Does anyone suffer with severe water retention ? - Thyroid UK

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Does anyone suffer with severe water retention ?

Dottie19 profile image
29 Replies

Water retention

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Dottie19 profile image
Dottie19
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29 Replies
Lalatoot profile image
Lalatoot

Yes it is a symptom I associate with being undermedicated.

Dottie19 profile image
Dottie19 in reply toLalatoot

Thank you for quick response . Which diuretic do you take ?

Lalatoot profile image
Lalatoot in reply toDottie19

I don't. Mine went when I became better medicated and my hormone levels increased

Miffie profile image
Miffie

I have been prescribed diuretics for the last forty five years. It was always classed as related to hypothyroidism.

Dottie19 profile image
Dottie19 in reply toMiffie

Thank you for quick response . Which diuretic would you recommend ? It is so painful 🌸

Miffie profile image
Miffie in reply toDottie19

You really need to speak to your GP. No over the counter items work for me. I expect a telephone call might not be enough , not sure about a video call either however a face to face will confirm your problem. They will also monitor your kidney function. Best phone sooner rather than later. Good luck.

Dottie19 profile image
Dottie19 in reply toMiffie

Thank you 🌸

Jazzw profile image
Jazzw

Are you still trying to manage with Metavive, Dottie? It does sound like you might still be undermedicated.

But... I would say, if this is a new symptom, please go and see your doctor. It could be a sign of a new problem, possibly a kidney or heart issue. It ought to be properly investigated.

Dottie19 profile image
Dottie19 in reply toJazzw

I’ve been without Metavive for a couple of months due to COvid.I’m trying to source ERFA which seemed to suit me better .

I now have a prescription but to purchase I was quoted 600 pound .

I cannot afford this . The pharmacist is kindly shopping around for me .

My GP still refuses to help other than levothyroxine but I felt dreadful on that .

It really is a lottery . 🌸

Jazzw profile image
Jazzw in reply toDottie19

It’s just awful isn’t it? The price of NDT has risen through the roof. Apparently the raw materials for it—desiccated porcine thyroid—are really hard to source at the moment.

I take Nature Throid which isn’t actually available at all at the moment. I do have a few months’ supply but after that not sure what I’ll do if it doesn’t come back into production. And goodness knows how much it’ll cost when it does. :(

Bluespots profile image
Bluespots

I have this in my legs, round knees and ankles calves and feet. GP dos not bother and does not help and does not explain.....however when I miss a dose of Levo it goes away. A nurse oct gave me diuretics, cleared up straight away, but GP ignores it. Would not mind some info on this myself as I have got nowhere with the GP.

Miffie profile image
Miffie in reply toBluespots

If missing one dose of levo makes a significant difference I am unable to guess at the cause of your fluid retention. You definitely should be seeing the doctor to discuss the problem there are several causes for this happening.

You need to get him to see the fluid for himself. Has he never applied some pressure and seen how you retain a depression ? If not next time you go show him yoursef and ask him why this happens and fluid build up in feet and legs but not in other parts of your body.

Bluespots profile image
Bluespots in reply toMiffie

Thank you for that info.....done all that with GP and Endo. Still non the wiser. Only thing that properly shifted it was diuretics from a nurse. GP was horrified that I had had diuretics....don't know why if they worked. Good luck with yours.

Miffie profile image
Miffie in reply toBluespots

I can only think they are worried about your blood pressure dropping too low as diuretics have this effect. I was on a dose of diuretic less likely to cause issues. I still had to be careful. You need to ask them why they refuse to treat you if the symptoms are clearly visible and recorded over a long period of time. I also had to walk a fair bit to help keep it at bay as well as raising my feet above my hips at a minimum.

Bluespots profile image
Bluespots in reply toMiffie

Interesting, walking and legs up helps mine. Bit frightened to ask about it again, as this particular GP was really pissed off that I was given diuretics ( I have now had a few issues with her over inaction.....I think she found me a nuisance, because I always had health issues.....only that is what gPs are there for) Thanks so much for reply, so many do not take the issue seriously, almost like I am moaning about nothing. x

Nopurple60 profile image
Nopurple60

The water retention always seems to come on when my TSH are low...usually because I needed a higher dose. It always went away when my numbers are where they should be.

helvella profile image
helvellaAdministrator in reply toNopurple60

Not sure I am understanding?

TSH rises when we are under-dosed on thyroid hormone.

Nopurple60 profile image
Nopurple60 in reply tohelvella

I am guessing..as my face also gets puffy as do my hands.

helvella profile image
helvellaAdministrator in reply toNopurple60

Yes - that can happen with under-dosing. But your TSH would rise. And your FT4 and FT3 levels would fall. :-)

humanbean profile image
humanbean

Read the Patient Information Leaflets for any prescribed medications you take. Perhaps one of them has water retention as a side effect.

For some links on how to find out more about any medications you take...

Patient Information Leaflets and Summaries of Product Characteristics :

medicines.org.uk/emc/

For further info including an interactions checker :

drugs.com/

The above is a US website and it has rather more information about prescribed drugs available than any UK site I'm aware of. It also contains info on some OTC supplements and meds. You can search for the condition "water retention" too.

For info from the British National Formulary :

bnf.nice.org.uk/

Dottie19 profile image
Dottie19 in reply tohumanbean

Thank you 🌸

annnsandell profile image
annnsandell

Yes but I don't think it is associated with being under-medicated. I first noticed this when I was pregnant with my youngest child. When you have a scan with a full bladder and then an empty bladder and they said my bladder had not emptied. I notice in the mornings that I go 2 or 3 times in succession. I am on Spironolactone but that was prescribed for high Testosterone, if anything that makes it worse and certainly affects kidney function. I put it down to 2/3 quick births. Every now and again I remember to do some pelvic floor exercises. How long have you had this, could it be an infection as well?

I take Bumetanide and Spiranalactone but they are to keep the fluid away from my heart. I have an under active thyroid as well.

JAmanda profile image
JAmanda

I think it's bring under medicated

BonnieG123 profile image
BonnieG123

Your doctor should be able to prescribe the right diuretic for you. You take different ones for your heart verses your arthritis. Don’t ever let it get too severe if it’s caused by your heart. Get to a medical facility right away. I’m speaking from my own experience.

Dottie19 profile image
Dottie19 in reply toBonnieG123

Thank you Bonnie 🌸

BonnieG123 profile image
BonnieG123

You are welcome, Dottie

Shield-Maiden profile image
Shield-Maiden

Hi Dottie,

I have been on water tablets for years (the same type, in two countries) and it causes my Potassium to be very low, so I have to supplement.

For me, eating Carbs makes it worse (but I have Hashimoto's Disease).

I hope that the replies, that you have received, on this amazing forum, have helped.

Take care.

Shield

Dottie19 profile image
Dottie19 in reply toShield-Maiden

Thank you 🌸

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