Hypothyroidism and Peripheral Neuropathy

rohit456 · Newcomer Joined: 21 Mar 2007 Posts: 1

Hi ,
I just registered on this forum to find out an answer or some one who is experiencing same symptoms.
In Last may 2006 i started having some tingling in feet and some numbness in my hand and feet and also having muscles spasm . I went to doctor first time they perform series of test but could not find anything , by the way at time my TSH was 3.49 but doctor thought it is in range so not worried about that . Then i went Neurologist to see if he can hep with numbness and tingling in my hand and feet and some weakness i also had symptoms of fatigue/depression and lack of energy . He did perform some test again which include complete CBC/Thyroid panel . He found my tsh went up around 13 , he also performed EMG which turn out everything normal . I started with stannford endo,she gave Levothyroxine 100mcg , my most of the symptoms resolved but still have muslces weakness /eye floaters/muscles spasm (some time) instead of numbness and tingling i started having burning sensation on legs and arms . I tested Diabeties and that is normal . So now my doctor started 75mcg or Levoxyl and 10mcg Cytomel to see that help but still have sysmptoms of fatigues/dry skin which create itchy skin and hives also /still have trouble sleeping because of peripheral neuropathy.
I am wondering if some one share their thoughts about Hashimotos and PM connection , would i get better ever on muscles spasm / muscles weakness/ cold burning sensation.

Thanks

jeanae_j · Newcomer Joined: 30 Sep 2008 Posts: 1 Location: Kansas

I am new here but I just wanted to reply to you about the neuropathy that you are having. I have Hashimoto's Thyroiditis and Cronic Fatique Syndrome but I also have, what I was told, is a Progressive Neuropathy that causes pins'n'needles with quite a lot of burning sensation in my legs, arms, and even in my trunk some. I would be interested in what you find out about your neuropathy.
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Jeanae

emma · Newcomer Joined: 13 Dec 2008 Posts: 2

Hi! I have Hashimoto's thyreoiditis since 2001., levels of my hormones are still ok, but I am having a burning sensations and tingling in my legs and arms. Simptoms are worsening in spring and fall and in a hot bathtub. Sometimes they get worse at night, sometimes not. Occasionally I have tingling in my feet too. Burning sensation can be realy bad and varies during the day. EMG shoved mild sensory and motor neuropathy. I havent done spinal tap and MRI because I was afraid of it. Is this burning related to Hashimoto's disease?

bandrews · Posted: Sat Dec 13, 2008 2:56 pm Post subject:

Hi Emma,

I don't think burning and tingling sensations are a symptom of Hashimoto's. If your doctor is recommending those tests, you probably should listen. An MRI is painless. I don't know about the spinal tap, but maybe you can ask to just do an MRI. Doctors can tell a lot from them. Is it an MRI of your brain or what?
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Forum Administrator

emma · Newcomer Joined: 13 Dec 2008 Posts: 2

Hi! Yes it's MRI of brain and perhaps spine. Yes they can rull out MS or CIDP but nothing else (they can confirm that neuropathy is central too). They need spinal tap for diagnosis Sad

. And not rarely the cause can not be foud. Doctor told me that antibodies that circulate in Hashymoto's disease can damage nerves too. I wold like too hear from someone who has similar simptoms. Burning can be really bad, and tingling, pain sometimes. I'm wondering does person who has autoimmune disease can use drugs for incraeasig immunity like aloa vera, ehinacea...(I asked my doctor but he wasn't certain)

Hopeful285 · Newcomer Joined: 11 Aug 2009 Posts: 1

Hi,
I have burning sensations also and I have Lyme Disease and Hashimoto's.
I know that burning,numbness, tingling is a sign of Lyme, but I know it can be other autoimmune diseases also.
Lyme disease and a bad reaction to Lexapro triggered the Hashimoto's
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Hopeful285

Ginny · Newcomer Joined: 23 Mar 2008 Posts: 11 Location: UK

Yes the tingling sensation can be attributed to Hashimoto's but not sure about the burning sensation, usually Hashi's means cold feet and hands. However, Hashi's can deplete amongst other things) Vitamin B12 and ferritin and B12 insufficiency can definitely cause peripheral neuropathy.

