Swollen ankles

[Tulips51]

Hi for the last year i have had swollen ankles and also painfull, been to gp done blood test on heart/liver/kidney.all came back normal, i currently take 75mg lethothyroxine and 20mcg of liothyronine my bloods all came back normal but not had chance to chat with gp about my results because we are in america for 3 weeks, not back till 16th may. Anyone on here have any remedies or ideas as to what can help, im resting them when i can but nothing is really helping so would be really glad of any help/ideas it would be much appreciated thankyou tulips. 😊

[Naomi8]

I suffer from swollen ankles & painful feet when my dose isn't high enough or am on thyroxine.Not a problem for me on T3-only & NDT.Itchy skin & dry scalp much improved,too.

When at home,I ALWAYS have my feet up on a footstool & have done from my 20s(now in 60s)

Wonder if you will get any feedback from anyone who has bought one of those circulation boosters that you put your feet on.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Suggest you get full Thyroid and vitamin tests when you return

Your B12 was low in a recent previous post

You need to test vitamin D, folate, B12 and ferritin

Do you have Hashimoto's? (High Thyroid antibodies) if so are you on strictly gluten free diet?

[Tulips51 in reply to SlowDragon]

When i spoke to gp about my B12 he said will keep an eye even tho its going down all the time, when i get back from holiday i will go back Again.i dont know about hashi but will look up.

Thankyou 😊

[shaws Administrator in reply to Tulips51]

Do you have a print-out of your latest B12 blood test and post with the ranges. Doctors seem to be unaware that both B12 and D are pro-hormones with very essential work and they have to be at an optimum, as do the other vitamins/minerals.

[Tulips51 in reply to shaws]

Hi no i dont as i got results over phone by receptionist the day i left but will get them as soon as i get home. Thankyou.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Tulips51]

About 90% of all primary hypothyroidism in Uk is due to Hashimoto's

Essential to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12. Always get actual results and ranges. Post results when you have them, members can advise

Hashimoto's affects the gut and leads to low stomach acid and then low vitamin levels

Low vitamin levels affect Thyroid hormone working

Poor gut function can lead leaky gut (literally holes in gut wall) this can cause food intolerances. Most common by far is gluten. Dairy is second most common.

According to Izabella Wentz the Thyroid Pharmacist approx 5% with Hashimoto's are coeliac, but over 80% find gluten free diet helps significantly. Either due to direct gluten intolerance (no test available) or due to leaky gut and gluten causing molecular mimicry (see Amy Myers link)

Changing to a strictly gluten free diet may help reduce symptoms, help gut heal and slowly lower TPO antibodies

Ideally ask GP for coeliac blood test first

amymyersmd.com/2017/02/3-im...

chriskresser.com/the-gluten...

thyroidpharmacist.com/artic...

scdlifestyle.com/2014/08/th...

drknews.com/changing-your-d...

thyroidpharmacist.com/artic...

Don't be surprised that GP may be completely unaware of connection between thyroid, low vitamins and gut and gluten intolerance

Low vitamins affect the way thyroid hormones work, they need to be optimal

[Tulips51 in reply to SlowDragon]

Thankyou very much will speak to gp when get home. 😊

[Ruth63]

I suffer with Achilles tendon problems and swelling in ankles, when I spoke to my consultant about it, I was told can be quite common problem with hypothyroidism, I keep my legs raised when sitting/lying down and ice packs as often as you can stand, it helps with the swelling, also some simple stretching exercises really helps. Hope this helps. 😊

[Tulips51 in reply to Ruth63]

Thankyou, i do try to elevate as much as poss. 😊

[Hidden in reply to Tulips51]

I too have swollen and painful ankles but suffer from Afib as well as an under active thyroid. I have a Doppler test twice a year and have NHS support socks and I take the diuretic Frusemide. The support socks do the job but make you look as if you have artificial legs so prefer to wear flight socks or some very snazzy support socks that come from America

Di

[Hidden]

I have recently been reading a book by Dr Lam called the "Anatomy of Adrenal Fatigue Syndrome" which gave swollen ankles as one of the symptoms. Obviously I cannot post a section of it but found this random link which you may find interesting:-

holtorfmed.com/treating-adr...

I am not suggesting you follow any of the treatment protocols but it may be something you might want to keep in mind if you do not find a solution elsewhere.

[Tulips51 in reply to Hidden]

Thankyou very much.😊

[shaws Administrator]

Can you post your 'normal' blood test results. We need the actual number to respond. In the meantime, this is an extract from another website with a similar question/answers. "Normal" we don't want in blood tests, but optimal as normal usually means somewhere in the range:-

Thyroid problem2 Says:

Mon, May 16 '11, 5:30 AM

I am on medication for hypothyrodism and have had the swelling before and heart palpitations--so they thought it was my heart because your thyroid doesn't cause the leg swelling--my legs were so swollen during the day I could hardly walk. Had my heart checked out-everything fine-went & had blood work done to check thyroid & my thyroid levels were up-so they changed the dose and it worked. Have had it happen again since then & everytime it has been because my thyroid levels were up & medication need to be changed. It takes a long time to get the right doseage. So you need to contact your Dr. and get your thyroid levels checked again. Also I did find on the internet where one of the symptoms of hypothyrodism is leg swelling.

medschat.com/Discuss/Swelli...

[Tulips51 in reply to shaws]

Gp as soon as get back from holiday.

Thankyou.😊

[Edelwisse]

Bonjour Tulips 51,

chaque personnes réagit de manière différente, une réaction est si je suis 5 mcg. de liothyronine, mes chevilles deviennent enflées et douloureuses.

Si j'arrête de le prendre, mes chevilles redeviennent normal après trois jours.

À cause de ce problème j'ai arrêté Ndt et liothyronine, je suis maintenant avec Synthroid ( t4 )seulement.

[Clarrisa]

I'd recommend going into a drug store & purchasing a pair of support hose or socks ("TED hose" or whatever) for at least the long flight back home. If you have been eating out a lot & have noticed more swelling then you will know salt intake is playing a part too ...

[Tulips51 in reply to Clarrisa]

Hi yes i have got them for flight out and back thankyou. 😊