Hypothyroid plus tingling in hands and feet, muscle cramps

Posted by Jenport @jenport, Jun 20, 2016

About 3 weeks ago, I began getting lightheaded and fatigue. Eventually, pins and needles developed in my hands and feet that come and go, but have worsened. Muscle cramps making it hard to walk have just begun. 3 weeks ago, my TSH was 31.2 and Vit D was 18; all other blood values were normal. Endo increased my synthroid, but symptoms have worsened. MRI has ruled out MS. I don't know where else to seek help, but I am quickly deteriorating. Any advice?

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Hi @jenport, and welcome to Connect. I'm glad you reached out to the group and hope that through connecting with others you're able to find some advice and relief. I'm tagging @coloradoroses and @michellecrcrn, two members who have recently discussed their experiences with hypothyroid.

I also found some information from Mayo Clinic on hypothyroidism that I think you may find helpful (http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hypothyroidism/symptoms-causes/dxc-20155382). Keep us posted on your journey @jenport. I'm sure the group would love to hear progress made, new methods of treatment, etc.

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Sorry haven't replied. Been going to dr appointments for my daughter who is suffering thyroiditis/nodules. That is a very high tsh number. It will take at least 4 weeks til you feel the medication working. In the meantime, try eliminating trigger foods also like dairy and gluten if you can. I'm curious to know if you've had antibodies tested(thyroglobulin and peri oxidase), t3, reverset3, ferritin, iron??

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@michellecrcrn

Sorry haven't replied. Been going to dr appointments for my daughter who is suffering thyroiditis/nodules. That is a very high tsh number. It will take at least 4 weeks til you feel the medication working. In the meantime, try eliminating trigger foods also like dairy and gluten if you can. I'm curious to know if you've had antibodies tested(thyroglobulin and peri oxidase), t3, reverset3, ferritin, iron??

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Thank you for responding. It's a little ironic that I just finished a grilled cheese sandwich and then read that I should avoid dairy and gluten. I've been reducing my fiber (I eat a high fiber diet) because of Synthroid absorption concerns, but I didn't realize that gluten and dairy are not good. What does it trigger? As far as other blood values, the only other one I see is the free T4 value which is 0.6. Hope your daughter is doing better.

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@michellecrcrn

Sorry haven't replied. Been going to dr appointments for my daughter who is suffering thyroiditis/nodules. That is a very high tsh number. It will take at least 4 weeks til you feel the medication working. In the meantime, try eliminating trigger foods also like dairy and gluten if you can. I'm curious to know if you've had antibodies tested(thyroglobulin and peri oxidase), t3, reverset3, ferritin, iron??

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Many foods cause inflammation responses and I think even some fruits and some veggies like broccoli can cause issues(goitrogens) I recently purchased the book Hashimoto's thyroiditis the root cause and found it to be very informative. Your freet4 seems low. But without other testing, it's hard to distinguish the cause. If you have hashimotos, then inflammation surely would cause many issues. Maybe try cutting out dairy for a month and see how you feel. Or refined sugars. I eliminated slowly as at first I was overwhelmed. But for me, dairy causes many problems including gut issues. It is different for every person, some can have certain foods, while others cannot. I highly recommend writing in a journal to help you see the "pattern". And thank you, we are awaiting blood tests for my daughter as she is showing symptoms of hashis. .

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@michellecrcrn

Sorry haven't replied. Been going to dr appointments for my daughter who is suffering thyroiditis/nodules. That is a very high tsh number. It will take at least 4 weeks til you feel the medication working. In the meantime, try eliminating trigger foods also like dairy and gluten if you can. I'm curious to know if you've had antibodies tested(thyroglobulin and peri oxidase), t3, reverset3, ferritin, iron??

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I will look up the book. I need to get a second opinion from a different endocrinologist, too. There's so many facets to this that I was never aware of, and need to have more insight. I am very overwhelmed right now because just small tasks increase my exhaustion, tingling in my hands, and muscle cramping. I will try to cut out dairy...

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@michellecrcrn

Sorry haven't replied. Been going to dr appointments for my daughter who is suffering thyroiditis/nodules. That is a very high tsh number. It will take at least 4 weeks til you feel the medication working. In the meantime, try eliminating trigger foods also like dairy and gluten if you can. I'm curious to know if you've had antibodies tested(thyroglobulin and peri oxidase), t3, reverset3, ferritin, iron??

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Exactly what I'm dealing with with my daughter. Fatigue, cold, cramping, tires easily with any form of exertion. Brought her to primary which blood tests show hypothyroid, ultrasound shows mild enlargement of both her lobes and a nodule. E.N.T(ear nose throat) dr sent her for another Ultra sound as he felt another lump, referred to pediatric endo(which I'm very unhappy with), still waiting on blood tests. But endo called it subclinical hypothyroid. Waiting for Monday to come. Cause I was told by endo dr Thursday or fridaybi would get a call about her labs. No call as of yet. Thinking of getting another opinion. As of the past few months, no medication no diet change was referred. I am looking into integrative dr now. Keep pushing Drs if you don't feel good. It's your body and Drs are to listen to their patients.

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@michellecrcrn

Sorry haven't replied. Been going to dr appointments for my daughter who is suffering thyroiditis/nodules. That is a very high tsh number. It will take at least 4 weeks til you feel the medication working. In the meantime, try eliminating trigger foods also like dairy and gluten if you can. I'm curious to know if you've had antibodies tested(thyroglobulin and peri oxidase), t3, reverset3, ferritin, iron??

Jump to this post

A second opinion is a good idea. I came across this article from a hypothyroid blogger and she shares different places to look for a doctor. Thought it might be helpful to pass along: http://hypothyroidmom.com/30-online-resources-to-find-a-good-thyroid-doctor/

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