What Causes Tingling Sensation In Neck And Left Shoulder?

Posted on Mon, 20 Apr 2015

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Mon, 20 Apr 2015 Answered on

Mon, 11 May 2015 Last reviewed on

Question : I am getting a tingling feel in the left side of my neck and left shoulder that comes and goes. It doesn't seem to go down my arm but I have also noticed a slight tingling in my left leg, too. I have Diabetes (II) and am wondering if this is just a circulation problem instead of possible heart issues.

Answered by Dr. Shehzad Topiwala (42 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Tingling

Detailed Answer:
The symptoms you are reporting are important to evaluate further. When I see a person with diabetes in my practice, who presents to me with complaints similar to yours I refer them to the emergency room to make sure there is no stroke-like problem.
People with diabetes are at a higher risk for stroke.

Tingling on one side of the body can be a sign of such a problem.

However, do not panic and speak with your primary care provider as to the next best step in this situation.

Circulation problems do not generally result in symptoms of this nature.

Blood tests like

TSH
CBC
and
CMP are helpful because electrolyte problems such as low calcium can also cause tingling in limbs

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar