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What Causes Severe Pain In Lower Arms, Hands, Lower Legs And Feet?
Question: My husband was recently hospitalized with a severely irritated thyroid, very swollen. Since his release almost three weeks ago, he has suffered with major pain daily in his lower arms and hands as well as his lower legs and feet. He has to use ice pack on hands to get some relief and walk the floors to help with his feet. He doesn't sleep well at all; just an hour or two and then he is up with the pain. He has been taking tramadal and oxicodine, neither of which give the relief he needs. His primary doctor is baffled.
What could be causing this and what should we do different.
What could be causing this and what should we do different.
Brief Answer:
Thyroid
Detailed Answer:
Sorry to learn about your husband's bothersome symptoms.
His thyroid status needs to be checked to make sure it is functioning ok.
When I see someone like him in my practice, I typically order the following blood tests in addition to a detailed physical examination:
CBC (Complete Blood Count, also known as Hemogram; includes Hemoglobin, WBC and Platelet counts)
Electrolytes (Sodium and Potassium in particular)
HbA1c (Glycosylated Hemoglobin = your last 3 months' glucose average). Also known by other names such as GlycoHemoglobin or Glycated Hemoglobin or A1c
Liver function tests (SGOT , SGPT, Albumin, Bilirubin, Alkaline Phosphatase)
Kidney function tests (BUN, Creatinine)
TSH (checks your thyroid)
Free T4 (this too checks your thyroid)
25 hydroxy Vitamin D levels (ideal range 40 to 60 ng/ml = 100 to 150 nmol/liter)
None of these tests require any fasting and can be done at any time of the day
Thyroid
Detailed Answer:
Sorry to learn about your husband's bothersome symptoms.
His thyroid status needs to be checked to make sure it is functioning ok.
When I see someone like him in my practice, I typically order the following blood tests in addition to a detailed physical examination:
CBC (Complete Blood Count, also known as Hemogram; includes Hemoglobin, WBC and Platelet counts)
Electrolytes (Sodium and Potassium in particular)
HbA1c (Glycosylated Hemoglobin = your last 3 months' glucose average). Also known by other names such as GlycoHemoglobin or Glycated Hemoglobin or A1c
Liver function tests (SGOT , SGPT, Albumin, Bilirubin, Alkaline Phosphatase)
Kidney function tests (BUN, Creatinine)
TSH (checks your thyroid)
Free T4 (this too checks your thyroid)
25 hydroxy Vitamin D levels (ideal range 40 to 60 ng/ml = 100 to 150 nmol/liter)
None of these tests require any fasting and can be done at any time of the day
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
I appreciate your concern for my husband. We have had follow-up blood work done since his release and the counts look good....any other suggestions?
Brief Answer:
Follow up
Detailed Answer:
If all the above test results are normal , particularly the thyroid then it is going to require more specialist consultations in-person to try and reach a diagnosis. For example, he may need to be checked by a neurologist to start with
Follow up
Detailed Answer:
If all the above test results are normal , particularly the thyroid then it is going to require more specialist consultations in-person to try and reach a diagnosis. For example, he may need to be checked by a neurologist to start with
Note: For more information on hormonal imbalance symptoms or unmanaged diabetes with other comorbid conditions, get back to us & Consult with an Endocrinologist. Click here to book an appointment.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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