left sided facial tingling/positional

[Janie1210]

I've been dealing with facial tingling for 6 months. I've been to the family doctor, chiropractor, physical therapy, dentist and neurologist.I've had an MRI of the C-spine and an MRI/contrast of the brain and neck. I have narrowing in my neck at three places, the brain was unremarkable ( like I haven't heard that before  ) I'm scheduled for an ENT next. It's been frustrating,but not painful and to make matters worse I've been feeling dizzy the last three weeks as well. If I tilt my head to the left and try and relax my neck and shoulders, I can relieve it (tingling). I have also experienced goosebump feelings down my left leg. I'm a hairdresser and know that the positions that I maintain throughout the day probably exacerbate the problem. I was intrigued by the suggestion of a TSH test, especially since I have Hoshimoto's Thyroiditis and hypothyroidism. What bearing would the thyroid have on the tingling ?
Thank You

[Janie1210]

   Thank you for the information. It's pretty much what I've been hearing from the different doctors that I've seen. I'll just keep on plugging away. I'm not in severe pain, for which I'm grateful.

[Adult Neurology, M.D.]

Thanks for using the forum. I am happy to address your questions, and my answer will be based on the information you provided here. Please make sure you recognize that this forum is for educational purposes only, and it does not substitute for a formal office visit with a doctor.

Without the ability to examine and obtain a history, I cannot tell you what the exact cause of the symptoms is. However I will try to provide you with some useful information.

Thyroid disturbances can affect all body symptoms since the hormone is so important for cells of all organ systems. Thyroid dysfunctions can potentially cause nerve problems because of low/high levels of hormones. Alternatively having an autoimmune disease like Hashimoto’s thyroiditis may put you at an elevated risk of having other autoimmune disease which can in turn cause nerve problems.

You mentioned that you had narrowing in your neck in 3 places.  Small herniations/protrusions are quite common. They are very often present without causing any significant symptoms. However, if the MRI shows the herniations are pressing on the spinal cord or it shows that the neural foramina (the spaces/bony canal through which nerves exit the spinal cord to get to all the muscles/body) are narrowed, then one can get symptoms of muscle weakness and tingling in the region supplied by those affected nerves.

However a problem with nerves in the neck area shouldn’t cause facial tingling.

I am glad you had a MRI brain which was normal because that rules out many sinister causes like tumors, strokes, brain infections, inflammatory lesions.
herniation. Disk degeneration results in loss of disk space, with closer approximation of the vertebrae on either side of the involved disk space and subsequent impingement on the neural foramen. The decrease in size of the neural foramen results in nerve root compression. The cervical disk spaces are more often affected. Disk herniation also occurs more often in these.

I think it is quite reasonable for you to continue evaluation by seeing an ENT physician especially since you are describing the new symptom of dizziness.
Thank you for this opportunity to answer your questions, I hope you find the information I have provided useful, good luck.

[oldnurse001]

I was diagnosed  Hashimotos thyroiditis 4 yrs ago, and have been on Synthroid since.   Suddenly in April I started to have random twitching all over my body, but mainly my legs. I did'nt think much of it.  I thought it was something benign as I tend to execise frequently, well used to.   Six months later I started getting severe twitching, and muscle spasm  as if I've got a snake slithering in my leg muscles, as well as burning sensations to upper and lower extremities, and facial numbness.  I've seen a neurologist and all test are negative.   I stopped the meds for about 3 weeks and I began to feel some relief, but my endo completely disagrees that  the medication is the culprit causing my symptoms.  Anyone else with hypothyroidism experiencing neuromuscular symptoms?