Swollen ankles due to Hypothyroidism

[BlueCatSmile]

Does anyone have a solution for Oedema (swollen ankles, feet and legs) please? I have Hypothyroidism.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Welcome to the forum

Yes swollen legs and arms very common, but especially if dose not fine tuned

How much levothyroxine are you currently taking

Do you always get same brand of levothyroxine

See you have Hashimoto’s and type one diabetes

Both are autoimmune

Are you on strictly gluten free diet?

Low vitamin levels are extremely common with Hashimoto’s

What vitamin supplements are you currently taking

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

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 .

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)

Is this how you do your tests?

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 antibodies and vitamins

medichecks.com/products/adv...

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 down to £26.10 if go on thyroid uk for code

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

monitormyhealth.org.uk/

NHS easy postal kit vitamin D test £29 via

vitamindtest.org.uk

[Buddy195 Administrator]

Some people find a diuretic helps (eg furosemide or a natural option like dandelion).

When my ankles swell I use a few drops of Frankincense, Geranium & Lavender oils in a base oil (eg almond oil) & massage into my skin a few times a day. Elevating your feet at night may help too. I’ve just bought some horse chestnut gel (Dr Vogel) as this is supposed to help blood flow- it’s very cooling but a bit sticky..... too early to say if it is effective but I’ve heard others say it works for them.

[Miffie]

I have required prescription diuretics for over forty years. Even decent thyroid levels don’t help noticibly.

[Partner20]

In the first instance your GP should be consulted, as oedema can be caused by several conditions, even some medications, and must be investigated. Maintaining optimal thyroid levels is obviously important, but please make an appointment soon.

[Triciatextiles]

I have recently started taking furosemide which has helped with my oedema. Optimal thyroid levels didn't help me either.

[Aurealis]

In my case swollen ankles was related to insufficient treatment with levothyroxine.