Does anyone use diuretics to reduce water retention? Think I’m very water bloated. My face looks like a moon today. If I smile I’m in danger of wiping out entire families with my fat cheeks.
Seems to be some days my face looks (almost) normal and then for no apparent reason at all I wake up with hamster pouches 😶 so I was thinking this must be water. Fat can’t come and go overnight like that can it?
Today I don’t want to leave the house...tomorrow I’m teaching. This is not good.
Bit worried diuretics might strain the kidneys?
Thanks all 😊
Jo x
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Josephineinamachine
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Have you had 25mcg dose increase in levothyroxine yet
Previous post from 3 weeks ago shows you are very under medicated
My TSH has gone down a bit but my Free T4 has also gone down and my Free T3 is up a bit:
TSH 3.64 mIU/L (Range: 0.27 - 4.2)
Free T3 4.23 pmol/L (Range: 3.1 - 6.8)
Free Thyroxine 12.700 pmol/L (Range: 12 - 22)
Previous blood results on 50mg (increased reluctantly to 75mg after a real push from me):
TSH 4.11 mIU/L (Range: 0.27 - 4.2)
Free T3 3.99 pmol/L (Range: 3.1 - 6.8)
Free Thyroxine 13.500 pmol/L (Range: 12 - 22)
The aim of levothyroxine is to increase dose upwards in 25mcg steps until TSH is ALWAYS under 2
When adequately treated, TSH will often be well below one.
Most important results are ALWAYS Ft3 followed by Ft4. When adequately treated Ft4 is usually in top third of range and Ft3 at least 60% through range (regardless of how low TSH is)
Extremely important to have optimal vitamin levels too as this helps reduce symptoms and improve how levothyroxine works
Hi SlowDragon Thank you. I did get an increase to 100mg 4 weeks ago. GP said to phone after 8 weeks of increase. She’s refusing another blood test so I’m going to do a Medichecks test in 2 weeks (6 weeks after increase). I’ve felt better in some ways and had 5 ‘good’ days in 4 weeks (which is better than none) but need to wait this out. Weird that some issues are clearing (like walking pain much reduced) but other issues popping up (like moon face). Don’t understand this.
At the moment I have Accord (Northstar 100mg). I've had different brands each time (GP says pharmacy need to take responsibility for brands, pharmacy says GP's responsibility).
I'm taking Vit D, Zinc, Selenium, Magnesium and Vit K. My last vit test was in January from Medichecks and all looked good except Vit D low in range.
I am on a strictly gluten free diet. I avoid milk and yogurt but do eat cheese occasionally (otherwise life would be really miserable)
Diuretics can deplete the body of minerals/electrolytes so you'd have to ask your GP about this. Prescribed diuretics will having you popping off to the loo frequently, maybe not too good for a teacher.
It might be worth looking for a more natural alternative, possibly gentler on the body but may not work quite so well.
I take dandelion leaf for this (not root) with the blessing of the Advanced Nurse Practioner when he wanted to prescribe a diuretic. However, my water retention was not as you describe.
Thank you SeasideSusie I was looking at dandelion tablets online. I would like to discuss with my GP but she’s not very helpful. She’ll just tell me it’s menopause and what else should I expect at 55? That’s her usual response to everything. I think I’ll give it a try just for a few days as need to wait for another blood test as well x
'Moon face' is a symptom of thyroid problems. A friend of mine went to the doctor several years ago. The doctor looked at her moon face and immediately diagnosed underactive thyroid. I would suggest that you are undermedicated. Unfortunately these days doctors don't know the signs and symptoms.
Go to this page on the ThyroidUK website and download the tick box list of symptoms. It might encourage your doctor to increase your medication and investigate further.
Just a thought but my daughter had a moon face and it took her 4 years to be diagnosed with Cushings- still pituitary gland related. Hopefully it’s thyroid and an increase in meds will sort it out but just to note the symptoms can be similar and possible for both to be an issue.
Thank you Anthea55 and Murray58 hopefully it's not Cushings but thank you for pointing it out. Think it's probably my thyroid meds not up to full whack yet but I'll have a google now! 🙂
Hi Jo, I tried dandelion but it did nothing to reduce my eye swelling and so my endo prescribed furosemide. I also teach & feared I looked worse on a morning. The furosemide did work initially, but (for me) offered no long term benefit. I gained confidence wearing dark glasses and laughed off pupil’ comments such as ‘are you trying to look like a rock star, miss?!’
Optimal medication and time have both eased my swelling and I hope this information offers you hope that things will improve.
Thank you Buddy195 Was teaching online so able to partially hide my face, which was probably less scary for the students. When back face to face at least I can wear a mask. Am going to wait out for optimal medication... as patiently as possible 😳
Hi , awe I totally no where ur coming from. I have days when see my normal face and then others so puffed up , nearest and dearest say I dont look any different put I definitely do.
As having a moonface is also a side effect of taking prednisolone long term and which I understand takes over the adrenal function of cortisol production, surely your GP can work out the relationship backwards!
I have needed prescription diuretics for about forty years now. Absolutely nothing else helped me. I had huge feet, ankles and lower legs plus some hand and face swelling with fluid.
Not sure if it’s down to diuretic use but I do have chronic kidney disease .
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