Hypothyroid and get pitting oedema.

[mcquia]

Hi all. I am hypothyroid but I get pitting oedema in ankles and feet. Ii am on levothyroxine 125mg. This was recently increased from 100mg. I have breathing difficulties but lung consultant thinks this is due to incteased weight and lack of exercise. I am to see cardiologist as suspected angina. But swelling is very painful and can hardly walk and very unsteady on feet. I take frusemide but is not sorting it out. Wondering if anyone suffers from pitting oedema as a side effect of hypothyroidism.

[Marz]

I think there is a connection with being Hypo - as every cell in your body will be sluggish - including the circulatory system/kidneys. I had the same problem pre-diagnosis. Now fine - just occasionally

Think it would be a good idea to obtain your latest results and post them here with ranges - for people to comment. I am suspecting your T3 will be low - especially as you mention breathing and heart. Labs resist testing where possible so I would suggest you have it done privately.

How are the basics - B12 - Feritin - Folate - Iron - VitD. All need to be high in their ranges for your body to work optimally and for you to feel well. All well and good increasing your T4 dose - but if it isn't converting into the ACTIVE T3 because the above things are low then it may well cause problems.

When we know your results people will have more helpful comments for you....

[mcquia in reply to Marz]

Ithank you for your teply. Don't know whether gp ever tested the other things you mention. Gp didn't give me the levels. I keep saying my symptoms could be the thyroid but doctors say not thyroid related but I am convinced it is thyroid or levo related. I am tired of it all. Feel worse now on meds than before.

[Marz in reply to mcquia]

You cannot wait for the GP to give the results - you have to ask for them and it is your right to have copies for your own records. You really do need the tests I have mentioned in order to better judge what is going on with your thyroid and your body generally.

When you are feeling stronger you will be able to deal with it all - once you start taking control of your own health it can have a very positive impact on your health and general wellbeing....

[Sam75]

Yes Im afraid I have your symptoms as well, it seems to be a vicious circle, if your too heavy exercise is difficult & painful, if only we could shed a couple of stone Im sure life would get easier......don't despair, keep trying x

[mcquia in reply to Sam75]

Thank you for your advice. Started a diet today but know it will be hard to shift the weight.

[mcquia]

Yes I agree. Is your oedema pitting?

[shaws Administrator]

Hi

You can ask your surgery for a print-out of your latest blood test results, with the ranges and post on a new question and it will give members a clearer picture.

You may not be on sufficient medication as before the blood tests were introduced you would have been diagnosed as having myxedema. It is caused by too little thyroid hormone regulation. Extract:

MYXOEDEMA

Myxoedema is the medical term for severe hypothyroidism.

Mucopolysaccharides – Gel-Like Substance.

Myx = mucin (gel-like) - Oedema = swelling.

The body makes mucopolysaccharides in normal quantities. When the thyroid is malfunctioning, they are mass-produced. Hence the bloated look that patients sometimes have. These mucopolysaccharides infiltrate into all the connective tissues and cause many problems i.e. joint pains and muscular pains.

Did you know that the thyroid becomes more effective in the summer? So if your symptoms come back a bit in the winter, you may need a slightly higher dosage of your hormone replacement.

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/testin...

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

Some good info in this link plus pictures at bottom of page.

[shaws Administrator]

Missed out link referred to above.

holisticprimarycare.net/top...

[mcquia in reply to shaws]

Thsnk you. I will take a look at those links.

[Nan123]

I have oedema, when badly swollen, it is pitted. I am on 100 levothyroxine, plus take Frusemide as well, yes it is a side effect of hypothyroidism.

[mcquia in reply to Nan123]

Thank you for your advice. I think it is the thyroid as I didn't have it before. There seems no end to the things hypothyroidism can do.

[Nan123]

You are so right....I am fed up with feeling tired all the time! As well!

[mcquia in reply to Nan123]

Yes it is hard. Never been so ill before. Thoight I would get better with the levo but after over a year and regular increase in levo I feel worse than ever and doctors don't seem to know much about it.

[Nan123]

Doctors are useless, I have Found out more on this site than from any Doctor! Hope you feel better soon.

[mcquia in reply to Nan123]

Thank you. It is a shock how little doctors know. I keep asking them to consider my oedema and other symptoms are thyroid related but keep being told that it is unlikely and yet it appears to be a common symptom, as is shortness of breath which I also have. So hard to get the right treatment when doctors don't seem to research thyroidism. Getting tired and demorilised by it all. Just want to feel well again. Sorry to moan so much but it is so frustrating. X

[Dad72]

I asked my Dr and he said the muscles in the legs were not contracting properly in order to push the fluid from the lower legs/feet! A little exercise with the legs may help.