Anyone suffering with swelling?

[Footyg]

Hi, I was diagnosed with Graves’ disease 2 years ago and have been on Carbimazole until August this year. I’m suffering with swelling in my groin area, which is really uncomfortable. Has anyone else suffered with this? TSH currently normal.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Just testing TSH is completely inadequate especially if had suppressed TSH for long while

For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4 and FT3 tested. Also EXTREMELY important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12

Low vitamin levels are extremely common, especially with Graves diseases or if have autoimmune thyroid disease (Hashimoto's) diagnosed by raised Thyroid antibodies

Ask GP to test vitamin levels

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 .

This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip)

Private tests are available as NHS currently rarely tests Ft3 or thyroid antibodies or all relevant vitamins

List of private testing options

thyroiduk.org/getting-a-dia...

Medichecks Thyroid plus vitamins including folate (private blood draw required)

medichecks.com/products/thy...

Thriva Thyroid plus antibodies and vitamins By DIY fingerpick test

thriva.co/tests/thyroid-test

Thriva also offer just vitamin testing

Blue Horizon Thyroid Premium Gold includes antibodies, cortisol and vitamins by DIY fingerprick test

bluehorizonbloodtests.co.uk...

If you can get GP to test vitamins and antibodies then cheapest option for just TSH, FT4 and FT3

£29 (via NHS private service ) and 10% off if go on thyroid uk for code

thyroiduk.org/getting-a-dia...

monitormyhealth.org.uk/thyr...

Add any results you have or come back with new post once you get results

[Footyg in reply to SlowDragon]

Thanks, Yes had all the tests done. Just wondering about the swelling symptoms as no one seems to think it’s related to the thyroid, but can’t identify any other cause.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Footyg]

So what are your Ft4 and Ft3 results?

[Footyg in reply to SlowDragon]

They were in range last time they were tested (t4 was 16.8, t3 was 4.5). That was in May. They haven’t been tested since then. TSH was 2.62 (as of mid sept).

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Footyg]

Obviously need range of results...but they look low

Most people need Ft4 and Ft3 a bit higher and probably TSH under 1

Important to regularly retest vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12

[Footyg in reply to SlowDragon]

Thanks for your help. Have you heard of other people suffering with swelling?

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Footyg]

There was a similar post relatively recently....though I couldn’t find it (search facility is poor )

[pennyannie]

Hello Footyg and welcome to the forum :

I read everybody's journey with Graves is different, which, i know, doesn't help you :

If you don't know of the Elaine Moore Graves Disease Foundation you might like to dip in when you have more than a minute - as there are many areas researched in depth that currently, mainstream medical do not cover.

Graves is an autoimmune disease and your thyroid the victim in all this and not the cause, as the cause is your immune system attacking your body.

I'm with Graves post RAI thyroid ablation and now manage lingering Graves, thyroid eye disease and hypothyroidism and needing to self treat as currently the NHS routinely only prescribe T4 Levothyroxine which doesn't necessarily work when your thyroid has been disabled and burnt out in situ.