Neuropathy, what does it feel like?

[North48]

What are the symptoms or the feeling of hypothyroidism neuropathy?  I have a TSH that has ranged from 2.2 to 3.14 and a Free T4 .9 to 1.1. My antibodies come back negative TPO and TGab.  The doctors insist I do not have a thyroid problem.  I have many symptom of low thyroid tired all the time, weight gain, dry skin, headaches, losing my hair and the hair has gotten dry and curly, thin brittle nails, foggy thinking, dizzy or light headedness, numbness in my fingers for the last 4years and joint pain and muscle spasms.  I have been to a neurologist in regards to the numb fingers and they thought it was thyroid related so when the TSH came back "normal" they did a nerve test and that was inconclusive.  I happened to stumble on to an article about hypothyroidism neuropathy and have been trying to get as much info on this as I can.  No one has been able to explain to me why my fingers are numb.

[Barb135]

Aleve Arthritis caps are my pain reliever of choice.  For night time aches/pains, my endo suggested tylenol PM; since it has both pain reliever and sleep aid.  Of course, you should talk to your doctor before taking OTC pain relievers; there may be a medical reason that you shouldn't take them.  

Not sure what you mean by "vitamin form" - do mean, as in a multi vitamin?  Or a B complex?  You can try it that way; however, I think most people have better luck with it as simply vitamin B12 in either sublingual or liquid form.

[sunflower642]

Have you found any pain relievers to help? I have had burning/tingling arms for about 2 weeks straight and Advil and Tylenol don't work.  I am so sleep deprived bc I can't fall asleep.  A hot shower will help sometimes.   Also, can the B12 be in vitamin form to help?

[Barb135]

With so many issues that could cause neuropathy, I don't see how you would be able to tell the difference.  About the only thing I would be able to suggest is to try different things that might help alleviate the symptoms, and if you find something that works, stick with it.

For me, thyroid med did nothing for my neuropathy, but my B12 shots do; I'm currently up to once/week on those.  I still have some neuropathy, but as I mentioned before, my doctor said that damage would be permanent because my pernicious anemia went untreated for so many years.

Yes, your B12 levels are "normal" at 300; however, very low in the range.  I find that, like thyroid levels, B12 has to be high in the range, for me, or I don't feel well.  You could try a sublingual (under the tongue) or a liquid B12.  either of these would be more readily absorbed than pills.  

[Lori707]

I posted on here April 7th that I had just found out that I have Hashi's. Been sick for 4yrs now and found out this past Jan. that I had a reactivation of my Lymes disease that I had twice before which started 24yrs. ago. I have Chronic Lymes. Was told that Lymes reduces the immune system which in turn causes autoimmune issues. Hashi is common with Lymes as I was told. I have "autoimmune phenomenon" per my diagnose from my Rhuematologist and Neurologist. My EMG's, SSEP, and others came out abnormal. My blood pressure and pulse goes from way up to way down in a minute.  I'm systemic. Have inflammatory arthritis, different kinds of neuropathies all over my body, Candida, my body PH is acidic, had 6 bleeding colon ulcers, inflammation of my pancreas and liver etc.  I'm currently working with a good Endo doc, a Rhuematologist and an "LLMD". Lymes Literate Doctor.  The LLMD is trying to  get rid of the Canida, regulate my PH and then put me on IV antibiotics for the Lymes. Doc is also trying to increase my immune system which is showing low. (CD57).

Since it's so difficult for me to keep my Vit.D in check, I'm taking 9.000IU daily. I do not recommend this to anyone. I finally got my level to 59 from 8.5 which gave me osteoporosis. My ferritin went from 10 to 15. I still have awful muscle cramps throughout my body and terrible vibrations, like a tuning fork, throughout my body and head. I take extra magnesium but it hasn't helped. I had very dry skin until I started my Synthroid and then it became smooth. Now my skin is becoming dry again and I'm losing hair. I get fogged brained and can't sleep.  My T4,TSH,T3 etc. were all coming out good. Then my T4 went low and my test for the antibodies was 483. The doctor said I must have had Hash's for years.  I have asked for Vit B12 shots and was told no since I was in normal range in the 300's. I was told to take the pill that you put under your tongue.

Question:
Since I have several conditions that can cause these neurological discorders and mucsle disorders, I wonder if the Hashi's is the root cause of my neuopathies. How would I know the difference?

Thanks!

[sunflower642]

I agree with you that there is comfort in knowing someone else is out there like you.  I am having neuropathies right now in my arms and the Endo just referred me to a Neuro so I am at the beginning of this journey.  Mine all started after I started taking Levothroid, within 2 weeks.  I have been off the Levo for a month but the sensations are still there.  I tell my husband it feels as if someone just injected me with a warm liquid that runs down my arm.  So glad to hear that after all of your tests, they came back clear.  I hope you do well with managing the symptoms.

[LazyMoose]

I am saying it can get much better if its from thyroid levels, it can get better for some if  FT3 is raised to the upper third of the range.

My feet get hot and tingly and I get carpel tunnel feeling in hands when my FT3 is lower than mid point. Even after raising levels it took months to get better by the week. My glucose also gets elevated with low FT3 and that is know to cause neuropathy in diabetics. MY FT3 is in the upper third and my glucose dropped into a health range. I also take magnesium, which helps nerves and muscle function. It is 80-90% better. I have read that some permanent nerve damage is possible from untreated or under treated hypothyroid, just like in diabetics. So some may never heal 100% as a result of scare tissue in the nerve shieths. I was told I might have this in the hands. And the ability to heal depends how long you had the symptoms in many people.

For some its about calcium levels or B12. No guessing, these need to be tested just like FT3 and fasting glucose.

Trousseau's sign is numbness, tingling,  WITH a blood pressure cuff. If you have it without the cuff, then yes could be from thyroid or some deficiencies.