Fluid retention - how long did it take for it t... - Thyroid UK

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Fluid retention - how long did it take for it to go?

18 Replies

Hey all,

One of symptoms, that bothers me quite a bit, is the retention of fluid all over my body. My face seems a bit better the last month, but anywhere else I feel stiffness, numbness or pins needles, fluid buildup, to the point, that it hurts when I squat to hang the laundry 🙃

I'm curious of your experiences!

My doc says I look better, that I'm on the right track, my results look decent so maybe I need time? I've read some people lost their fluid straightaway, for me, it's been only maybe a month on these results or less(previous posts, but ft4 mid-range, ft3 top-range).

I am generally quite impatient 😀

Thank you 🙏

R

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18 Replies
Lora7again profile image
Lora7again

I think it might take a few months. When I was virtually bedridden I could not get my shoes on because my feet were swollen. Also some of my rings felt tight and are now loose. It has been about 8 months since I started to feel better and I can now wear my heels again. I'm afraid I am a shoe fan and have a lot of pairs ... don't ask me how many because even my husband doesn't know and he would be horrified. Men don't get it when it comes to shoes and handbags lol

in reply to Lora7again

Thank you Lora, this puts me at ease, it seems it's to early, I mean, I have been collecting fluid since May gradually so that makes sense that it will maybe even take the same amount of time to lose it :)

Oh so glad to hear!!! Haha good woman, enjoy and wear them all, I love my heels too, I actually managed to wear a pair of boots on a heel at the weekend, I was not able to put them in months ago! So I think they are some little improvement not visible to the eye :)

Lalatoot profile image
Lalatoot

Ritatita I think the problem is that we tend to focus on the symptoms that we still have rather than realising how much better we have become and how many symptoms have already gone.

Listen to your boots! You got them on and that is a step in the right direction.

in reply to Lalatoot

True, I should listen to them :) thank you :) heading in the right direction, that's true! If someone could give me a med for patience lol 🤣

Buddy195 profile image
Buddy195Administrator in reply to

I was prescribed a diuretic furosemide to help alleviate eye swelling. It also worked with other areas. I did try natural versions- dandelion & celery juice- but it wasn’t as effective. However, Seaside Susie noted that electrolytes can be affected, so if swelling is bad & I take furosemide, I eat a banana to help redress the balance!

in reply to Buddy195

Hey buddy! I have tried furosemide briefly, but had no luck really :( same with dandelion. I didn't have any swelling last year on a similar dose, so hopefully this will just take time, thank you buddy x

in reply to Lalatoot

Lalatoot I was thinking of what you said, and another great improvement is not having sore breasts before period! :) My hair is curly again and thick!

Lalatoot profile image
Lalatoot in reply to

Go girl go!

in reply to Lalatoot

Upwards and onwards :)

Lalatoot profile image
Lalatoot in reply to

Yes. The sun is shining in North Scotland today and I have managed a trip to the shops to browse and felt fine!!

in reply to Lalatoot

Oh amazing, you're on fire 🔥 did you enjoy it? same here, going to go for a walk. Just noticed my eye lashes are better too :)

Lalatoot profile image
Lalatoot in reply to

Loved it - still buzzing from doing something normal. Enjoy your walk.

in reply to Lalatoot

Amazing, it is a great feeling. Really appreciating life ❤️

LivingWithHT profile image
LivingWithHT

I don’t want to be a Debbie downer but for some people with thyroid related issues, like my hypo self, fluid retention never completely goes away. It may be easier to keep it at a lower level than usual but those few extra kilograms of water will always be around.

Even during the phases of my life when I was the most physically fit and healthy, I still easily retained water (for the same reasons I do now: exercising, walking/standing too much, consuming too much sodium or carbs in one meal, not getting enough sleep, etc.)

I don’t know if it’s due to genetics, too, and not just hypothyroidism but it has always been an issue for me. I don’t remember a time that it wasn’t.

in reply to LivingWithHT

Hey, I had water retention even when doing personal training, running etc when I was quite muscly. Since I have gone from ndt to Levo only I puffed up a lot. Only on optimal enough dose for the last few weeks, need to give it more time for sure. I'm okay with some water weight, but not with 20 pounds of it :) I have read your posts, it seems your ft4 is lower in range, have you ever tried increasing it to see if it alleviates symptoms?

LivingWithHT profile image
LivingWithHT in reply to

You are correct, my FT4 is in the lower range. I am actually working on increasing it now with synthetic T4 because like many of us now, I can’t get a hold of good quality porcine NDT. I have already tried two brands of OTC bovine NDT and they did nothing for me (but maybe it was just the brands that didn’t suit me, who knows.)

Oh, and yes, I agree...a little bit of water weight is okay in comparison to the usual high amount we hypos carry. What really bothers me, though, is how easily I can retain water...without even trying 😄😩.

in reply to LivingWithHT

Oh sorry to hear it, I had to discontinue my ndt, was poor quality. See how you go. Otc never worked for me either. I don't mind Levo and lio in combi. We shall get there :)

Totally, hopefully can she'd this water balloon at some point lol when I was treated optimally I was happy enough, a little imbalance and there it is, water!

LivingWithHT profile image
LivingWithHT in reply to

I hope it works out for you :).

It is crazy how sensitive the body is to the slightest bit of hormonal imbalance.

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