Hi everyone,
As I am still on the quest to understand my swelling I started to look at polish publications (I grew up in Poland). I came across an interview with a endocrinologist in a national newspaper which was so brilliant in explaining what thyroid issues are, the weight gain part struck me in particular, see below.
“Weight gain comes mainly from water, not from fat. Symptoms of hypothyroidism can affect many organs and be different, but the cause is one: decreased metabolism. In various tissues, glycosaminoglycans accumulate in excess. These substances together with other ingredients of the skin prevent evaporation of water. When there are too many of them, swellings form in the body and the patients gain weight.
Characteristically, these swellings persist regardless of body position and time of day. If they have been formed on the ankles, lifting the legs up will not make them disappear. Patients with circulatory insufficiency often also have swelling, but they disappear, for example, after a good night's sleep.
Often, in the first place, the edema appears near the eyes, and that at the same time the muscles weaken, the face gets poured and dead in expression.
Glycosaminoglycans are deposited in various places. If under the skin - swelling occurs. If in the intestines - torments constipation, and when they are deposited in the pericardium, there may be heart failure. If there are too many of them in the central nervous system, the patient becomes drowsy, sleepy, devoid of reflexes, jokes, seems less clever, loses a spark, nay! suffers from depression.”
Myxedema- The forgotten Test for Hypothyroidism.
Thyroid dysfunction - Not just a women's issue
Can't get diagnosed - thyroid?
