Numbess and tingling on right side of face/head

[Question2020]

Hello,Can Hashimotos be responsible for causing the right side of face/head to experience numbness and tingling? Has this happened to anyone else. I have seen a neurologist and it is not MS.

Thank you

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Welcome to the forum

Could be low B12/folate/thyroid hormones

How much levothyroxine are you currently taking

How long on this dose

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 tested

Also both TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested at least once

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

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 that all thyroid blood tests early morning, ideally just before 9am, only drink water between waking and test 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...

Only do private testing early Monday or Tuesday morning.

Link about thyroid blood tests

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

Link about Hashimoto’s

thyroiduk.org/hypothyroid-b...

Symptoms of hypothyroidism

thyroiduk.org/wp-content/up...

Tips on how to do DIY finger prick test

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

Medichecks and BH also offer private blood draw at clinic near you, or private nurse to your own home…..for an extra fee

[Question2020 in reply to SlowDragon]

Thanks so much. I don't take any medication as my TSh, t4 and T3 are normal. My TPOS antibodies are 175 normal range is under 40. So that I why I was told I have Hashimotos. I also have an enlarged thyroid. I hace celiac. Low ferritin 7 so I am taking iron supplements and also B12. B12 was on the low range. I have not tested my folate but my homocysteine is normal. I have tried taking a B complex but get severe insomnia. The numbness and tingling is really scary.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Question2020]

Please add actual thyroid results and ranges

Low vitamin levels tend to lower TSH

Optimal vitamin levels

Ferritin at least over 70

Ferritin under 30 is deficient

Serum B12 at least over 500

Are you on B12 injections or daily supplements

when on B12 supplementing recommended to be taking a good quality daily vitamin B complex, one with folate in (not folic acid)

This can help keep all B vitamins in balance and will help improve B12 levels too

Difference between folate and folic acid

healthline.com/nutrition/fo...

Many Hashimoto’s patients have MTHFR gene variation and can have trouble processing folic acid.

thyroidpharmacist.com/artic...

B vitamins best taken after breakfast

Difficulty tolerating B complex

You could try adding very small dose initially

Try Igennus vitamin B complex tablets.

Full daily dose is 2 tablets…..most people only need one per day

Initially try a 1/4 tablet

Easy to cut into 1/4’s with sharp knife

If you still can’t tolerate…..try just a folate

Eg Jarrow methyl folate 400mcg

ESSENTIAL to test vitamin D too

How long have you been diagnosed as coeliac

Enlarged thyroid likely to shrink once you start on levothyroxine

[Question2020]

Tsh is 1.53 ( range 0.32 - 4)T4 is 12 (9-19)

Free T3 4.2 (2.6 _ 5.8)

TPO 175 (normal under 35)

B12 was 240 ( range is 138_652) now is 280 with oral supplements

I have had celiac or diagnosed foe 2 years my antibodies are now normal so that is under control.

I thought you were not supposed to cut vitamins in half? I have taking them in the morning and still not luck.

Vitamin d is 96 (75 to 250)

Thanks for your help

[greygoose in reply to Question2020]

Your B12 is very low - ignore the upper limit of the range, it's meaningles because excess is excreted, and with B12 you want it pretty high.

However, just taking B12 by itself won't help much, even if the level does increase, because all the Bs work together, so you need to keep them balanced by taking a B complex along with your B12.

Your low B12 could very well be causing your numbness and tingling. I think I had low B12 all my life, and had all sorts of weird symptoms before learning about, and supplementing B vits: walking into walls (due to neuropathy), inability to keep my head still - it kept wobbling about - loss of the use of my right arm, and no feeling in my finger tips, to name but a few. All gone now that my B12 is higher.

[Question2020 in reply to greygoose]

Thank you. Trying to see if I can tolerate a b complex without getting insomnia.

[greygoose in reply to Question2020]

Even if you take it early in the day?

[Seabird4 in reply to greygoose]

I would suggest you get checked by GP as a precaution however, I can say I had similar pins needless in feet & face went a bit numb I was diagnosed with Pernicious Anemia & get regular injections which help greatly. I also have Hashimotos for 35+years but I didn't have the tingling, muscle twitching etc. until a few years ago. My B12 was low but in range which didn't help the protracted diagnosis. I don't have anything else to add but folk on here give greatlinks & advice

[Question2020 in reply to Seabird4]

Thanks so much. I have been suspicious about pernicious anemia. I am also within range and that is why doctors won't listen. I have been taking B12 that help with numbness on hands arms etc but the one on the face remains.

[Seabird4 in reply to Question2020]

If you want to you could look at the Pernicious Anemia group on Health unlocked too. Good luck

[am111 in reply to Question2020]

B12 is still low and this could be causing the symptoms. At a minimum, take 1000mcg/day oral tablets (there are some studies that show that cyanocobalamin tablets are better than methyl ones), or once-a-week injections for a couple of weeks, and then monthly. My gut feeling is that things will improve just with this, but you may also need a B-complex if your other B vitamins are also low. No harm in taking it also.

[Sparklingsunshine in reply to Question2020]

I have Pernicious Anaemia and can't absorb B12 from food or tablets. I get injections and tingling and pins and needles is very common. Mine get worse in my hands and feet when I need a jab. Low B12 is responsible for all sorts of weird neurological symptoms.

[Question2020 in reply to Sparklingsunshine]

Thank you. I will check that

[Question2020]

Yes even in the morning with breakfast. It also makes me really anxious.

[greygoose in reply to Question2020]

Ok, but it can't be all the B vits having that effect. Maybe you could try taking them one at a time to see which one disagrees with you?

[Question2020]

Thank you. That sounds like a good idea