Numbness in hands and feet, feeling cold, and fatigue can be symptoms of hypothyroidism.
Because the thyroid gland plays a crucial role in regulating many of the body's important processes (such as metabolism), an underactive thyroid can trigger a number of different symptoms—including a sensation of tingling in the hands and feet or other parts of the body.
Severe, long-term, untreated hypothyroidism can cause peripheral neuropathy. Although the association between hypothyroidism and peripheral neuropathy isn't fully understood, it's known that hypothyroidism can cause fluid retention resulting in swollen tissues. This can put pressure on peripheral nerves.
Many people with hypothyroidism, an underactive thyroid, complain of dry, cracked skin on the soles of their feet, particularly the heels. You may also notice that you get deep, painful fissures or that your skin seems almost leathery in thickness and appearance. This could be a sign to have your thyroid checked.
Neuropathy and hypothyroidism
Some common signs of hypothyroidism include muscle weakness, mental sluggishness, and an intolerance to the cold. Patients tend to also develop numbness, decreased sensation, slowed muscle contractions, and a loss of reflexes.
Subclinical hypothyroidism is a possible cause of sensory neuropathy and hormone replacement therapy can prompt nerve regeneration.
Yellowing of the soles of the feet: An accumulation of beta-carotene in the outer layer of the skin, including the palms of the hand and soles of the feet, creates a yellow appearance. Changes in the toenails:Too little or too much thyroid hormone can result in abnormalities of both the fingernails and toenails.
Severe, untreated hypothyroidism can cause fluid buildup that puts pressure on the nerves in your arms and legs. This can lead to tingling, pain, and numbness where the nerve is damaged.
Many patients who experience hypothyroidism, which is a condition caused by an underactive thyroid, report cracked, dry skin on the soles of their feet, especially on the heels. In some cases, they might also notice that your skin seems almost leathery in appearance and thickness and deep, painful fissures.
Guillain-Barre (gee-YAH-buh-RAY) syndrome is a rare disorder in which your body's immune system attacks your nerves. Weakness and tingling in your hands and feet are usually the first symptoms. These sensations can quickly spread, eventually paralyzing your whole body.
Sjogren's syndrome, lupus, and rheumatoid arthritis are among the autoimmune diseases that can be associated with peripheral neuropathy. Symptoms can range from numbness or tingling, to pricking sensations (paresthesia), or muscle weakness.
Treatment. Treatment of peripheral neuropathy due to hypothyroidism is directed at managing the underlying hypothyroidism and treating the resulting symptoms. This may include: Levothyroxine (Synthroid, Unithroid, others), which is a medication for hypothyroidism that often improves the symptoms of neuropathy.
Subclinical thyroid disease is a common disorder, particularly in middle-aged and elderly individuals. Some patients with manifest hypothyroidism complain of unsteadiness of gait.
Tingling in the feet or hands may feel unpleasant, but the cause is not usually serious. However, severe or persistent tingling may be a sign of an underlying condition, such as a pinched nerve, a vitamin deficiency, or diabetes complications.
Hypothyroidism, one of the most common endocrine disorders, may induce neurological abnormalities at an early stage of the disease.
If an underactive thyroid isn't treated, it can lead to complications, including heart disease, goitre, pregnancy problems and a life-threatening condition called myxoedema coma (although this is very rare).
Sensitive Skin and Skin Discoloration
Thyroid hormones also influence the quality of your skin in various ways. For example, with hyperthyroidism, you may notice itchy and dry patches of skin. Your face may feel softer and swollen. You may even notice swelling around your fingertips.
Cold feet: When thyroid function is diminished, circulation is reduced, and the skin may receive as little as one-fourth to one-fifth of the normal blood supply. Our lower extremities, including our feet, are especially vulnerable to poor circulation, particularly in cold seasons.
A swollen fingertip, curved nail, and thickening skin above a nail are often signs of thyroid disease.
Occasionally, the condition may resolve without treatment. Follow-up appointments are important to monitor hypothyroidism over time, however. If hypothyroidism doesn't go away on its own within several months, then treatment is necessary. If left untreated, this condition eventually may lead to serious health problems.
While uncontrolled hypothyroidism can be debilitating, controlled hypothyroidism is a treatable condition that typically does not affect someone's ability to work or live. It generally takes far less than 12 months to get Hashimoto's thyroiditis under control.
Yes, there is a cure for a majority of cases of hypothyroidism caused by Hashimoto's. Patients may completely reverse hypothyroidism with an individualized treatment plan including dietary changes, supplements, stress relief, peptide therapy, and thyroid medications.