Could this be ALS?

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Alpxx11

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Hi All

Just wanted some advice as I’m going mad here!

30, female, desk job as I wfh, gym go-er 2/4 x times per week, pretty active, 10k steps most days, under active thyroid for the last 7-8 years (hypothyroidism).

I did have a blip in December 22 & January 23 where my hypo went to hyper thyroid due to non compliance of medication. Since then I’m back on a correct dosage and the thyroid levels are coming in around range. I’m on levothyroxine.

In January I started to experience mild twitching in my legs which has since spread all body including my arms, face, behind my ears, lips & legs continued. I did put it down to my non compliance of medication but symptoms have since processed or worsened with the twitching.

The twitching isn’t all day & not localised, it’s as hoc. I would say a couple times an hour max approx 5-6. I can feel the internal vibrations more so when relaxed.

I did go to the doctor in March 23 and he said it could be a folic deficiency. Blood works suggest I’m in range.

Further symptoms:

Hands feels occasionally weak and numb (potential carpal tunnel like system due to my desk job which requires me to use mouse a lot)
Full body twitching continued as mentioned above.
Left ankle gives way for a week or so after walking circa 20 mins. Could usually walk an hour + with no issues as I go gym often. I can still walk well with no weakness but ankle just pains/aches after 20 mins.
Right leg calf muscle feels tense with no injury. Almost very stiff but no muscle loss.
I can still walk balanced and coordinated. No gait issues. No loss of strength or muscle loss based on appearance in the last 6m.
Occasional prickling feeling/sensation across arms & legs. Almost like paresthesia.

Can anyone help advise if they suspect this is related to ALS?

I have made an app with my GP but it isn’t for another 3 weeks. Any advice would be much appreciated as I’m losing my mind.
 
I do not have this suspicion. If you are not taking an RDA-level (not extra) balanced B complex, especially if your diet is plant-based, it may be worth trying. Blood levels are not always the same as what nutrients are available for use.

You can find numerous gentle stretches for potential carpal tunnel on YouTube, and ask for a hand specialist referral if things do not improve. But prevention is key, so looking at the ergonomics of your workspace and improving it if needed is also suggested. For example, many people put extra strain on their hands/wrists with their keyboard level/angle and on their back/legs/hips with a chair setup that is the wrong height or too static.

Twitches and stiffness can feed on each other, past what you'd expect and if the twitching related to unstable thyroid levels, it isn't necessarily going to resolve in a flash. So I wouldn't be quick to put all this in one bucket.

Best,
Laurie
 
I’m not certain if the twitching is connected to the thyroid levels going to hyper. The twitching started around the same time, I’m assuming it may be interlinked but not certain as my doc said it’s not a symptom of hypo which I am now. But as mentioned I’ve recently got my thyroid levels closer to okay ranges. It’s still at 5 tsh which is clinically under active but I’m worried, that the all body twitching is independent. Given my thyroid levels are back in range & the twitching still hasn’t disappeared. Any advise?
 
You are sabotaging your own inner peace if you expect twitching to disappear and are worried when it doesn't. Often there are multiple causes and it's well, there until it's not.

Twitching may not be as much associated with hypo- as with hyperthyroidism, but when levels are moving around. anyone can be affected. But the point is -- though most people never identify a single cause of twitching, no one dies from it. And any other weird feelings that follow it are often the product of hypervigilance, not a serious physical condition.
 
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