Restless leg Syndrome

[Pinkisland]

Hi everyone, does anyone know if there is a link between Hashimotos and Restless Leg Syndrome?

Thanks in avance for your thoughts

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Restless legs often low iron and/or low magnesium

Both common when hypothyroid

What are your most recent thyroid and vitamin results and ranges

What vitamin supplements are you taking

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Looking at previous posts

How much vitamin D are you currently taking

Are you also taking daily magnesium supplement

Your ferritin appeared ok 2 years ago

But you can have high ferritin due to inflammation of Hashimoto’s….but low iron

You need full iron panel test

Never supplement iron without doing full iron panel test for anaemia first and retest 3-4 times a year if self supplementing. It’s possible to have low ferritin but high iron

Test early morning, only water to drink between waking and test. Avoid high iron rich dinner night before test

Medichecks iron panel test

medichecks.com/products/iro...

[J972]

Hello Pinkisland,

Vitamin B12 deficiency and/or Pernicious Anaemia (PA) can also cause restless leg syndrome. Did you ever get anywhere with getting tested for PA? How about high-dose supplementation of B12?

All the best 🙌🏼

[phenelope in reply to J972]

I met a lady on a flight whose long term restless leg syndrome was cured by large doses of vitamin D. ?? Worth investigating.?

Research D for safety.

[meme]

Is this a new symptom?

[Pinkisland in reply to meme]

More intermitent than new.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

previous post shows you had extremely low B12

Were you tested for PA

Presumably you are now still taking daily B12 and daily vitamin B complex

[Pinkisland in reply to SlowDragon]

Hi, yes I was tested for PA but it was a while back and it was all good. I am taking Thorne Basic B complex daily as well as Vitamin D. I was away for a month and did not take my Thorne tablet so wondering whether the month withour the tablet has caused a problem. I think I need to add Magnesium as well. Thank you for your advice.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Pinkisland]

In your previous post it was explained at length that you would need a separate daily B12 as well as daily vitamin B complex

Suggest you start separate B12 immediately and then add daily vitamin B complex a week later

Low B12 symptoms

b12deficiency.info/signs-an...

methyl-life.com/blogs/defic...

With serum B12 result below 500, (Or active B12 below 70) recommended to be taking a separate B12 supplement and a week later add a separate vitamin B Complex 

Then once your serum B12 is over 500 (or Active B12 level has reached 70), you may be able to reduce then stop the B12 and just carry on with the B Complex.

If Vegetarian or vegan likely to need ongoing separate B12 few times a week

are you vegetarian or vegan?

Highly effective B12 drops

natureprovides.com/products...

Or

B12 sublingual lozenges

uk.iherb.com/pr/jarrow-form...

cytoplan.co.uk/shop-by-prod...

B12 range in U.K. is too wide

Interesting that in this research B12 below 400 is considered inadequate

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

Low folate

supplementing 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

Thorne Basic B recommended vitamin B complex that contains folate, but they are large capsules. (You can tip powder out if can’t swallow capsule)

Thorne currently difficult to find at reasonable price, should be around £20-£25. iherb.com often have in stock. Or try ebay

Igennus B complex popular option too. Nice small tablets. Most people only find they need one per day. But a few people find it’s not high enough dose

Post discussing different B complex

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

IMPORTANT......If you are taking vitamin B complex, or any supplements containing biotin, remember to stop these 7 days before ALL BLOOD TESTS , as biotin can falsely affect test results

endo.confex.com/endo/2016en...

endocrinenews.endocrine.org...

In week before blood test, when you stop vitamin B complex, you might want to consider taking a separate folate supplement (eg Jarrow methyl folate 400mcg) and continue separate B12 until B12 is over 500

Post discussing how biotin can affect test results

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

helvella.blogspot.com/p/hel...

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Pinkisland]

so wondering whether the month withour the tablet has caused a problem

Highly likely, and especially as you should be taking separate B12 daily as well

how much vitamin D are you taking

When did you last test level

Test twice yearly when supplementing

NHS private testing service

vitamindtest.org.uk

Vitamin D mouth spray by Better You is very effective as it avoids poor gut function.

There’s a version made that also contains vitamin K2 Mk7.

One spray = 1000iu

amazon.co.uk/BetterYou-Dlux...

It’s trial and error what dose we need, with thyroid issues we frequently need higher dose than average

Vitamin D and thyroid disease

grassrootshealth.net/blog/t...

Vitamin D may prevent Autoimmune disease

newscientist.com/article/23...

Web links about taking important cofactors - magnesium and Vit K2-MK7

Magnesium best taken in the afternoon or evening, but must be four hours away from levothyroxine

betterbones.com/bone-nutrit...

medicalnewstoday.com/articl...

livescience.com/61866-magne...

sciencedaily.com/releases/2...

Interesting article by Dr Malcolm Kendrick on magnesium

drmalcolmkendrick.org/categ...

Vitamin K2 mk7

betterbones.com/bone-nutrit...

healthline.com/nutrition/vi...

[Pinkisland in reply to SlowDragon]

Thank you Slow Dragon. As I have kidney disease as well and therefore have to try and not take too many tablets or vitamins, I was hopping the Thorne Basic B Complex would be sufficient. I have resumed the Basic B Complex tablet and will see how I go and if it does not improve will start the B12 dailyas well. I am also going to go for B12 blood tests next week. Many thanks for all your care.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Pinkisland]

Low GFR linked to being hypothyroid, especially low Ft3

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl....

What are your most recent Ft4 and Ft3 results

How much levothyroxine/T3 are you taking

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)

On T3 - day before test split T3 as 2 or 3 smaller doses spread through the day with last dose 8-12 hours before test

I was hopping the Thorne Basic B Complex would be sufficient. I have resumed the Basic B Complex tablet and will see how I go and if it does not improve will start the B12 dailyas well.

