I am Hypothyroid and have just been diagnosed with peripheral neuropathy ---are they connected in any way?

[nantoglen]

[Ansteynomad]

Probably - I have all the symptoms of peripheral neuropathy, but can't get a firm diagnosis or a tie in with hypo. Frustrating!

AN

[nantoglen in reply to Ansteynomad]

I know the feeling ----nobody wants to listen do they ---I get told Oh we will try this or that and see how you go!!!! Yes very frustrating

nantoglen

[FrankieD123 in reply to Ansteynomad]

I have been hypothyroid for going on 15 years now I've asked every doctor I've seen which have been many what's causing the neuropathy since I'm not diabetic as I said 15 years of asking i had surgery a couple weeks ago on my hand and had asked the hand surgeon what could be causing the neuropathy and when he looked at my chart he said u r hypothyroid I had to ask why no other doctor ever told me that could be the cause he just shrugged his shoulders and told me to do some research which I have now been doing i've been taking thyroid medicine for 15 years now it's just amazes me that no other doctor ever made the connection

[Seaker in reply to FrankieD123]

Hi, I also had no physician tell me of possible connection with thyroid until the acupuncturist I have seen mentioned it. Still not sure what true ramifications are of this connection.

[dogtired]

Me too......I have not been diagnosed hypo but 18 months ago my TSH was 0.03, last week it was 3.99......still within range here in Devon, although if I lived in Croydon it would be outside the range!! Hashimotos comes to mind......but my GPs are quite blinkered over symptom diagnosis.......they will dole out statins,PPI,s, trimethropim etc ad infinitum but suggest a trial of 25mg thyroxine and one would think that you had asked for a class A drug!!! I get tingling and numbness in feet and legs, a bruised sensation in muscles which comes and goes......even get numb patches in my face!

Hope you can get some joy from your lot ...if you do, please post the outcome.

best of luck

dogtired

[nantoglen in reply to dogtired]

Yes I agree with you ---with my limited knowledge I have maintained that my problems were nerve related but no I was sent to see a podiatrist 2 years ago, rheumatologist just recently and he told me after a thorough examination that is was Peripheral neuropathy. I have been told in the past that its osteo-arthritis and also at one point caused by being overweight--and yes I take all sorts of medication --from high BP tablets to allopurinol and colchicene ---I am sure all this expenditure on medication could be done away with if only I could get my hypothyroidism treated correctly. ( No one pays for their prescriptions in Scotland)

[Blue2 in reply to nantoglen]

I live in Buchan, and thoroughly agree with your frustration. Before I retired, I was a lab scientist and know my FT3 is low while all the other tests fall within the "normal" range. I trusted the biochemists I worked alongside, they were topnotch and their results reliable! Unfortunately, my GPs adhere to the 'TSH only' school, and pooh-pooh all the experience I gained from my work. I probably did more thyroid testing in one week than the pair of them have done in their GP lives, and frequently saw low FT4 + FT3 in the presence of "normal" TSH. Dr E says it's my diabetes causing my symptoms (yes dear doc, I became diabetic last year - my low FT3 was discovered 20 years ago!!) I expect you've been tested for diabetes though, and I agree about all the medication could be ditched, if they listened to the patient and dealt with patients' symptoms, rather lab tests only. I would be MORE than happy to pay for my medication, if it meant I could get my health (and life) back. You also need an adrenal check, as low adrenal function can go hand in hand with low thyroid function & can result in raised BP. I asked the Albyn about their thyroid tests and they are SO expensive - plus - your GP has to request them, so no help there! I've struggled on with low thyroid symptoms for ages and had "peripheral neuropathy" in my toes/feet for years BEFORE my diabetes started. I could weep, if I wasn't so angry.

[nantoglen in reply to Blue2]

Surprise surprise I live in Buchan too well I think AB41 is Buchan!!! Amazing reading your reply to my question and more so in that we agree on various things re hypothyroidism. I am not diabetic --have been tested for that recently .. I am in a lot of discomfort due to the weird sensation /numbness/pain in my feet and hands---hurts to even scratch my ear with my little finger---and to try and cut my fingernails or toe nails os painful too. Paracetamol has no effect whatsoever on the pain ,which is worse at night and often wakes me up--Yes I too could cry and do sometimes when the electric shock like pains shoot through my feet,legs ,hands and arms.

Just as a query ---I have been told by the nurse who takes my blood that the samples of blood frequently go astray ---I realise mistakes do happen but not as often as was implied by the nurse ---pondering??

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK]

Please be aware that it is possible to get the symptoms of peripheral neuropathy from low levels of vitamin B12. And, for several reasons, low B12 is very common in hypothyroidism.

