neuropathy & synthroid connection? - Neuropathy Message Board

spark · 06-18-2003, 06:13 PM

A dear friend of mine has experienced neuropathy ?(unknown cause)in feet and around ankles for 5 years now. It is now getting worse and spreading up the front of his legs. It is bilateral. He has tried every remedy to no avail. We both have run across some information recently that there may be some connection between the fact that his thyroid was removed several years ago and he's on Synthroid (T4). Has anyone heard of this connection before?

avia · 06-21-2003, 12:52 PM

Is your friend Diabetic? This may cause the symptoms he is experiencing. No I have never heard of Synthroid causing neuropathy. Have you tryed the "Thyroid" board? You may get some answers there.

spark · 06-21-2003, 03:55 PM

thanks for your input...no he's not diabetic...but we do think we've found the clue...it's not the synthroid per say, he thinks he's one of those that the hypothyroidism doesn't react as well without getting the T3...synthroid has only T4, which is the controversy. the neuropathy is also present in his mom (not as severe) but she is also on synthroid...same with one of my aunts, it's weird, but seems to be a connection. He's been told many, many times that his hormone levels are fine, but with just one biological missing factor may be throwing the whole system off and affecting the nerves. He is seeing a trusted homeopathic MD in FL next month and we really believe he'll have the answer...this may be a biggie for a lot of people suffering all kinds of unknown pain that have hypothyroidism and because they are on a hormone and blood work shows normal the docs don't make a connection.

sunny3 · 06-24-2003, 12:44 PM

Your thinking and research regarding hormones and thyroid, in particular, make sense to me. I think many MD's do not understand how every cell is dependent upon the right hormonal combination to keep things humming along smoothly. I hope your friend will be able to find a doc who will treat until the symptoms respond and not just rely on the reported lab reports. Alot of thyroid questions were answered for one of my friends on Mary ******'s thyroid site. I do not think she is selling anything and there is no need to sign in to explore her articles. Good luck in your quest.
Sunny

cntrykid44 · 07-01-2003, 01:58 AM

Spark,
I also have thyroid problems and because of that the Dr's thought that my neuro problems was due to that. But with further investigation I ended up having Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease which is an inheirited disease. Since his mother also has the same problem it might be worthy of investigating. CMT hits all family members different. Some may have it and never be effected while a sibling or parent may be wheel chair bound.

------------------
Peace & Love - cntrykid44