Which Values Are Checked In Check-Up For Numbness In Hands And Feet?

Numbness in the hands and feet is a common complaint that may appear as tingling, pins and needles, burning or decreased sensation. Sometimes it may develop due to simple reasons such as staying in the same position for a long time, while in some cases it may be a sign of vitamin deficiency, blood sugar irregularity, thyroid diseases, circulatory problems or conditions related to the nervous system.

If numbness recurs frequently, lasts long, increases at night or is seen together with weakness, balance problems, muscle cramps, dizziness, or vision-speech disorders, it should definitely be evaluated. The check-up process helps examine metabolic, hormonal, vitamin-mineral and circulation-related conditions that may cause numbness in the hands and feet more systematically.

What Causes Numbness In Hands And Feet?

Numbness in the hands and feet may develop for different reasons. Nerve compression, prolonged pressure, posture disorder or repetitive movements may cause temporary numbness. However, if numbness is frequent or occurs without an obvious reason, underlying health conditions should be investigated.

Vitamin B12 deficiency, diabetes, insulin resistance, thyroid disorders, electrolyte imbalances, anemia, circulatory problems and some neurological conditions may cause numbness in the hands and feet. Therefore, it is necessary to look not only at the area where the complaint occurs, but also at the general health picture.

Basic Values That Can Be Checked In Check-Up For Hand And Foot Numbness

The tests to be requested in numbness complaints in the hands and feet vary according to the person’s age, duration of complaint, accompanying symptoms, existing diseases and medications used. The same test panel may not be necessary for every person.

Vitamin B12

Vitamin B12 is an important vitamin for the nervous system and blood cells. In deficiency, numbness, tingling, burning sensation in the hands and feet, fatigue, forgetfulness and balance problems may occur.

• B12 Level: Evaluated in terms of nervous system functions.
• Numbness And Tingling: Among the symptoms that may frequently occur in deficiency.
• Relationship With Blood Cells: B12 deficiency may be seen together with anemia.
• Eating Habits: Should be evaluated more carefully in people with low animal food consumption.

Folate

Folate is an important vitamin for blood formation and nervous system health. Folate deficiency may be seen together with fatigue, anemia, mouth sores and some neurological complaints.

• Folate Level: Evaluated in terms of blood formation and cellular functions.
• Relationship With Anemia: It may need to be interpreted together with B12.
• Nutritional Status: It may decrease in insufficient and unbalanced nutrition.
• Pregnancy Planning: It is also important in pre-pregnancy evaluation in women.

Vitamin D

Vitamin D is not directly the most common cause of numbness, but it affects muscle functions, bone health, immunity and general energy level. In deficiency, muscle pain, fatigue, tiredness and widespread body aches may occur.

• 25-OH Vitamin D: Shows the vitamin D level in the body.
• Muscle Functions: Can be evaluated together with muscle weakness and pain.
• General Energy: Becomes important in fatigue and weakness complaints.
• Supportive Value: In numbness complaints, it is interpreted not alone but together with the general picture.

Fasting Blood Sugar And HbA1c

High blood sugar, especially when uncontrolled for a long time, may affect nerve endings. This may present as numbness, burning, tingling or decreased sensation in the hands and feet.

• Fasting Blood Sugar: Provides information about the current blood sugar level.
• HbA1c: Shows the average blood sugar level over the last few months.
• Diabetes Risk: Evaluated together with family history, weight gain and waist circumference.
• Nerve Involvement: Long-term high blood sugar may be associated with numbness complaints.

Fasting Insulin And HOMA-IR

Insulin resistance is associated with blood sugar imbalance and metabolic risks. In some people, it may be seen together with post-meal sleepiness, sweet cravings, weight gain and low energy.

• Fasting Insulin: Provides information about insulin response.
• HOMA-IR: A supportive calculation for insulin resistance.
• Metabolic Risk: Interpreted together with blood sugar and weight status.
• Lifestyle Plan: May guide nutrition and movement routine.

TSH And Free T4

Underactive or overactive thyroid gland may affect the nervous system, muscle structure, metabolism and general energy. Thyroid disorders may be seen together with symptoms such as numbness, muscle cramps, fatigue, weight change, feeling cold or palpitations in some people.

