Result was 107 ng/L range 145-910ng/L. Am in the uk. Also vitd insfficient 38.7 nmol/L range 50-250nmol/L.

[Marz in reply to Sandiij]

How often do you have a B12 injection ? Arr you supplementing folate too ?

[Sandiij in reply to Marz]

Following my 6 loading doses im on 12 weekly injections. I take 800 ug folic acid ( self prescibed ) as it was in range but low.

[Marz in reply to Sandiij]

How is your D deficiency being treated ? Also neurological issues should be treated more than 3-monthly.

[Sandiij in reply to Marz]

My vitd is classed as insufficiency so im not being treated by gp. Am taking vit d3 4000iu and vitkmk47 100 and magnesium glycinate 250mg. Will be retesting vit d in november. I know b12 should be more regular for neuro symptoms so am planning to self inject.

[CAK1]

I don’t have injections. Am supplementing folate

[mourneadventurer]

Perhaps consider Vitamin B1 in the form of benfotamine for peripheral neuropathy and check levels of vitamin D which influences insulin resistance. Vitamin B1 gets used up by high blood sugar.

[serenfach]

Both my feet are pretty numb, peripheral neuropathy diagnosed years ago. Absolutely nothing done. When I mention it to the GP, he/she ignores me.

I can walk on lego without screaming!