hypo feet?: hi everyone, Got a puzzle for you... - Thyroid UK

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hypo feet?

Roulette26 profile image
16 Replies

hi everyone,

Got a puzzle for you. Over the last few months I’ve developed a really nasty, uncomfortable problem with my feet. Both have now got very thick patches of dry skin on or around the heel with a tendency to crack, my Chiropedist likened it to a dry river bed! Having the joy of psoriasis and now eczema, that’s another story, I had a biopsy on one foot and it’s come up negative for either of them nor is it a fungus. As nobody seemed to know what’s going on I went on line and discovered that there appears that people with hypothyroidism can develop a similar problem.

Has anyone had a similar experience and if so how to get rid of it? Presently I’m using CCS cream, the Chiropedist is removing as much as she can, and Granuflex dressing on both feet, very attractive! Joking aside, it’s not only ugly but extremely uncomfortable to walk on.

thanks for reading.

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Roulette26 profile image
Roulette26
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16 Replies
SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator

Looking at previous posts

Are you taking levothyroxine and T3

What are your most recent TSH, Ft4 and Ft3 results

Dry skin suggests under medicated

When were vitamin D, folate, B12 and ferritin last tested

What vitamin supplements are you currently taking

Magnesium flakes in bath, or foot bath to help soften feet

Roulette26 profile image
Roulette26 in reply to SlowDragon

the last blood test 24/3/23

TSH 2.85. 0.27-4.2

T3. 4.7. 3.1-6.8

T4. 15. 12-22

As expected the Endo was happy with that as the results were in range!

I was still having issues with walking and energy levels and wanted to increase my dose, I was taking 75 levo and 5mcg lio x2 power day. He’s now got me on 75 levo, 5 mcg lio alternating with 100 levo, 5 mcg lio x2.

The best I felt was back in July last year ,

TSH 0.09

T3 6.47

T4. 15.3

But as expected he want happy about the TSH, which is all he cares about.

The last private test I did 18/10/22 showed

Vit D 106 50-290

B12 134 37.5-150

Folate 10.21 >3.89

Ferritin. 316 13-150

Taking Vit D3000+k2 spray

Thorne basic B

Adcal 1500 ( now have osteopenia)

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator in reply to Roulette26

Are you saying you’re taking 5mcg T3 in total one day and 10mcg T3 in total next day?

Absolutely ESSENTIAL to take EXACTLY same dose T3 every day

FT4: 15 pmol/l (Range 12 - 22)

Ft4 only 30.00% through range

FT3: 4.7 pmol/l (Range 3.1 - 6.8)

Ft3 only 43.24% through range

Currently you’re not on high enough dose

Request/insist on levothyroxine to 100mcg daily

Retest 6-8 weeks later

Last dose levothyroxine 24 hours before test

Last 5mcg dose T3 approx 8-12 hours before test

NHS England Liothyronine guidelines July 2019

 

sps.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploa...

Page 9 

Test for Deficiency of any of the following: Vitamin B12, Folate,  Vitamin D, Iron

See page 13 

1. Where symptoms of hypothyroidism persist despite optimal dosage with levothyroxine. (TSH 0.4-1.5mU/L)

what dose were you on last July

Ft4 could have been higher and Ft3 a little lower

Roulette26 profile image
Roulette26 in reply to SlowDragon

yes to the Liothyronine. It was only a few days after the consultation I realised that he’s left me 24 hours without a dose of Liothyronine. You mentioned I should insist on 100 levo, how about the lio? Should that be increased to 10 mcg every day?

I’ve quoted all the information to him, Nice etc, he ignores it. At one point he suggested I be transferred to another Endo, who is worse!

Last July I had been taking 100 levo and 20mcg lio, this was reduced to 75 levo and 20 lio.

I’m going to put a request out for a pm regarding a consultant on the list.

Thank you for your help

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator in reply to Roulette26

Liothyronine MUST be EXACTLY same dose every day

So yes…..2 x 5mcg everyday

Retest in 6-8 weeks

Test early Monday or Tuesday morning, 8-9am

Last dose levothyroxine 24 hours before test

Day before test …..last 5mcg dose T3 approx 8-12 hours before test

If endocrinologist doesn’t know that T3 must be exactly same dose everyday they are clueless ….. you need New endocrinologist

Roughly where in U.K. are you

Don’t change Levo yet

Only change T3

Roulette26 profile image
Roulette26 in reply to SlowDragon

clueless AND arrogant! Every time I feel good he adjusts my meds because TSH isn’t within range. I’m now confused and depressed. It’s only been 6 weeks since he changed the prescription, I’ve got another 6 weeks before a scheduled blood test, I seriously doubt he’d consider any change at the moment, you’ve no idea how many disputes I’ve had with him.