One of the worrying aspects of low B12 is that it can result in irreversible nerve damage. Therefore, do not leave this issue in the hope it resolves itself.

Please request a B12 blood test - if possible, the new Active B12 test. As well as a regular Full Blood Count and folates.

If you start taking vitamin B12 supplements before being tested, any test result might look too high.

Treatment ranges from 1000 microgram tablets of methylcobalamin (or higher dose) through to regular injections of hydroxocobalamin from your GP. Generally simple enough once the need has been seen.

Rod

[nantoglen in reply to helvella]

Thanks for advice ---I do not hold out much hope of being able to have these blood tests you suggest---I have asked before for my t3 to be tested and was told " We dont do that"" end of story!!!

I have had my vitamin B level tested and was told I am ok !!

I will post here what happens at my next appointment with my Dr---have been referred to neurologist but thats months away --meanwhile just grin and bear it !!! Cannot take strong pain killers and paracetamol dont help very much --so just try to keep going .

Nantoglen

[greygoose]

Hi nantoglen, I have been told by one doctor that yes, it is connected. Nerve endings in the extremities die because of lack of thyroid hormone.

However, a neurologist seemed to think it was due to lack of B vitamins. But, given the fact that hypos have problems absorbing vitamins, it still comes back to being connected to hypothyroidism.

I have sever peripheral neuropathy in my feet, and have had it for over forty years. I have recently started taking B vits, especially B12, but so far no change. Have you been prescribed anything for it?

Hugs, Grey

[nantoglen]

Hi greygoose ---Thanks for the reply ---interesting to say the least. No ,not prescribed anything as yet but Gabapentin has been mentioned. I have this peripheral neuropathy in my feet and hands .. I have appointment with my Dr on 16th of this month--will know more then.

Nice one Grey ------Nantoglen

[Jackie]

Hi This is normally diabetes, one of the first symptoms and "funny " feet!. Make sure you have had Glucose and Hb1 Ac tests . It has the same symptoms to thyroid disease to start with. Autoimmune and hormonal. You do not need to be fat etc.Gabapetin is a nasty drug, I refused it!It only helps feel a bit better., as there is not treatment.

Best wishes,

Jackie

[healthforever]

Hi I've had hypothyroidism for 40 years now and I had a nerve conduction test done at Holtorf medical group and my left arm was totally unresponsive. The nurse did it 3 times and thought something was wrong with the device until she did it on the right arm and got a correct response. However, at that time I was diabetic and didn't know it, so it could have been a result of either hypo and/or diabetes (type 2). Another problem with hypo is insomnia. I've had problems sleeping forever and when I started taking some strong B12 supplements I slept better in years and could even remember my dreams. The B12 I bought from realfoodnetworks.com is the best. I don't work for them or get a commission. I'm only sharing what worked for me. I also take a LOT of B12! Not the usual amount . I'm talking 9-15 pills a day, which comes to around 15000 mgs of B12. That's the only way I know I'm getting enough. Yes it appears high on the blood test but I know how I feel without it and even in the normal range. Give your body 5-6 months to heal from the tingling and burning by taking lots of B12 and you will feel newer and younger than ever.

[DAISYX1]

yes they are! I was tested with an EMG yesterday and my doctor told me my neuropathy in my feet was caused from my hypothyroidism. As I read many articles from web searches it seems the burning sensation and pain comes when there is water retention, swelling of the feet. I have found that if I walk too long , this will trigger this. I as in so much pain, looking for a cure. I took a bath with Epson salt, that seemed to help. I think I should have just soaked just my feet, but my whole body was in pain. My doctor prescribed muscle relaxers and pain medication. I tried that and my mouth went dry and I felt too medicated. He also said to take vitamin B Complex Super 100. I also take vitamin B12. I am looking for holistic ways to live with this condition. Anyone that has any suggestions , please share. I read that exercise and proper weight may help.

[pammie123]

The medication levothyroxine/synthroid can cause neuropathy. Took me one year to figure it out myself.

[lynnwin]

Hi I know this is a old post but any improvement for you ? ..I have hashis diagnosed 2 years ago I had bad neuropathy years before my thyroid went hypo and was told it was stress .. It did ease having b12 injections but then my B12 went to 2000 and they stopped them and a year on still was at 2000 with no injections and no supplements

I am also a coeliac so don't absorb nutrients very well .. My neuropathy has flared again always in my legs grrrrr .. I take Levothyroxine but it seems that stress brings it on ? I need to get my b12 tested again as its over a year that all injections and supplements have stopped .. I find that transdermal magnesium helps me .. Just wondering I'd any improvement for you ? Take care Lynn xxx