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What Causes Pain In The Toes Of The Left Leg?
Question: I am 50 years of age 5'-8" 203 lbs, 34 " waist athletic build, with a very slow metabolism, and low T as well. So over the past 6 months I have lost nearly 50 lbs. with a goal of 180 lbs. due to change in lifestyle, including dietary, and exercise.
What I have noticed is my toes on my left leg seem to ache, not stingingly or burning but more like they were stubbed hard. There are several things that could be a factor, my personal physician helped me begin the weight loss with a pperscription of Phentimine 37mg, which I when I take it certainly has positive effects on my body with digestion and stabilizing my appetitie. The second thing that I have was I had an accident 30 years ago where my left leg was cut through at the synovial joint and severed my thigh muscles completely, topped my knee cap, and essentially I cut through the femur past 50%. The Doctor who did the repair reminded me on my final exam post surgery that someday around the age of 50 I would begin to feel the effects of this injury and subsequent repair. I am very active, I hike, and bike but have noticed difficulty running due to pain in the left knee, I also Ski, workout 4 times / week at a minimum. Any thoughts about the pain, I also noticed my toes on my right foot beginning to have the same pains. I am wondering if this is potentially circulatory, the onset of diabetes or is there something else I should speak to my primary care physician about.
What I have noticed is my toes on my left leg seem to ache, not stingingly or burning but more like they were stubbed hard. There are several things that could be a factor, my personal physician helped me begin the weight loss with a pperscription of Phentimine 37mg, which I when I take it certainly has positive effects on my body with digestion and stabilizing my appetitie. The second thing that I have was I had an accident 30 years ago where my left leg was cut through at the synovial joint and severed my thigh muscles completely, topped my knee cap, and essentially I cut through the femur past 50%. The Doctor who did the repair reminded me on my final exam post surgery that someday around the age of 50 I would begin to feel the effects of this injury and subsequent repair. I am very active, I hike, and bike but have noticed difficulty running due to pain in the left knee, I also Ski, workout 4 times / week at a minimum. Any thoughts about the pain, I also noticed my toes on my right foot beginning to have the same pains. I am wondering if this is potentially circulatory, the onset of diabetes or is there something else I should speak to my primary care physician about.
Brief Answer:
Hello and Welcome to HCM
Detailed Answer:
You seem to be thinking along the same track as myself.
I did not see any medications listed and am wondering if you are on Synthroid or levothyroxine to boost your T4? Has your iodine level been checked and are you getting enough selenium? Selenium is found in turkey, Brazil nuts and a few other foods. Iodine is mainly obtained from seafood and iodized salt.
Circulation could be an issue especially with your family history and injury.
Next, you were probably wondering about neuropathy in relation to the development of diabetes or injury to the nerves as a result of your accident. To check for diabetes, I would advise both a fasting blood glucose and a Hba1C.
A fasting blood sugar over 125 is diagnostic of diabetes. 6.5 or above Hba1C shows pre-diabetes.
Speaking of your heart, when was the last time you had your lipids checked? If it has been awhile, you may want to have a fasting lipid profile. If lipids are high that can adversely affect circulation.
And, since your surgeon warned you of potential future problems, what problems was he referring to and should you check with your surgeon regarding said side-effects? At least have your surgical records transferred to the doctor you are following up with.
Several drugs are out to help control nerve pain if that is the cause. I cannot really discuss solutions until we have narrowed down the reason for your discomfort. However, I have listed several possibilities and some of the tests to be run to identify these potential reasons for your pain.
Repairs of your kind do eventually lead to arthritic pain as well. So, it is possible you may have a combination of factors contributing to your discomfort.
I wish you the best of luck and if you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to get back with me. Sincerely, XXXXXXX Shattler, MS,RDN
Hello and Welcome to HCM
Detailed Answer:
You seem to be thinking along the same track as myself.
I did not see any medications listed and am wondering if you are on Synthroid or levothyroxine to boost your T4? Has your iodine level been checked and are you getting enough selenium? Selenium is found in turkey, Brazil nuts and a few other foods. Iodine is mainly obtained from seafood and iodized salt.
Circulation could be an issue especially with your family history and injury.
Next, you were probably wondering about neuropathy in relation to the development of diabetes or injury to the nerves as a result of your accident. To check for diabetes, I would advise both a fasting blood glucose and a Hba1C.
A fasting blood sugar over 125 is diagnostic of diabetes. 6.5 or above Hba1C shows pre-diabetes.
Speaking of your heart, when was the last time you had your lipids checked? If it has been awhile, you may want to have a fasting lipid profile. If lipids are high that can adversely affect circulation.
And, since your surgeon warned you of potential future problems, what problems was he referring to and should you check with your surgeon regarding said side-effects? At least have your surgical records transferred to the doctor you are following up with.
Several drugs are out to help control nerve pain if that is the cause. I cannot really discuss solutions until we have narrowed down the reason for your discomfort. However, I have listed several possibilities and some of the tests to be run to identify these potential reasons for your pain.
Repairs of your kind do eventually lead to arthritic pain as well. So, it is possible you may have a combination of factors contributing to your discomfort.
I wish you the best of luck and if you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to get back with me. Sincerely, XXXXXXX Shattler, MS,RDN
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Arnab Banerjee
Answered by
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