Puffy ankles

[marydenholmmilne]

Can anyone tell me how to get my ankles back they seem to have disappeared and I now have kancles and large puffy bits sticking out all round them?

[Noelnoel]

If you can work out why you have puffy ankles that would be a start but in the first instance you could try what works for me, which is:

If you have someone to do it for you, all the better if not, sit yourself comfortably and massage all over your feet and ankles. Start gently and as the tissue warms, go deeper and firmer until it feels slightly uncomfortable. The skin and tissue beneath should start to feel warm and slightly tingly. You should spend a minimum of ten minutes on each leg

Once done, cover feet with warm socks and legs with a blanket and raise them. It’s best to do this in the evening just before you settle down to watch your favourite programme or when reading a book

Prior to all this though, you should drink plenty of good fluids, mainly water because during deep massage, the stagnant fluid in your ankles will be mobilised into the blood stream before being excreted in your urine and stools and it can make you feel a little unwell. To prevent this drinking plenty will make you pass urine more frequently thereby avoiding the pile-up in your bloodstream. Inconvenient but worth it. After about a week of doing this, you’ll see a very gratifying difference

[Noelnoel]

If you can work out why you have puffy ankles that would be a start but in the first instance you could try what works for me, which is:

If you have someone to do it for you, all the better if not, sit yourself comfortably and massage all over your feet and ankles. Start gently and as the tissue warms, go deeper and firmer until it feels slightly uncomfortable. The skin and tissue beneath should start to feel warm and slightly tingly. You should spend a minimum of ten minutes on each leg

Once done, cover feet with warm socks and legs with a blanket and raise them. It’s best to do this in the evening just before you settle down to watch your favourite programme or when reading a book

Prior to all this though, you should drink plenty of good fluids, mainly water because during deep massage, the stagnant fluid in your ankles will be mobilised into the blood stream before being excreted in your urine and stools and it can make you feel a little unwell. To prevent this drinking plenty will make you pass urine more frequently thereby avoiding the pile-up in your bloodstream. Inconvenient but worth it. After about a week of doing this, you’ll see a very gratifying difference

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[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Maybe you should get this checked out with your GP. It could be something very simple, eg puffy ankles is one symptom of hypothyroidism, but if it's pitting oedema (press with your finger, does it stay indented?) then it's possible it could be connected with kidney, liver or heart function.

Take a look at NHS page about oedema: nhs.uk/conditions/oedema/

[jamesal0]

Take up jogging if the GP give you the all clear.

[Evie7851]

I had swollen ankles when I was over medicated have you changed your thyroid medicine lately

[SlowDragon Administrator]

When did you last get FULL thyroid and vitamin testing

How much levothyroxine are you currently taking?

Do you always get same brand of levothyroxine ?

What vitamin supplements are you currently taking?

Previous post suggests you have Hashimoto’s, lactose intolerance and very likely gluten intolerance

No one on levothyroxine should eat any soya either

Lactose intolerance frequently means patients need higher dose of levothyroxine than typical guidelines of 1.5mcg per kilo of your weight

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 you have autoimmune thyroid disease (Hashimoto's) diagnosed by raised Thyroid antibodies

Recommended on here that all thyroid blood tests should ideally be done as early as possible in morning and before eating or drinking anything other than water .

Last dose of Levothyroxine 24 hours prior to blood test. (taking delayed dose 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?

Private tests are available. Thousands on here forced to do this as NHS often refuses to test FT3 or antibodies

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/testin...

For thyroid including antibodies and 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

Come back with new post once you get results and ranges

[Batty1]

Do you have JUST swollen ankles or do you also have other issues like joint pains or painful feet/toes?

[TheProf]

Are you on any heart or BP meds - they often give swollen ankles

[LivingWithHT]

Puffy ankles and calves are very common symptoms of hypothyroidism, but you’ll also notice water retention/puffiness in other parts of your body (like the face, fingers and toes.)