I believe I had COVID in April 2020 but was negative by the time I had a test. My TSH and Thyroid perioxidase antibodies are out of normal range and I have high ferritin levels. I have fibromyalgia, osteopaenia and mild arthritis.
My concern is I am suffering from episodes of inflammation affecting my hands and feet where they suddenly swell, get hot and dark red and my face flushes. This will disappear in 10-15 minutes of by running cold water over them. It seems to happen after I go for a walk or at the end of the day. I am wondering if it could be erythromelalgia aggravated by amlodipine for high blood pressure or my thyroid and ferritin problems, or a long COVID symptom.
I am also having ear problems whereby I sometimes feel as if there is pressure on my eardrums and my hearing is muffled in my left ear. I had my hearing and ears tested in November 2020 and it was ok then. My left ear was clear of wax and my right ear was microsuctioned so I again I am at a loss to find the cause.
Has anyone had similar problems and identified the cause?
Written by
Topsy147
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
On levothyroxine dose should be increased slowly upwards in 25mcg steps until TSH is ALWAYS under 2
Frequently when adequately treated TSH will be well under one
Most important results are always FT3 followed by Ft4
Essential to regularly retest vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12
Low vitamins are extremely common when under medicated
Standard starter dose of levothyroxine is 50mcg. Dose is increased slowly upwards over many months, usually to at least 100mcg, unless extremely petite
Wow, just looked at your last post. You must feel awful—I would with those results.
All of the symptoms you’ve mentioned could be due to under medication, including tinnitus (that’s very common in hypothyroidies). You need a raise in dose - your GP is clearly one who has no idea that an “in-range” TSH means nothing in a patient treated with levothyroxine.
I’m so sorry you’ve been left in this situation. I wish I could say it was unusual but it’s depressingly common.
Ask your doctor for a raise in dosage—the idea of treatment is to alleviate symptoms and you’re a long way from having that happen.
Replacement therapy with levothyroxine should be initiated in all patients to achieve a TSH level of 0.5-2.0pmol/L.
NHS England Liothyronine guidelines July 2019 clearly state on page 13 that TSH should be between 0.4-1.5 when OPTIMALLY treated with just Levothyroxine
Note that it says test should be in morning BEFORE taking levothyroxine
Dr Toft, past president of the British Thyroid Association and leading endocrinologist, states in Pulse Magazine,
"The appropriate dose of levothyroxine is that which restores euthyroidism and serum TSH to the lower part of the reference range - 0.2-0.5mU/l.
In this case, free thyroxine is likely to be in the upper part of its reference range or even slightly elevated – 18-22pmol/l.
Most patients will feel well in that circumstance.
But some need a higher dose of levothyroxine to suppress serum TSH and then the serum-free T4 concentration will be elevated at around 24-28pmol/l.
This 'exogenous subclinical hyperthyroidism' is not dangerous as long as serum T3 is unequivocally normal – that is, serum total around T3 1.7nmol/l (reference range 1.0-2.2nmol/l)."
(That’s Ft3 at 58% minimum through range)
You can obtain a copy of the articles from Thyroid UK email print it and highlight question 6 to show your doctor please email Dionne at
I had Covid in April as well. You can get a blood antibody test to confirm if the standard test doesn't show it up. I got mine in September, and it confirmed I'd had it. The symptoms can persist, it is still affecting my breathing now almost a year later.
That said, you are undertreated. You sound exactly like myself when undertreated I have all those symptoms.
I went to see a dermatologist about the flushing and she confirmed it was due to being undertreated, she said it was a type of rosacea that sometimes accompanies hypothyroidism and would improve if the thyroid was treated, but might never completely go away.
She said the attack on the thyroid affects it (the thyroid's in the neck and gets inflamed, which affects the glands in neck and by extension the skin on the face) and it also happens when exposed to sudden heat and also when you eat, as the act of digestion raises the internal body temperature and the small blood vessels in the hands fingers toes dilate too quickly. Also the blood vessels in the face are close to the surface of the skin so it shows up more easily.
You need to get better treated. I know its a lot to manage when you're that unwell though and have to wrangle with doctors. I can't be bothered anymore and do my own thing.
I have had the blocked ear feeling for a couple of years now. All my levels for vits and thyroid are fine so it isn't that I am under medicated. And my ears are free from wax.I went to the GP initially and he called it Eustachian Tube Dysfunction. He prescribed some steroid nasal drops and prescription strength ear drops, but they didn't help. I tried exercises supposed to help with fluid behind the ear drum, but they didn't help either. Then I tried a balloon device which is supposed to equalise the pressure behind the ear drum with the pressure in front, and get rid of it that way, but that didn't help.
Now I have pretty much given up and am living with it. It's horrible.
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.
Burning and Painful Feet in the Night
Burning feet, tingling, cramp 
Ear symptoms possible thyroid problem? 
Burning feet and aching legs
