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What Causes Numbness And Tingling In Feet, Digestive Problems And Weight Loss?

Posted on Sat, 29 Nov 2014

Question: I've developed peripheral neuropathy over the last 18 months that has gradually worsened. My feet are constantly numb and tingling, and they always hurt. My hands and feet will also cramp for several minutes at a time without relief. Sometimes, my hands and feet will feel ice cold, and I can't warm them. I am also experiencing severe digestive problems, which has led to unintentional weight loss--40 lbs in 2 months. I am overweight, but I do not have diabetes. I'm pretty sure that this is neurological, but I have no idea the cause. My doctor ordered blood tests to check for vitamin B deficiencies, but I don't have results yet. I had spine surgery 6 months ago for a herniated disc in C4/C5 with an artificial disc replacement. Could these symptoms be related to that surgery? Sometimes, I start limping because one or both of my ankles will feel fractured, even though they're not because the pain improves for a while--could that be related to everything else? Also, what will be the next step if the blood tests are normal? I'm so miserable and can't sleep or function normally. Thank you!

These results are from September 30, 2014, when I went to the ER for severe abdominal pain:

Component Standard Range Your Value
Vitamin B-12 254-1320 pg/mL 303
Folate 3.10-17.50 ng/mL 8.00

Is that B-12 value low enough to cause symptoms, even if it is still in the normal range?

Thank you!

Answered by Dr. Mukesh Chugh (26 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Little bit more information will be helpful

Detailed Answer:
Hello
Thanks for posting
I have gone through your query and understand your concern. To help you further please tell me -
1.How is your thyroid hormone status?
2.How is your menstrual cycle for last 6 months or so?
The burning sensation in your limbs may be caused by any disease which interferes with the blood and nerve supply of the legs. Although many medical conditions can cause this,Diabetes is the most common cause leading to nerve damage that is neuropathy.
In neuropathy, the leg nerves tend to become damaged first, at their furthest ends in the feet. This leads to tingling and numbness in the feet as well.This cause has been rulèd out in your case.
Do you smoke and take alcohol because there consumption may lead to tingling sensation in feet.
Beside diabetes other common causes are-
Chronic kidney disease (uraemia)
Vitamin deficiency (vitamin B12 and occasionally vitamin B6)
Alcohol abuse
Low thyroid hormone levels
Vasculitis (inflammation of blood vessels)

Cervical spine surgery does not looks to be the cause.
My advice for you would be get following blood test done to find the cause-Thyroid profile,blod urea and serum creatinine level.
Take care and I shall be glad to answer any further query
Regards

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

Follow up: Dr. Mukesh Chugh (17 minutes later)

Thank you. The most recent thyroid results I have are from 1 year ago. It was reported as <1.0. I had a hysterechtomy in 2001, so I have not had a cycle since then. I drink about 1 alcoholic drink/week, but have had 0 drinks/week for the last several months due to the digestive pain. I have never smoked. My last three tests for B12 levels within the last 12 months were normal. Is it possible that all of my symptoms are related to the sameunderlying neurological problem? Is there an explanation that would account for all of them? I know that you can't provide a diagnosis with such limited information, but I'm looking for information to research so I can be an informed consumer and understand the context of what my doctor will me. Thank you.

Answered by Dr. Mukesh Chugh (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
As follows

Detailed Answer:
Hello
You are welcome
I have gone through your reply and to me your suffering looks to be because of early surgical menopause along with ?:disturbed thyroid profile. You may send the full thyroid hormone report (T3,T4,TSH).It looks to be some underlying metabolic or neurological disorder. Hence,my suggestion would be to get in touch with the Endocrinologist or Neurologist for the treatment.
Hope I was able to answer your query.
Regards

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