Swollen fingers - anyone else?.....I cant wear my wedding ring anymore and I dont think it is just weight gain but something else?

[Anuba]

I cant wear my wedding ring anymore and I dont think it is just weight gain but something else? I had to get it extended. Up two ring sizes. Has this happened to anyone else with hypothyroidism and is it a symtom?

[anbuma]

my fingers started to swell so taht i ahd to have my ring cut off.that was years ago and it was put down to arthritis-i didnt have thyroid symptoms then.not much help sorry

[Hidden]

Hi yes I have problems with swelling.Mine is fluid retention I gone uo 7 ring sizes! I have hyperthyroidism not hypothyroidism. Have you changed any medication recently as some meds can cause this to happen?

[dgleds]

yes I have that...might be water retention...im hypothyroid

[stephensmith]

I have had to take off both of my rings since being diagnosed hypo. I am hoping that when on optimum treatment I can then wear my rings again

[Poppygayle]

Hi yes suffer from swollen hands and fingers the hands cramp and are quite painful I dread shaking hands with people or knocking them I haven't worn my rings for years I have them around my neck on a chain ,no reason has been found for the swelling yet .I am hypo .x

[JanePound]

My doctor once said that it was a sign you were not on the optimum medication. Once.he sorted that out my fingers returned to normal

[twinks]

I haven't worn mine for years because of swelling. Sometimes they go down but can't risk putting rings on.

I've an adjustable silver ring which I can alter

[shaws Administrator]

A few years before I was diagnosed I couldn't wear my ring but couldn't understand why. I didn't have it enlarged but I was able to wear it again once I switched from levo. My shoe size also dropped by 1. So I had shoes I couldn't wear.

[eeng in reply to shaws]

I can relate to that. I stopped wearing my rings about a year before I was diagnosed. Maybe one day the doctors will let me take enough meds to sort it out but I'm not holding my breath!

[shaws Administrator in reply to eeng]

Post your thyroid gland blood test results with the ranges for members to comment on them. They must have the ranges. Just ask the surgery for a copy of the latest one.

[Corsa in reply to shaws]

I asked for my results from my latest blood tests. The receptionist said I have to get permission of the doctor to have a copy. Is this right. Or just at my practise.

[Anuba in reply to Corsa]

I just leave a letter at the doctors requesting a copy of what blood tests I need...and sign it and then the doc should do it and leave the copy with receptionist for you to collect. Or you can ask doc at next appointment. Some receptionists are funny and wont do it without doc saying I think cos they worried they do wrong thing or give wrong info out i dunno. Just leave a letter with receptionist or go in and ask your doc for your own personal records you are allowed them and shouldnt have to explain why - i just say for my own personal records.

[Corsa in reply to Anuba]

Thank you for the advice I never thought of doing that. I'm hoping I don't have to see the doctor abt thyroid problems again hope it's just the endo. He's not the best gp in the world.

[Anthea55]

Years ago I had problems with my hands (before thyroid problems identified). I then had problems with other joints and thought I would check for food intolerances, rather than go onto medication for arthritis. Result for me - main intolerances oats and wheat. This sorted out the swollen joints and also after a few months I realised that I hadn't had indigestion for ages, having had it all my life - bonus!

If I have oats (a friend's flapjack) my hands are hot and throbbing within 3 or 4 hours. I can manage wheat occasionally, but if I have even a small amount every day I start to notice my hands hot and swelling.

So - might be worth you checking for food intolerances.

[puncturedbicycle in reply to Anthea55]

Wheat in particular is known to antagonise inflammatory issues. My friend has RA and did an elimination diet and found that she has the same problem you have - wheat gives her a huge flareup but she can eat spelt apparently.

[Marylyn]

Yes I put on 4 stone,had to get my wedding ring enlarged,became really tired,breathless.Was started on thyroxine even though Tsh 0.1 & nuclear scan showed hyperthyroidism.

[puncturedbicycle in reply to Marylyn]

Oh no - how did that work out? That does sound like me before I started on t4 - exhausted, swollen, breathless - but my bloods showed very hypo.

Why did they put you on t4 if your tests showed hyper?

[Marylyn in reply to Marylyn]

I read in specialist referral letter I had symptoms of hypo.I then took it for 15yrs as my levels were always in normal range.then 12 mths ago I crashed.finally after stopping thyroxine,being diagnosed with b12 deficiency ,with continual night episodes of vibrations,nausea,headaches,tinninitus.Since Oct.painful & numbing feet.

[puncturedbicycle]

I was very swollen on t4 alone, even at what was meant to be an 'optimum' dose (150mcg) when all my bloods looked ideal. It wasn't until I added about 10mcg of t3 per day (t4 then reduced to 125) that the swelling went.

[TSH110 in reply to puncturedbicycle]

I really must try and get some T3 and see if it helps me puncturedbicycle that is a great screen name I am a cycling nut...

[puncturedbicycle in reply to TSH110]

[damehypo]

Been on meds three plus years and still have all the swelling. Doc insistent not to do with the hypothyroid. I cut out all processed food and gluten in the main, also cut out fruit (sugars) still have the swelling although I find if I juice green veggies and drink loads of water and replace two meals daily and have an eve meal the swelling lessens in feet, ankles legs and hands. I only very occasionally take pain meds as this causes flares and swellings (co-codamol effervescent etc) salt content most likely agent. BTW I changed to Himalayan pink salt and use only a little because we need salt. I am back on T4 only crap doc refuses to give me anything else. I cannot afford amour and similar.

[TSH110 in reply to damehypo]

Your doctor is wrong!

[damehypo in reply to TSH110]

I KNOW but they will not listen. On doc 5 at the practice now!

[TSH110 in reply to damehypo]

That's awful damehypo what arrogance!

[puncturedbicycle in reply to damehypo]

Seconded (what TSH110 said)!

damehypo, just fyi my t3 is about £40 for almost a year's worth. I just wanted to tell you that as I know some meds cost completely crazy money. PM me if you like.

[damehypo in reply to puncturedbicycle]

Have pm'd you. Thanks so much.

[Piedo]

Hi I have problems putting on my engagement ring on first thing in the morning I can usually squeeze it on ,by the afternoon my fingers are slimmerDuring the hot weather I couldn't t get my ring on at all for about 4 weeks.I haven t put on weight since having my TT but I do follow the 5:2diet.

Piedo

[Stourie in reply to Piedo]

I haven't been able to wear rings on ring finger since before I was diagnosed. Now I wear my middle finger rings on my ring finger and it is still tight..... I hate my chubby fingers. I have even gone up a shoe size.

Jo xx

[TSH110 in reply to Stourie]

My solution too Jo to my blubbery hands all rings shunted to smaller fingers - and some from right to left hand - I managed to rehome them all

[happychick]

Hi i had the same problem found out i had carpol tunnel which hypo caused since op happy days fingers now normal size ,i was told even after meds right dose wouldn't recover so op only option ,good luck op ok took 6wks off work but took two months to get really better.

[Anuba]

Thanks for all the feedback on this....and tips etc.....I think it is possible it will calm down when I reach my optimum and right treatment as still experimenting to get it right just now. Fanks all x

[Anuba]

I just leave a letter at the doctors requesting a copy of what blood tests I need...and sign it and then the doc should do it and leave the copy with receptionist for you to collect. Or you can ask doc at next appointment. Some receptionists are funny and wont do it without doc saying I think cos they worried they do wrong thing or give wrong info out i dunno. Just leave a letter with receptionist or go in and ask your doc for your own personal records you are allowed them and shouldnt have to explain why - i just say for my own personal records.