Water re tension finger swelling

[Amandajl]

Hi I wonder if any one can some light on water retention last night my finders swelled up so much that I had to take my rings off and 1 of them has buckled under the pressure I only noticed it when I took the ring off. Am a bit worried about adema with all the low blood results I have can any one suggest any thing

[Hidden]

Hi there

Water retention is a symptom of HYPO so it might be you are undermedicated. But us thyroid folks also struggle with electrolytes - do you have copies of your sodium and potassium blood tests, where are you in the range? You might find having some unprocessed sea salt in water (say quarter of a teaspoon) and a good multi mineral with 99mg potassium in it, helps your water retention. Also you could try some coconut water or an electrolyte sachet and see if that helps.

I get this, and it's a complete pain but has improved a lot since my levels have come up.

Rebecca

x

[Amandajl in reply to Hidden]

Hi Rebecca, my surgery has been a bit naughty and not given me the ranges just the test results, my sodium is =140mmol/L and potassium is =4.9 mol/L

[jacqui1957 in reply to Hidden]

well I have had water retention since 1986 and my legs and body is full of it I take water tablets and iv not noticed any difference yet I also have swelling in my fingers and my ankles you cat see them try taking some water tablets see the difference it might make good luck

[Hidden]

Hi there

Typical sodium ranges are 135 - 145 so you are OK ish, you could try experimenting with unprocessed sea salt in water, say quarter of a teaspoon once a day - I use light gray celtic salt in water and liberally on food. Typical potassium is 3.5 - 5 so you are OK there, maybe a try a good multimineral once a day - Biocare is good, as is Blue Bonnet chelated minerals. Plenty of plain clean water, and you could try lemon juice in water. Your adrenals need salt and electrolytes are essential to fluid balance in your body. However, getting euthyroid will probably do the most to help you. I have a ring on my finger that's been stuck for over a year. I still can't get it off although I no longer have sausage fingers.

Best wishes

Rebecca

xx

[shaws Administrator]

Have you had a recent thyroid gland blood test as it would seem to me you are undermedicated.

[Amandajl in reply to shaws]

Hi shaws, the only thyroid tests I've had done are free

T4 level =14.1pmol/L

TSH level =3.01mIU/L

Amanda x

[shaws Administrator in reply to Amandajl]

If you are on thyroid gland medication, you are not on enough, thus the swelling. Dr Toft of the British Thyroid Association reckons a TSH should be

:-

6 What is the correct dose of thyroxine and is there any rationale for adding in tri-iodothyronine?

The appropriate dose of levothyroxine is that which restores euthyroidism and serum TSH to the lower part of the reference range – 0.2-0.5mU/l.

In this case, free thyroxine is likely to be in the upper part of its reference range or even slightly elevated – 18-22pmol/l. Most patients will feel well in that circumstance.

****

Please email [e-mail] for a copy of the Pulse Online article by Dr Toft. Give a copy to your GP before your next appointment so he can increase your dose. Swelling is not good. Thyroiduk.org's internet connection may be down so it may take a couple of days for louise to send you the article. It also goes on to say some may need an increase in T3, so I would ask for an addition of some T3.

web.archive.org/web/2010103...

[smith8577]

Low Sodium causes Water Retention, I Would Drink alot of water but was staying away from salt thinking I would lose weight instead I gained so much water weight. I now drink sea salt in my water. Drink you some Salt in a cup of water. See if it doesn't go down. Even if your Sodium is in Range. 1/2 tsp of Salt. If its Low Sodium you will start urinating alot to get rid of it. This is the only thing I can think of.. Keep us posted on updates. Can you Post Reference Ranges of Your Thyroid Test Please.

[puncturedbicycle]

I was terribly swollen on t4 alone, even with tsh under 1, t3 and t4 in the upper part of range etc. I didn't get rid of it until I added t3. About 10mcg was enough to make a huge improvement.

[Amandajl in reply to puncturedbicycle]

Hi punturedbicycle ive been on thyroxin for nerly 3 years now am on 75mg daily am not taking t3 at all do I need to see some one to get that or do I buy it myself ? Xx

[puncturedbicycle in reply to Amandajl]

Hiya.

I just read your reply with tft results. Without ranges I'm guessing but it looks like you're not on enough t4. If I were you I'd work on getting your bloods right - t3 and t4 in the upper part of range, tsh v low (under 1 if possible) and see if there is an improvement. Not that everyone feels great with tsh under one but with tsh at 3 you should be given the opportunity to see if a higher dose of t4 suits. These results indicate that there is a lot of room for improvement.

Are you unwell in other respects? It seems like your gp could do better for your thyroid. If that doesn't help you, t3 might be worth a try. Like many prescription meds it is available on the web but ideally dosing should be supervised, and if in the end you choose to self-treat there is a lot to learn. xx

[Amandajl in reply to puncturedbicycle]

Hi puncturedbicycle, my GP does not help not help at all he says my bloods are in the range and my Vitamin is to be expected this time of year. I had a Vitamin D injection at the end of October which is meant to last 6 months but despite that my Vitamin D is only 41 ? I feel vey unwell am always tired stiff joints and muscles, head aches and bad memory they are just a feature I can think off xx

[puncturedbicycle in reply to Amandajl]

Yes, sadly he needs convincing. Or replacing.

The article shaws mentioned may help. Ideally you should be on enough t4 to see if it works for you. It is so much easier than going down the road of different meds.

Alternatively you can try raising your dose yourself and if you feel better you could tell gp what you've done.

He may think that 'within range' is good enough but Dr Toft's article may convince him that he should be giving you a higher dose.

Are you supplementing with d? It should be up near 100. xx

[Amandajl in reply to puncturedbicycle]

Hi I has a vitamin D injection at the end of October 4 months ago and it is meant to give me 6 months cover but it's not brought me up at all Iii was 39 now am 41 not much of an improvement x

[puncturedbicycle in reply to Amandajl]

I'm surprised they gave you an injection if your results were 39. How long after the injection was the next test? If it is not improving your levels your gp should be doing something about it (I'm not familiar with the injections so I don't know if they would give you a bigger dose or more frequent injections) or you need to start supplementing. There is some good info here: imperialendo.com/for-doctor...