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.

[North48]

WOW!!!! Thanks to all of you and this site, everyone of you is awesome!!

I never heard that about the B12 levels being under 400 can cause neuropathy.  My grandmother had pernicious anemia and hashimoto and so does my son so my family history is there.

I have had these numb finger for almost 4 years.  It first started in my forefinger and the middle finger and with in a year they all went numb on both hands at the same time.  Obviously I have all the symptoms of thyroid problems or low B12 so why do these doctors strictly go by lab numbers and ranges? I think I'm causing more harm by not doing anything instead of trying some thyroid or B12 shots.

[Lori575]

Yep, I had both a NCV and an EMG.  He is a very thorough neurologist (some say overkill, but not me....I say better to be safe then sorry).  I don't know if nerves can heal or if the damage is/was "permanent," but he did say there was minimal damage, which, coupled with the other off-the-wall symtpoms I had, began a slew of other tests. Like I said, the only thing he came up with was that it was all from the Hashi's/Graves.  It was the strangest/scariest/horrible thing I've ever gone through.  We really thought I had MS, so I'm thankful that was negative.
I haven't been tested in a few months.  I should ask to be tested.  My hair/nails are seeming a little dry too, but nothing major.  I probably should get it checked again and see if Cytomel is for me or not.  What brand are you changing from/to?

[juliva]

Your B 12 maybe low anything under 400 although within "Normal Range" can cause neuropathy. That could be your problem. My hubby's was about the same numbers as yours and they started him on B 12 injections and it stopped all of the burning and tingling in his left hand but he needed surgery on the right. Unless your lab uses different reference ranges from ours most likely that could be your problem.  Our Lab Stated right on the report anything lower then 400 has been known to cause neuropathy in some individuals. Might want to check that out!

[kl42]

i also had severe neuropathy. had a bunch of neurological test. all negative. emg. mris.of the brain/thoracic spine.  . neurologist said it was from nerve inflammation,  it went away after 8 months. then they found my enlarged multinodular thyroid by accident due to finding it on one  of the mri of my thoracic spine.  thyroid gone . and all nerve  problems are gone now too.  i think it was all connected. somehow.it started with a bad virus , somehow it's all connected.  Kevin

[LazyMoose]

Just curious, did a doctor say you have permanent nerve damage? Did you take those tests where they put wires on the end of your limbs?

Are you still hypo a little , or low on T3.?  Synthroid did nothing for my body and nerve pain. Dessicated and even cytomel helps with that.

I still have burning feet after standing, but I'm hypo and raising meds at the moment (changed brands),

[Barb135]

I have pernicious anemia (vitamin B12 deficiency) and that a causes neuropathy also.  I take b12 shots every 2 weeks (wanted to take them weekly, but pcp won't let me because the shots I take keep my levels at mid range).  The shots help considerably, but I do still have some neuropathy in my hands and feet.  My doctor said he thought I'd had pernicious anemia for a long time and because it went so long not being treated he thought the damage would be permanent.

I do also take magnesium.  I'm not sure that it does much for the tingling, numbness, but it sure does help with muscle aches and pains.

Lori707 -- you should not use soy products when taking thyroid med anyway.  I check all the labels to make sure there's no soy in my food or supplements.