How does hypothyroidism lead to paresthesia?mechanisms anyone???HELPPPPPP~~!!?!
Question: The mechanism isn't entirely understood. Here's my sketching understanding, which is probably not completely accurate: Thyroid hormones are known to play a role in the metabolism and development of nerve cells, and this role is disrupted by hypothyroidism. It appears that the myelin sheath on axons begins to degenerate without sufficient levels of thyroid hormones, and regeneration of damaged nerves also seems to slow down. Loss of the myelin sheath is what ultimately causes the nerve sensations. Mylein prevents various ions from diffusing into nerve fibers. When the myelin is lost, electrolytes stimulate the nerves which causes tingling sensations.
Answers: The mechanism isn't entirely understood. Here's my sketching understanding, which is probably not completely accurate: Thyroid hormones are known to play a role in the metabolism and development of nerve cells, and this role is disrupted by hypothyroidism. It appears that the myelin sheath on axons begins to degenerate without sufficient levels of thyroid hormones, and regeneration of damaged nerves also seems to slow down. Loss of the myelin sheath is what ultimately causes the nerve sensations. Mylein prevents various ions from diffusing into nerve fibers. When the myelin is lost, electrolytes stimulate the nerves which causes tingling sensations.
According to an Australian patient resources pins and needles (paresthesia) can be caused by the following :
- Pressure on nerves
- Reduced blood supply
- Nerve injury
- Hyperventilation or breathing excessively
- The effect of toxic substances on the nerves, such as alcohol or lead
- Certain medications
- Diabetes
- Multiple sclerosis
- Hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid gland)
- Transient Ischaemic Attack (TIA)
- Stroke.hypothyroidism, porphyria, uremia, and vitamin B12 deficiency can cause paresthesias ....I would consult your doctor as soon as you can....
All metabolically active cells require thyroid hormone to function as they should and a hormone deficiency causes body processes to slow down. Systemic effects are either due to derangements in metabolic processes or direct effects by myxedematous infiltration, which is an accumulation of glucosaminoglycans in the tissues.
The myxedematous changes in the heart result in decreased contractility, cardiac enlargement, pericardial effusion, decreased pulse, and decreased cardiac output. What this means in terms of paresthesia is that decreased cardiac output is poor circulation. Pin & needles, numbness, call it what you like, this is paresthesia.