I’m in East Sussex. The 2 endos at the local hospital are equally useless, I don’t have confidence in either. I noticed the Endo I saw for approval for RAI is on one of your lists. When I queried some issues I was having he ignored me saying he had thyroid problems as well.

I’ve requested help from the community regarding a metabolic consultant, maybe she could get to the bottom of the autoimmune diseases I’ve developed since starting treatment for thyroid.

pennyannie profile image
pennyannie in reply to Roulette26

Hey there again ;

You must not be dosed or monitored on a TSH reading BUT on your Free T3 and Free T4 readings - I'm sure I've said all this before to you and feel like a broken record.

NIKEGIRL - had similar issues with her feet - she's in NZealand but will hopefully pick this up later.

Roulette26 profile image
Roulette26 in reply to pennyannie

thanks pennyannie,

I’ve tried to tell the Endo this but he keeps wittering on about heart problems, won’t even listen to Nice guidelines. How does one deal with someone like this?! Neither of my local consultants should be allowed anywhere near a thyroid patient.

I’ll look forward to hearing from Nikegirl, it really is a nasty and uncomfortable problem.

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator

T4 therapy

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/labs/pmc/a...

In a study evaluating tissue function tests before total thyroidectomy and at 1 year postoperatively when using LT4, it was found that peripheral tissue function tests indicated mild hyperthyroidism at TSH <0.03 mU/L and mild hypothyroidism at TSH 0.3 to 5.0 mU/L; the tissues were closest to euthyroidism at TSH 0.03 to 0.3 mU/L [48]. A normal serum TSH level consequently does not necessarily indicate a euthyroid state at the tissue level.

If GP or endocrinologist says " I have to reduce your dose because the guidelines say i can't let you have a below range TSH" .....

The first paragraph in the NICE (NHS) Thyroid Disease, Assessment and Management guidelines says :

nice.org.uk/guidance/ng145

"Your responsibility

The recommendations in this guideline represent the view of NICE, arrived at after careful consideration of the evidence available. When exercising their judgement, professionals and practitioners are expected to take this guideline fully into account, alongside the individual needs, preferences and values of their patients or the people using their service. It is not mandatory to apply the recommendations, and the guideline does not override the responsibility to make decisions appropriate to the circumstances of the individual, in consultation with them and their families and carers or guardian. "

It’s extremely unlikely to have TSH within range and be adequately treated on levothyroxine plus T3

If your current endo won’t accept below range TSH, when Ft4 and Ft3 are within range……

List of alternative thyroid specialists and endocrinologists 

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

NIKEGIRL profile image
NIKEGIRL

hi. I had what u described. My heels had deep cracking that bled. The skin would peel off my feet also. I have psoriasis and excema as well. Getting my thyroid levels in balance is what made my feet better. If my levels were too high as I had graves or too low after my thyroidectomy my feet would go through the same process again. So essentially for me my feet were an outward sign of my thyroid problem and getting levels more normal made my feet better. I hope that helps u.

jrbarnes profile image
jrbarnes

Since I've been messing around with my thyroid hormones and went off my higher doses of Levo I've developed the hardness and dry skin on the heels. Currently on T3 only. I've been putting petroleum jelly on my feet after a shower then put them in socks. It softens the skin so that I can gently exfoliate.

Roulette26 profile image
Roulette26

thank you jrbarnes, you’ve confirmed my suspicions. I’ve been using CCS cream because it got so bad. I’ll try the vaseline with the hope of keeping it under control.

helvella profile image
helvellaAdministratorThyroid UK in reply to Roulette26

You might find CCS Heel Balm is more effective than their basic cream (which is nonetheless a good product).

Roulette26 profile image
Roulette26 in reply to helvella

thanks

Batty1 profile image
Batty1

Your feet endure a lot and dry cracked heels are not uncommon…friction from shoes, socks, showering and walking can cause this its your skins way of protecting its self …. You need to go have a pedicure

Roulette26 profile image
Roulette26

I always look after my feet. However it has become so bad that I’m having to past £80 each time to have the skin removed, that’s every 5 weeks. So I don’t think it’s simply down friction, walking etc. I always wear comfortable shoes.

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