Swollen feet and Graves Disease.

[Flory28]

Hello All, Does anyone know if swollen feet are connected to Graves Disease please? I had my goitre removed and now take Levothyroxine 100 mc daily. Its hard to get my shoes on sometimes, and a week ago my right foot was numb for a couple of days. When I wake up they are like this, and it will eventually subside. I also have MGUS which is a blood disorder but know that should not be a problem. Should I be concerned? Thanks.

[SmallBlueThing]

Increased capillary permeability due to low T3 may be the cause. As for concern, if the swelling spreads up to your legs there's more risk of breaks in the skin, leading to infections, which can be serious. A link between MGUS and lymphoedema would be worth researching. You may want to try sleeping with your feet on a pillow, or wearing compression socks.

[Flory28 in reply to SmallBlueThing]

Yes I will try the pillow and the socks. Thank you SmallBlueThing.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Do you have recent blood test results and ranges.

For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4 and FT3 and extremely important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12

Low vitamin levels are extremely common, especially if under medicated

All thyroid blood tests should ideally be done as early as possible in morning and fasting. Do not take Levothyroxine dose in the 24 hours prior to test, delay and take immediately after blood draw. This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip, best not mentioned to GP or phlebotomist)

Is this how you do your tests?

Perhaps you need a dose increase in Levothyroxine or, if FT3 is too low, look at testing and improving vitamins, before considering adding small dose of T3

TSH should be under 1.5 to be adequately treated on Levothyroxine. FT4 towards top of range and FT3 at least half way in range

Many people after RAI need addition of small dose of T3

As you had Graves' disease have you considered trying strictly gluten free diet?

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

chriskresser.com/the-gluten...

[Jumbelina]

I have swollen ankles-particularly the right ankle, Hashimoto's and MGUS. I take 137.5mg of levothyroxine daily, I have asked for T3 but been refused it. I stick to a gluten-free diet . I sleep with my feet slightly raised on a cushion but the right ankle is still swollen in the morning and feels bruised. I consulted a doctor who prescribed a diuretic. I obtained the diuretic and was loathe to use it as I don't wish to become dependent on that sort of drug. First I tried drinking 2 cups of dandelion tea every morning for a week. This made a slight improvement. For the last 2 days I have been using the diuretic- no change yet. Someone on here had swollen ankles and used horse chestnut extract successfully so I'm going to try that.

[Flory28 in reply to Jumbelina]

Thanks you Jumbelina. Gosh there is so much to learn, isn't there? My son is coeliac so there is a connection there. Again thanks.