hypothyroid pins and needles in feet

[Ju17]

I have been Hypo for 20+ years and since last winter I have pins and needle like pain in my feet. This is almost constant but becomes much worse when cold. Toes are cold to the touch and not pink. Dr has diagnosed Reynards but I’m not sure this is correct as it doesn’t appear in bursts. Does anyone have similar symptoms and if so what is the prognosis. Thanks.

[RedApple Administrator]

Ju17, This could be a symptom of vitamin B12 deficiency. Do you take vit B12 supplements? Have you had your B12 level tested?

[Buddy195 Administrator]

Hi Ju17, do you have any recent thyroid blood tests to share, as foot pain is certainly a hypo symptom. It’s also worth checking key thyroid vitamins (ferritin, folate, B12 and vit D) as having these at an optimal level is very important. Do remember when GPs say results are ‘normal’ or ‘within range’ this may not be the same as optimal.

I was diagnosed with Reynaulds and have found a daily turmeric supplement useful for improved circulation (I take one with ginger and black pepper to aid absorption). Others on the Reynaulds forum suggest Ginko Bilbao but I’ve not tried this. It’s very important to wear warm socks and gloves and I’ve also got a rechargeable hand warmer which I find helpful in Winter.

Best wishes to you 🦋

[Ju17 in reply to Buddy195]

Thanks for your replies Buddy and Redapple. Here are my test results and the supplements I take.

Serum TSH 0.13mlU/L(out of range 0.35-4.94 but needed for optimum mental health).

Serum free T4 13.5pmol/L (9.0-19.1)

Serum Folate 20 ug/L (3.0-20.5)

Serum Ferritin 106ug/L (30-300)

B12 545ng/L (180-770)

Vit D 65nmol/L (50-200). I am taking a supplement 50ug daily.

I also take omega fish oil 1000mg and chelated zinc 25mg and copper1250ug daily.

Levothyroxine 100/125mg alternate days.

Dr has prescribed Nifedipine this has just been increased to 30mg per day from 15mg as I saw no improvement.

Thanks for your help.

[Buddy195 Administrator in reply to Ju17]

Do you have a FT3 reading? It would be useful to know this, for a complete picture of your thyroid health.

[Ju17 in reply to Buddy195]

Sorry missed that one.

Free T4 13.5 pmol/L (9.0-19.1)

[Buddy195 Administrator in reply to Ju17]

Serum free T4 13.5pmol/L (9.0-19.1) is FT4. The FT3 is a different test that you may need to source privately if GP not asked for/ lab approved.

Like RedApple has suggested, I would like to increase Levo dosage to 125mcg per day and resulted levels after 6-8 weeks.

[RedApple Administrator in reply to Ju17]

'B12 545ng/L (180-770)'

I'm guessing this is your serum B12 level, which your GP will say means your B12 is fine because it's within range.

However, as I understand it, an Active B12 test is generally considered to be a better indication of your B12 status. Unfortunately, in many locations, this test is not routinely done on the NHS.

If you go to this website b12info.com/signs-and-sympt... , and look under Neurological , you will see that Paresthesia – numbness, tingling and pain is listed as a symptom of B12 deficiency.

If you can afford it, you might consider doing a private Active B12 test to see if this could be the cause of your symptom. This one is useful and not too extortionately priced monitormyhealth.org.uk/anae...

Alternatively, you could just get yourself some B12 supplements to take to boost your level and see if your symptoms resolve at all.

[Ju17 in reply to RedApple]

Many Thanks I will look into this.

[Contra21 in reply to RedApple]

Is 500 low? I'm hitting pins amd needles in hands and feet all.days , sometimes face, Is this hypo?

[RedApple Administrator in reply to Contra21]

Contra21 'Is 500 low?'

Do you mean your serum B12 is 500?

[Contra21 in reply to RedApple]

Yes 😊

[RedApple Administrator in reply to Contra21]

It's not below range, so your doctor will likely say that it's fine. But some people need it to be higher. Also, it is a good idea to get your Active B12 tested, as that is thought to be a better test than serum B12.

Active vitamin B12: Vitamin B12 is transported in the blood attached to two different proteins called haptocorrin and transcobalamin. Vitamin B12 attached to transcobalamin is the active form of the vitamin. This test measures this active portion of vitamin B12. Low levels can indicate vitamin B12 deficiency. Measuring the active portion of vitamin B12 is thought to be a better marker of vitamin B12 deficiency than measuring all of the vitamin B12 in the blood. Other names for this test include Active B12, HoloTC and holotranscobalamin. The units of measurement for active B12 at picomoles per litre (pmol/L). monitormyhealth.org.uk/anae...

