swollen fingers

[Vorney]

hi

Does anyone find that their fingers are swollen? I have never had an issue wearing my rings , regardless of putting weight on or losing it. But lately my fingers are swollen so it’s uncomfortable to wear them? My hands are permanently dry despite drinking lots of water, and moisturing constantly

[TiggerMe]

Yep, when my fT3 was low I'd get sausage fingers after walking or if it was very warm, did you manage to get a dose increase as you were undermedicated, last post you were due more blood tests, you need to push for them to do a full thyroid panel which includes fT3 🤗

[Buddy195 Administrator]

I’ve just read your previous post Vorney; are you now taking 100mcg Levothyroxine? Are you supplementing any vitamins that were flagged as low?

If thyroid medication and/ or key vitamins are not optimal then adverse symptoms (including increased swelling and dryness) can worsen.

I, like many other members, have massively improved my health by following forum advice to optimise thyroid medication and key vitamins.

[Seven_on_bikes]

You are not alone! My fingers swell terribly overnight and get better over the course of the day. The swelling is worse in winter and on my right side and both my hands are so dry. I take my ring off at night as I can't get it off in the morning otherwise. I find the swelling is worse when it is cold and wet and seems to go/ reduce significantly when the weather is warm and dry. I have just learned to live with it. Doctors i've seen are confounded by it and I can't bear any more fruitless tests. Let me know if you find a cure 😂

[TiggerMe in reply to Seven_on_bikes]

Have you checked your Vit D levels?

[Sandra600]

My fingers were swollen before I received medication

[posthinking01]

Yes - I always use my fingers as a key indicator of whether my thyroid is running low. And when your hands are so so dry even after moisturiser- same reason ! Are your lower legs dry and flakey too with no hair on lower part - same again

[Beads in reply to posthinking01]

Side effect of adding T3 last year, I’ve started growing leg hair again, back to the yeti look! 😱 I currently have the overwhelming urge to rip it all out, but can’t summon up the actual strength/courage/motivation to get round to doing it.

And, yes, they’re usually dry as anything, constant moisturiser doesn’t touch it, but even that’s improved a lot.

[posthinking01 in reply to Beads]

Brilliant - well done - I leave the hair intact as so proud my thyroid is responding. Nothing will help those dry hands other than the hormone that is needed. Its awful.

[Beads in reply to posthinking01]

Mmm, that’s what I was thinking, I’ve not been this fluffy for years, I’ll keep it for insulation over the winter.

[Sparklingsunshine in reply to Beads]

The beauty of winter is wearing trousers and thick jumpers all the time so no one notices if you're getting a bit furrier. Plus its so cold I'm not sure anyone is thinking amorous thoughts. More interested in trying to stay warm and dry 😆

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Previous post

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

Time to retest thyroid and vitamin levels

Make sure you at least get ferritin level retested along with thyroid

How much vitamin D are you taking

What other vitamin supplements

Which brand of levothyroxine are you now taking

Recommended that all thyroid blood tests early morning, ideally just before 9am, only drink water between waking and test and last dose levothyroxine 24 hours before test

This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip)

you may be ready for next increase in Levo

[Vorney in reply to SlowDragon]

my next bloods are being taken 15 Jan and I have already asked my Dr to include a full screen of my vitamin levels, as don’t want to start supplementing until I know where I am at . Pretty sure I need something as joints are inflamed and vertigo every day too

[emilysnannie]

Hi Vorney - I had the same problem , 10 years ago I cut out dairy the only thing I allow myself is Butter as this is classed as okay. As I suffer with Arthritus this has helped me so very much . I still cant get my rings on as the arthritus has made my finger joints bigger.... But dont get the swelling unless I eat Chocolate...... Hope that helps x

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to emilysnannie]

I am strictly dairy and gluten free

It’s possible to get dairy free chocolate these days 😀

[jgelliss in reply to SlowDragon]

Yes . There is 72%dark chocolate that is available that is dairy free. I don't know the name . Maybe someone would know.

[jgelliss in reply to emilysnannie]

Thank you for sharing your experiences with experiencing inflammation when you have chocolate. Do you also have the same experience when you drink coffee too? I'm wondering if it's caffeine related with water retention?

[emilysnannie in reply to jgelliss]

Hi No I dont get a problem with coffee. I am gluten/wheat/lactose intolerant so dont do milk etc in anything. Use Coconut/almond milk if I need to use milk in a recipe. Really helps me not getting inflammed joints and swollen fingers. Take care of yourself. xx

[jgelliss in reply to emilysnannie]

Thank you so much for getting back to me. I have dark chocolate without any milk and was wondering if from dark chocolate dairy free can cause issues too? I too am off gluten dairy . It's great.

[emilysnannie in reply to jgelliss]

The only thing that could cause swollen fingers dark choc without milk could be is it contains Soya. I find with my thyroid meds cant take soya. x

[Maggiemay12]

that’s exactly what happened me but my thyroid was too high for me and I think that caused it . They still haven’t gone down yet