Can thyroid probs cause neuropathy

[alilsick]

Hi I'm new to all this so I hope I'm doing this right. I have a question that I can't seem to find an answer to on the internet. 5 years ago I have been diagnosed with thyroid problems. I am self pay because I have not had insurance in a loooong time so I dont get the correct treatment all the time for my thyroid. I know that untreated thyroid problems can eventually start messing with the rest of your organs and body parts and can cause alot of damage to whatever it wants to damage. O.k. heres my question, can having thyroid problems cause neuropathy, nerve damage muscle problems or anything like in that area? For the past 4 years my feet and legs ache alot, it almost feels like someones injected acid into my muscles. I get alot of leg jumps and at night I awaken to charlie horses on my calves. I kick myself awake alot and at night is when they hurt the most. I also have had shingle off and on for the past 3 years and I don't know if that has anything to do with this topic or question.

[mtgardner]

If the potassium was prescribed by a doctor then you should phone and ask about taking it for the test.   I am a little leery of taking potassium as a supplement without medical advice as a small amount can have such an effect on the heart.  The body needs potassium but a small level makes a big difference.  Also potassium levels fluctuate in some people so if you trend low at times you may need more frequent checks.

If you are off potassium now I would stay off it for the test to get an accurate assessment.  Get the test done soon however. You want to identify the deficiency and treat it as soon as possible.  It is important that your doctor know you run low.  Talk to him/her about it.  If you don't have a regular doctor try to establish a relationship with one.

As far as not having insurance, I know that is hard.  Sometimes there are clinics in communities that have sliding scale payment.  I would hope there is something like this near you so you don't have exorbitant costs.  Ask up front about cost and explain you don't have insurance.  Let me know how it all goes! Marie

[alilsick]

Thank you so much for sharing that article with me. I had my potassium checked about a year ago and it was pretty low, I had bought over-the-counter potassium pills and it did help. I hadn't checked it lately and do need that done asap, because it's pretty painful especially around my period. I was good about taking them everyday and I slowly just stopped taking them, quick question here, should I not take them to get a true reading on my potassium test? or do i still take them anyway and see if I should get a result with it regularly in my system? well that question did make sense in my head hope it does in yours.

[mtgardner]

Here is a good article on thyroid and neuropathy.  

http://www.suite101.com/content/thyroid-disease-and-neuropathy-symptoms-a140669

I hope this helps!  Marie

[mtgardner]

Low potassium can also cause leg cramps and leg jumps so you can have your famliy doctor check for that.  The answer is yes thyroid disease can lead to neuropathy but it is rare.  I have just been diagnosed with that as the probable cause of my neuropathy.  I will be happy to share what I can of what I find out as I go along.  I am newly diagnosed with neuropathy although my feet have bothered me for quite a long time before testing..  Adjustment of your thyroid is important too.  

I found a good article on thyroid and neuropathy but I am having difficulty getting it to paste into this response.  I may have to make another post to show it to you but it does clearly show the connection.  An important point made is that often the person also has other autoimmune things going on that contribute.  So it is important to consider other symptoms as well.  In some ways the neuropathy of thyroid is similar to that in diabetes in that they are both hormonally based.  Making sure your thyroid has been tested for both Free T3 and Free T4 as well as antibodies and TSH is important.

Marie