Perhaps before you have all these other expensive tests you should have a simple blood test for Vitamin B12, ferritin (iron stores) and folate as these three all work together to ensure good blood quality. B12 needs to be between 500 - 1000 , ferritin about 90 for women and 120 for men and folate about 3/4 of its range. Take a look at http://www.pernicious-anaemia-society.org/ and visit their forum.

I have Hashimoto's, Pernicious Anaemia, Coeliac and Adrenal Insufficiency

bandrews · Posted: Thu Sep 03, 2009 11:09 pm Post subject:

Hi Ginny,

Do you have a link to a reputable web site article that lists tingling as a Hashimoto's symptom? I have not heard of that. I have Hashimoto's and I don't think I have ever experienced that, but I know everybody is different.

thanks,
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Forum Administrator

Ginny · Newcomer Joined: 23 Mar 2008 Posts: 11 Location: UK

Here are one or two UK Thyroid Support Groups which do mention the lesser known symptoms of Hypothyroidism

http://www.tpa-uk.org.uk/symptoms_hypot.pdf(numbness and tingling)

http://thyroid-disease.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=section&id=5&Itemid=30 (tingling and numbness in extremeties)

http://www.thyroiduk.org/ (select Hypothyroid from menu on left and Signs & Symptoms from drop down menu, Under General - pins and needles.

Not sure where to look on your US sites, hope these can be thought of as fairly reputable:

http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/120937-overview (peripheral neuropathy under History

http://health.nytimes.com/health/guides/disease/chronic-thyroiditis-hashimotos-disease/symptoms.html

Fortunately, this seems to cease to be a problem when fully and optimally
medicated.

Ginny

bandrews · Posted: Tue Sep 08, 2009 6:07 pm Post subject:

Thanks for the links. Not sure about the NY Times. Smile

But anyway... now that I think about it, I used to wake up in the night with my arms and hands asleep. I wonder if that counts? I haven't had those symptoms since taking Levoxyl.
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Barry Andrews
Forum Administrator

Ginny · Newcomer Joined: 23 Mar 2008 Posts: 11 Location: UK

It certainly would count, and that is exactly the way many people describe this symptom - waking up with hands and arms tingling. I am glad you are alright on your Levoxyl, T4 alone doesn't suit everyone and they are the ones who come to the thyroid forums seeking help.

Ginny

AquaLilly · Newcomer Joined: 12 Jul 2010 Posts: 1 Location: NYC

Yes, Virginia ! Hashimoto's w/ Polynueopathy does exist ! Read Jim Lowrence's books & www.PUBMED.com ETC.
I have this now for over 18ms ! MS has been ruled out, through MRI w & w/o contrast & Lumbar Puncture.
I have Hashimoto's Thyroid since May 1983 as do my mother, brother's & 2 adult children. It is not my only auto immune disease. I have had Interstitial Cystitis since age 2 1968 & Fibromyalgia (internal & external) since age 37 June 2004.
My most recent test last week was a PET/CT of my whole body & My Right Thyroid Lobe's 5 yr+, painful 2cm. nodule glowed to the power of 13.7 SUV MAX. The rest of my body was fine.
I've had 2 Biopsies in the last 9 ms, & they were both negative, however, because Biopsies have a 10% Failure rate, I am having my thyroid removed.
As a medical professional, I agree w/ Jim Lowrence, Hashimoto's Encephalopathy can come in various forms of lesser intensity.
However, as a patient & Hashimoto's patient of almost 30 years, I must ask all Endocrine Club members, do you feel my condition will become worse or better with a thyroid removal ? Obviously the report correlates with malignancy, so I really don't have much choice, but I would still appreciate as much input as possible.
Thank you,
AquaLilly