I’m so miserable. I’d never had trouble with water retention until last summer so I don’t understand why it came on so suddenly and why it keeps happening.
I recently increased my Levothyroxine to 75mcg and while it seems to be helping with other symptoms, I’m still all puffed up and uncomfortable!
My TSH is still over 2. Will getting it down help this go away?
Have you had heart and kidney checks as fluid retention is a common sign of problems with both.
When you increased to 75mcg levo, did the brand of levothyroxine change?
What are your T3 and t4 levels? Perhaps you need a dose increase.
Hi do you drink LOTS of water? I chug down 2litres a day - sometimes a bit more. I think this helps - sometimes. Feel for you. I picked dandelions and boiled them for a dandelion omelette the other day for a ‘healthy’ diuretic in desperation. It was not the best omelette I’ve eaten 😖 and I don’t think it worked. Other members have suggested we need meds to be optimal - maybe get a full test to see what’s going on? Don’t just look at your TSH... xx
I do try to. And it definitely helps if I chug water and am careful what I eat, but it never goes away. I’ve tried dandelion tea too 😂 I’ve tried sweating it out and even fasting. I still wake up puffy.
Yes, I think you’re right about optimal levels. It just seems strange to have such an extreme symptom when my levels are technically in range.
Many people here would say there’s a big difference being ‘in range’ to being ‘optimal’. This is something very important I’ve learned from everyone. Doctors will say in range so therefore fine, but what your body needs within that range is specific to you. I’m doing regular private tests to figure out what I need and will be doing another on Tuesday before speaking with GP the following week. My fluid retention seems to be mainly legs and face. I’m sure it’s hypo. Is one of the symptoms. Hair cut yesterday. Hair looks great - face like a moon though 🌝!! X
I have had fluid retention issues for many years and had to take prescription diuretics for at least forty years now. If GP finds your thyroid levels are good then ask for a diuretic to help. I can still press and keep the indentation for sometime but it’s nothing like as bad when the correct dose of diuretic is prescribed. Over time the diuretics have been changed as our bodies become resistant to each type/ brand over time. Good luck.
Sorry I have no idea what is causing mine. I have had it so long it prep dates the time patients asked the GP questions! No idea if it’s relevant however I have had a heart murmur , my notes stated an enlarged left ventricle but when I asked about it suddenly appearing when a print out of known health conditions was supplied for insurance the GP I spoke to took it off. The heart murmur I have had for all my life as far as I know and I now have chronic kidney disease.
My thyroid was destroyed by radiation therapy in the early 1950s so had hypothyroidism for very many years. Frequently under medicated by GPs with little/ no understanding of hypothyroidism. Have even had it suggested that as I do not have Hashimotos I cannot have hypothyroid. Some days I despair.
You definitely need to see the GP, it’s so easy for them to see fluid retention, if unwilling just do it yourself and ask them to explain why you keep indents in your body. Make sure you let them know it’s been there for a very long time and that you feel you should be prescribed diuretics. One handy hint I was given by a great GP many years ago was to always take a diuretic with a large glass of water, stand up to take it and drink the water very quickly. To be honest I have played around with other methods but he was right. It does get the most out of the medication. Keep drinking lots of water it really helps, just need to know where the loos are! Good luck with the GP.
Water retention
Does anyone take a diuretic to help with water retention? 
Hashimotos and water retention 
Hypothyroid Water Retention
Hashi and water retention
