Hi does anyone else suffer with fluid retention? I seem to be suffering with very swollen puffy ankles and fingers. I have tried taking natural tabs ti relieve this but to no avail. The throbbing in my legs has become very uncomfortable and I have had to remove all my rings. This happens to me at all times of the day. I have tried walking, resting etc and no matter what I do it re appears. Could this be a side effect of hypothyroidism / meds or is it a red herring? Currently taking 100 mcg of levo one day 75mcg the next. As you can see my ankle is seriously holding fluid thre must be a reason for this?
Any help would be greatly appreciated x
Written by
lt1806
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
I’m taking furosemide 20mg for Edema (swelling) of upper eyelids and that’s working for me. I did try a natural dandelion diuretic & juicing celery but neither alleviated the symptoms. Perhaps a natural diuretic would work for you....if not, speak with your GP for a prescription option.
Hope the swelling reduces soon!
Yes me too x. Ive been taking water tabs from GP same as buddy mentioned but still swelling up x
I have read your earlier posts and threads - please read them again as I feel the answers lie within. You appear under-medicated so yes swollen ankles can be linked to your hypo state.
Before diagnosis I struggled with ankle swelling on flights - sitting too long over meals out - now a thing of the past.
Iced bandages overnight was one of my aids when in the heat on holiday.
Did you have all the tests suggested ? Have you increased your dose ? Do you know your T3 level ? Am guessing your T3 is low and causing symptoms ...
Thanks Marz, I will go back through previous posts. My gp is very reluctant to up dosage as feels my latest tsh level was close to where I need to be. Tsh levels are all he is interested in! I think I will get a full blood done with blue horizon and go see him again.
Do start a new post when you have your results so members can suggest and support. Great idea to do Private Testing - money well spent to get to the bottom of things. Medichecks have Special Offers on Thursdays. 😊
For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4 and FT3 plus both TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested. Also extremely important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12
Low vitamin levels are extremely common, especially if Thyroid antibodies are raised
Recommended on here that all thyroid blood tests should ideally be done as early as possible in morning and fasting. This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip, best not mentioned to GP or phlebotomist)
Last Levothyroxine dose should be 24 hours prior to test, (taking delayed dose immediately after blood draw).
Private tests are available. Thousands on here forced to do this as NHS often refuses to test FT3 or antibodies or all vitamins
Medichecks Thyroid plus ultra vitamin or Blue Horizon Thyroid plus eleven are the most popular choice. DIY finger prick test or option to pay extra for private blood draw. Both companies often have special offers, Medichecks usually have offers on Thursdays, Blue Horizon its more random
Guidelines on dose of Levothyroxine is 1.6mcg per kilo of your weight
So convert your weight into kilo and multiply by 1.6 to give an indication of likely dose required
Yes, I have very severe fluid retention, top to toe.
The severity does vary over time. Last autumn I had four months of blessed relief (very rare to be almost absent like this) and was the slimmest I'd been in 15 years. Since April this year, it's the worst it's ever been - to the extent that very few of my clothes now fit.
Raising my T3 level helped a few years ago, but I don't think hypothyroidism is the only factor here. I've looked into everything I can find through reading up on the problem, but few answers so far. I've tried several diuretics, but my best option, indapamide, is not working well for some reason.
Thank you for your response, I am going to get further bloods done something is just not right although I do feel better than before starting levo so just need to get the cocktail right hehe !
I take 3 diuretics a day so that I no longer look 9 months pregnant. I can finally dispense with the medical support socks. I have an under active thyroid but think part of the problem is Atrial Fibrillation.
I take Taurine 1000 mg, Astyle L Caratine, magnesium, B complex, for atrial Fibrillation prevention , look them up. Also Ashwagandha for anxiety might help but also look it up to see if it is right for you.
Are you breathless? Have you had your heart checked? It does sound as if you may still be undermedicated. Do you have any recent blood test results? Natural remedies may help up to a point but it sounds as if you need checking out urgently
I recently developed slightly swollen ankles on exercise and by the end of the day, together with almost constant need to take extra deep breaths for any exertion. But at least it got the doctor's attention and hopefully it will get sorted!
My heart was tested and ok so far but have to see an endo because my TSH goes "Too low" if I take enough thyroxine to feel well.
Thank you I am going to get further bloods done and see gp. I can get breathless just sitting still let alone during exertion so will get checked out x
I was tested for lymphoedema and lipoedema and found clear on both. I still suffer from weight level fluctuations-sometimes daily and hurt from a light touch of a masseur or osteopath. I also frequently have swollen fingers which I cannot attribute to any particular food. What I have found helps considerably is aquarobics. At the moment I am lucky as I am overseas and can have sessions in open air pools nearby. These sessions or even just walking backward and forward for about half an hour or more help . The remaining problem is that I am often too tired to take my own advice.
Its exhausting full stop my head hurts from thinking hehe! I will get checked out but it is somewhat reassuring that others with hypo also suffer too! Xx
Yeap! Ankles were so huge and when pressed looked like Play-dough!
It is the prednisone that I have been on for 7 months to combat a flare that just will NOT go away that was doing it to me!
My GP had to actually call my RA dr to start a reduction in prednisone immediately!!
My GP had to put me on Lasix!
I have so much prednisone in me that I now also have Cushing Goid!
Reason for all this prednisone: supposedly waiting for the RIGHT RA medication to work. Currently started Acterma (after trying soooooo many others) and STILL Waiting!
Yes, I suffer with fluid retention in my legs and when it really gets bad my face starts to get puffy and my joints start to scream. I have no thyroid and did not have this water issue prior to thyroidectomy.
What are your potassium levels like? Sodium and potassium levels have to be in balance for fluid to move in and out of cells. People who take diuretics need to look at their potassium it can get too low. Most people are low in magnesium might like to look at that also plus raw veg juicing may help celery carrot beetroot.
Maybe it is your heart problem. My father in law had his leg swelling, in the end the doctor had to treat his heart, putting a pace maker for him, since then he is a lot better.
Be careful. That could be a cardiac health problem sign. Good luck!
My cousin developed these symptoms and it may be a sign of congestive heart failure. Please get it checked ASAP. I don’t want to scare you but this level of swelling needs medical attention. Wishing you all the best and hope you feel better soon.
Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.
Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.
Histamine intolerance/sensitivity with Hashi's and thyroid plus fluid retention.
Does anyone else have a fluid retention problem? 
Unsteady T3 levels cause fluid retention and muscle aches? 
Swollen feet, ankles, painful joints, generalised fluid 
