Is neuropathy related to Thyroid? If so, what tests do I get?

[SueK2]

I have periperal neuropathy primarily in my feet/shins. Is neuropathy related to thyroid issues? If so, is there anyrhing else to test except for a standard thyroid panel? I do currently take B12 injections every 4 days so I have that cause covered which has helped but wondering if something else is going on. I have a wonderful neurologist that will order tests if I have good reason. Has anyone had success with healing neuropathy by treating a thyroid irregularity?

[RedApple Administrator]

SueK2, Symptoms of periperal neuropathy can be caused by thyroid hormone issues, although there are of course other causes too.

Do you already have a diagnosed thyroid condition? If yes, are you currently taking any thyroid medication?

[SueK2 in reply to RedApple]

Many thanks RedApple. No, not taking anything for thyroid or have I been diagnosed. I wanted to discuss the possibility of a link btw periperal neuropathy/thyroid w/ my neurologist but wanted to try to educate myself a bit first. I would tell him I would like to explore the possibility and get tested but wanted to know first if a particular hormone is responsible as I would make sure that hormone is included in the panel.

[RedApple Administrator in reply to SueK2]

It would certainly be worth getting a full thyroid panel done, at the very least on a 'rule it out' basis.

TSH, FT4, FT3, and thyroid antibodies. If you're in the UK, and it will be a while before you see the neurologist, and your GP won't order the full test for you, consider doing a home test like this one randoxhealth.com/en-GB/at-h...

[SueK2 in reply to RedApple]

Thank you I will ask for the Thyroid tests you mention, and exactly, to rule anything out. That test is a very good price, I may do that.

[Sparklingsunshine in reply to SueK2]

PN can be caused by numerous things, being hypo can cause us to retain extra fluid which can press on nerves causing tingling etc. Other causes can be conditions like diabetes, B12 deficiency, Transverse Myelitis, MS, Fibromyalgia, Spinal Stenosis or arthritis in the neck or spine.

I have pins and needles almost all the time in my hands and feet and have done for years. They blame mine on having Fibro but I also have pernicious anemia and hypothyroid so who knows? I've had a brain MRI to rule out anything nasty and my nerve conduction studies, which is a very common test for PN was normal.

[SueK2 in reply to Sparklingsunshine]

Thank you for your response in confirming that irregular thyroid can cause PN. My Dr labeled me "idiopathic" because after numerous tests to rule out most of the major diseases you mention, he couldn't pin down a cause. I did think diabetes at first as my gramdma died of it but my A1C was only 5.2.

[gabkad in reply to SueK2]

Many decades ago someone said to me 'idiopathic' means the patient is pathetic and the doctor is an idiot. The elephant in the room is your B12. Do you know for how long you were deficient? Anything under 200 pg/ml can cause neurological symptoms and the recommendation is to keep B12 over 500 pg/ml.

All that aside, PN can be permanent if it is caused by longstanding B12 deficiency. Someone on this forum (maybe Marz ) said that her lower legs are permanently numb. I might be wrong and misremembering.

A number of years ago I found an excellent video on YT about an American paediatrician who had been put into a nursing home. It turned out, because his friend wanted to get to the bottom of what was going on, his B12 was only 8! No one had tested it. Mind bogglingly negligent. Once he was put on injections, his cognitive function improved so he could work again but his legs were not back to normal and he walked with two canes.

[Sparklingsunshine in reply to gabkad]

I've had B12 issues since childhood but only started back on B12 jabs about 12 years ago. I had them when I was a kid but then they were stopped.

So I'm wondering if my ongoing pins and needles are in fact permanent neuro damage caused by years of low B12 and no treatment. Doctors I've spoken to just shrug and blame my Fibromyalgia, but then that gets blamed for everything.

[J972]

Hi, peripheral neuropathy can be associated with B12 deficiency. Here’s a post from yesterday which is definitely worth a look healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

[SueK2]

I'm currently taking B12 injections for the past 7 months, it helped a lot in the beginning but may take some time to alleviate the last remaining symptoms!

[Singwell]

Get your heart function checked too. As far as I know, heart issues can also cause peripheral neuropathy.

[humanbean]

I had peripheral neuropathy about 15 years ago and I discovered that I was suffering from low levels of Vitamin B6. (I never tested - I just assumed that I had a B6 deficiency since the B6 helped.) The peripheral neuropathy went away but I continued to take the B6. I was taking a high dose - 100mg per day.

A few months later my peripheral neuropathy started to come back. Then I discovered that too much B6 can also cause neuropathy, so I stopped taking it. I was quick off the mark in finding out what caused the second neuropathy symptoms so luckily it didn't become permanent. Nowadays I would not take a Vitamin B product with more than 10mg B6 per dose, although I've seen claims that 25mg doses are safe too. But I still prefer to err on the side of caution.

B6 deficiency : en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vitam...

B6 Toxicity : en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Megav...