• TSH: The basic evaluation test for thyroid functions.
• Free T4: Provides information about thyroid hormone production.
• Metabolic Effect: Interpreted together with weight change, fatigue and feeling cold.
• Nerve And Muscle Findings: May be supportive if numbness, cramps or weakness are present.

Complete Blood Count

Complete blood count provides information about anemia, infection, immune response and blood cells. Anemia or some vitamin deficiencies may be seen together with numbness in the hands and feet, fatigue and getting tired quickly.

• Hemoglobin: Used in anemia evaluation.
• Hematocrit: Provides supportive information about the oxygen-carrying capacity of blood.
• Leukocyte: May provide an idea in terms of infection or inflammation.
• Platelet: Provides information about blood cells and general health status.

Ferritin And Iron Values

Iron deficiency is more associated with fatigue, paleness, palpitations and tiredness; however, in some people it may be seen together with restlessness, discomfort in the legs and general weakness.

• Ferritin: Shows iron stores in the body.
• Serum Iron: Provides information about the level of iron circulating in the blood.
• Iron Binding Capacity: Helps evaluate iron metabolism in more detail.
• General Fatigue: Becomes important in tiredness accompanying numbness.

Electrolytes

Electrolytes such as sodium, potassium, calcium and magnesium are important for muscle and nervous system functions. In imbalance, muscle cramps, numbness, trembling, palpitations or fatigue may occur.

• Sodium: Important for fluid balance and nerve conduction.
• Potassium: Necessary for muscle and heart functions.
• Calcium: Related to muscle contraction and nerve conduction.
• Magnesium: Evaluated in terms of muscle cramps, nervous system and energy metabolism.

Liver And Kidney Function Tests

The liver and kidneys are important organs that maintain the body’s metabolic balance. Disorders in these systems may be seen together with fatigue, fluid-mineral imbalance and general health problems.

• ALT And AST: Help evaluate liver functions.
• GGT: May provide information about liver and biliary tract.
• Urea And Creatinine: Provide information about kidney functions.
• General Metabolic Status: Should be interpreted together with other values.

Lipid Profile

Cholesterol and triglyceride values are important for circulatory health. If coldness in the hands and feet, color change, pain while walking or suspicion of circulatory disorder is present, lipid profile may be included in the general risk evaluation.

• Total Cholesterol: Shows general cholesterol level.
• LDL Cholesterol: Evaluated in terms of vascular health.
• HDL Cholesterol: Provides information about protective cholesterol level.
• Triglyceride: Related to metabolic risk and nutrition routine.

Is Circulation Evaluation Necessary In Numbness Complaints?

Numbness in the hands and feet may sometimes be related to the nervous system and sometimes to the circulatory system. Circulation evaluation may be required especially if numbness is accompanied by coldness, bruising, paleness, leg pain while walking or pulse changes.

In this case, check-up may not be limited to blood values. The physician may evaluate vascular health, blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes risk and, if necessary, imaging methods according to the person’s symptoms.

When Should Hand And Foot Numbness Be Taken Seriously?

If numbness starts on one side, develops suddenly or is seen together with speech disorder, facial drooping, arm-leg weakness, severe dizziness or change in consciousness, emergency evaluation is required. Such symptoms should not be delayed.

In addition, if numbness continues for weeks, gradually increases, wakes the person from sleep at night, causes walking and balance problems or affects hand skills, specialist evaluation should be performed. Early evaluation helps detect the underlying cause more accurately.

Which Specialist Should Be Consulted For Hand And Foot Numbness?

The first evaluation in numbness complaints in the hands and feet can be performed by internal medicine, family physician or neurology. If high blood sugar, thyroid findings, vitamin deficiency or metabolic problems accompany the complaint, internal medicine and endocrinology evaluation may become important.

If there is nerve compression, weakness, balance problem, reflex change or neurological symptom, neurology evaluation may be required. If there are signs of circulatory disorder, referral to cardiovascular or related specialties may be made.

Plan Your Check-Up Process With Happ Health

If numbness in the hands and feet recurs frequently, lasts long or is seen together with fatigue, muscle cramps, blood sugar fluctuations, thyroid symptoms or circulation problems, a general health evaluation may be useful.

Happ Health, as a digital health platform, offers a solution that makes access to check-up packages easier. You can plan a check-up process suitable for your needs to evaluate whether vitamin deficiency, blood sugar irregularity, thyroid problem, electrolyte imbalance or a metabolic cause underlies hand and foot numbness.