Seasidesusie explained why you need separate B12 as well in previous post

Recommended B12 drops by Nature Provides are absorbed in mouth ……not gut

If testing B12 next week don’t start any B vitamins at all until after test

[Marz in reply to Pinkisland]

Testing B12 whilst supplementing will skew the results ..

[Hectorsmum2 in reply to Pinkisland]

There is no test to rule out PA, the test used has a lot of false negatives. (over 50%) PA is better diagnosed by looking at possible causes eg taking PPI drugs or being vegan. If there are no other causes for deficiency then it is likely you have PA and need injections.

[J972]

Might I suggest that you take a look at the PA forum on healthunlocked? B12 deficiency/PA is notoriously difficult to diagnose and the various tests are far from conclusive.

There’s even something called ‘functional B12 deficiency’ where serum (blood) results are “normal” (ie fall within a largely arbitrary range) but the problems are at a cellular level.

It’s also one of those conditions which is incredibly poorly understood by the medical professional and, like thyroid conditions, requires sufferers to become knowledgeable self-advocates.

Perhaps join then create a post, detailing all relevant blood tests and symptoms. Good luck.

healthunlocked.com/pasoc

[Pinkisland in reply to J972]

Thank you

[SlowDragon Administrator]

8 months since you started on T3

Bloods should be retested 2 months after each dose change in Levo or T3

It frequently takes some time to adjust to get optimal results

What dose are you currently taking

What are your most recent results

[Pinkisland in reply to SlowDragon]

I came off the T3. Never felt so ill in my life.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Pinkisland]

All four vitamins must be at GOOD levels before starting T3

Even then it’s important to start very very slowly

Typically 5mcg …..Or 2 x 2.5mcg initially

So likely very low Ft3 on just Levo and very poor vitamin levels

[Skylane2]

I don’t know about a link to Hasimoto’s I have Hashimoto’s and I don’t have restless leg syndrome. But, my son is a sleep technologist at a large hospital and he says they see patients with restless leg syndrome in the sleep center. IT’s somehow tied to a sleep disorder. If I were you, I would ask for a sleep test. There are many types of sleep disorders not all are apnea.

[Pinkisland in reply to Skylane2]

Thank you

[beatagod]

Sometimes I have this problem, if I forgot B12 and D3.

[tcpace]

FWIW, both my wife and daughter have a history of hypothyroidism and both had RLS. Way back we read that selenium stops it and it did for wife and daughter soon after starting on selenium. Worth you trying it? Apparently selenium is good for the thyroid.

[squitch]

hi I suffer with restless legs and I’ve found a cream containing magnesium has made a world of difference. This isn’t a marketing thing. I’m not trying to sell anything. I’m happy to share. The company is sweet B organics and it’s made in the UK.

[SarahJane1471]

I don’t have Hashi but I have had RLS since my 20s ( it’s hereditary thanks mum 😉). I take magnesium Glycinate at bedtime which has completely stopped RLS. When I’ve run out the RLS returns immediately!

[Stourie]

l had dreadful rls before diagnosis of hypothyroidism but within a few weeks of treatment with levo it disappeared. Jo xx

[Will_blue]

Hello - I am hypothyroid, 58 & diagnosed in 2019. I have suffered intermittently with restless legs since I was a child. I have found a massive improvement since supplementing with magnesium citrate tablets. My B12 nor brilliant but ok, I occasionally use the better you spray. Ferritin OK. I also take D3/K2 & methyl folate. Try the magnesium, I think that is the one that has helped my restless legs.

[fizzybee]

I have had restless leg since a teenager I am now 66 and have had a thyroid problem for the last 10 years . For years I was told it was low iron and my life was miserable ,one Dr told me to have a gin and tonic before bed while laughing . I spent 39 years moving around the world with my RAF aircrew officer every 2-3 years we moved . I met a Dr who's wife had the condition and my life changed there maybe some connection to hypothyriod but iron is not the main problem it's is neurological I was prescribed a Parkinson's medication called Pramipexole . Now it is once in a blue moon it bothers me at night , I still feel mild sensations during the day in both legs and left arm if I sit quiet for very long . I have had 6 GP 's since and none have questioned the prescription . If you find iron and magnesium is not the answer . My final move my GP sent me to see a physician who confirmed that I was in the right med. Good luck I know how miserable the nights can be

[ThyroidDeb]

I have restless leg, I believe I have had it since childhood. I use to get in trouble because I couldn't sit still in school. My mother would hold my legs and say can't you stop moving your legs? I would swing my legs in and out sitting at my desk and not realize it. Had a male teacher tell me it was distracting when I was in high school but back then we couldn't wear slacks only dresses or skirts. I couldn't sit long to read because I'd get what I called heebie jeebies back then and I'd move my legs or rock back and forth in bed. Skip forward, I am now 71 and I still have these problems but I cross my legs so my leg movement isn't as distracting. Lol I still cannot sit for too long to read or watch a movie, I have to get up and move. Sleeping is a problem, I still move a lot or sway back and forth too bothersome to sleep with a partner. I take magnesium as suggested, I take vitamins and have been tested and I'm not lacking for anything but Vitamin D which I also take now. I have no idea nor can my doctors tell me why I have always had this problem. They suggest muscle relaxers but I don't want to take any type of narcotics. Personally I don't think mine has anything to do with my thyroid and I have nonalcholic liver fibrosis so have to stay away from too much iron. I have just determined it's something I have to deal with but mine isn't anything new. Good luck.

[Tlflom]

I discovered the cause of mine was low water intake. All my labs showed optimal levels of everything. As we age our thirst drive fades. All that pain and sleeplessness solve by something as stupid water! Get all your water before 6pm or up through the night making toilet runs.