[RedApple Administrator in reply to Ju17]

'Serum free T4 13.5pmol/L (9.0-19.1)'

For someone on 100/125mcg levothyroxine, that is a low test result. Most of us need our FT4 to be nearer the top of the range. Perhaps an increase to 125mcg daily could help your symptoms. If you have enough levothyroxine in hand, consider trying that for a few days to see if it helps.

[Ju17 in reply to RedApple]

Anything is worth a try. Thanks.

[66olives in reply to Ju17]

For a more accurate picture you need to know your active B12 level, T3, aa you could be a poor converter. I function better with higher D level.. Personally, I'd get a diabetes check too. I use under tongue vit B12 and vit D with K , as suggested by those members more knowledgablethan myself. I test privately every 6 months.

I have a daughter with Renyards, it's nasty.. her fingers are deathly white ans so painful.

Good luck.

[csj113]

following with interest as I’ve got the same issue - I’ve been hypo for 30 yrs or so and for the last 5 years I’ve had this issue. I’ve had the specific tests for pernicious anaemia and they were negative, and I’ve had thorough checks from a v helpful neurologist but they have never got to the root cause. He suggested it might be v v early sign of diabetes but my bloods say otherwise at the moment anyway (HbA1c normal, blood glucose control good). So we’re all baffled and I just live with it. My son has Reynauds and it seems quite different to what I’ve got - mine isn’t really affected by temperature and my feet don’t go white.

[Hylda2 in reply to csj113]

I too have suffered from this for years. My B12 is fine and I have had lots of tests. A neurologist thought it was vascular, a locum poked me with a pen top and said not peripheral neuropathy! B12 fine! My hba1c ? Is climbing. 37, 38 now 41! Told by nurse at surgery my body was shutting down!!😱😱 Politely told her I’m not ready to go yet!!

[csj113 in reply to Hylda2]

It's interesting how many of us are reporting this but no real answers. I guess your HbA1c is still normal and hopefully will continue to be. I'm going to try a B complex based on some of these responses.

[Hylda2 in reply to csj113]

Many years ago we kept a yacht in Cherbourg. For some reason we were put in the medical section and an elderly English doctor advised me to take a B complex supplement as this was the in thing amongst Drs

[endomad]

I had burning feet after TT, like very painful pins and needles. B5&6 stopped it, it was such a relief to walk not hobble. I have taken a vitamin b complex ever since.

[Contra21 in reply to endomad]

My b12 is 500 , can you overdose on b complex? Pins and needles driving me crazy anxiety

[endomad in reply to Contra21]

I just take a multi b vitamin, so would be unlikely for me. I think b vitamins are water soluble so any excess goes in urine. I do not take mega doses of anything.

[Contra21 in reply to endomad]

Think it would help my pins and needles?.

[Otto11]

Hi I’m in a similar situation to you currently. Mine started around August but the stone cold white feet & legs to calf height didn’t start till October when the pins & needles & tightness around my calf on my left leg got worse. I’ve waited since August for a GP appointment to check it out however had I had a Rheumy appointment ( I also have RA) & asked them & they think it could be Raynauds. They are sending me for nerve conduction tests & a capillarioscopy to confirm. It got so bad 2 weeks ago I called 111 who arranged me a GP appointment the following day ( maybe that’s the way to get an appointment in future) who think it’s sciatica 🤷🏻‍♀️ so who knows. Im not convinced as I don’t think your feet go white with sciatica. My B12 levels are ok & I’ve just had a B12 injection too. I hope you get some answers soon.

[Ju17]

Very interesting comments from everyone. Thanks for the advice and I hope we can all get help with our issues.

[serenfach]

Have a look at peripheral neuropathy. Mine started with pins and needles, then moved on to burning, and now pretty numb. GP said nothing could be done. I can sit in a red hot bath and see my little white toes sticking out of the bubbles. They dont go pink no matter how long I sit there. I got terrible chilblains as a child, and then again a few years ago, but dont think I get them now, but I would not feel them.

I have Raynauds in my hands and occasionally feet - the feeling is quite different, and you dont get the horrible pain when the circulation starts back, like you do with Raynauds.

I take a Vit B complex but cannot say I have noticed a difference. Surprising how many pairs of socks you can get on in a pair of wellies!

[Titian]

I have the same issue with the needles and pins symptoms. I went to a Neurologist and she noticed that I was taking a multiple Vitamin B capsule every day. She said that sometimes the Vitamin B6 can cause peripheral neuropathy.

tga.gov.au/news/safety-aler...

[helvella Administrator in reply to Titian]

Worth a look here as well:

Vitamin B6

Fact Sheet for Health Professionals

ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/V...

[Jasper79]

My experience my be relevant- see my previous post

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

Seeng other comments, I should note that I also started supplementing B12 first then Methyl B Complex during the same period.