Thyroid and leg swelling

[Jordynn]

Hey guys. New to this.

Currently on meds for thyroid after thyroid crashed after lots of BB shows. (No regular cycle for 6 years and 27yrs old)

Thyroid test came back as

Tsh 0.01

T4 -13

T3- 3.5

Legs are so swollen and fluid. Always pins and needles. Looking for advice any help. Currently on 100mcg levo and t3 20mcg

Need some help as the swelling and fluid retention is getting me down and the pubs and needles is unbearable some days.

[Jaydee1507 Administrator]

Welcome to the group. If you could complete your profile it helps members understand your thyroid journey so far and be able to advise you better. Click on your image icon to start. Fill out the free text box at the top.

Can you add the reference range for each test - numbers in brackets after your result. The range varies from lab to lab so is important.

How do you take your T3? Do you split the dose?

Are you on any other meds?

Pins and needles is often a sign of low B12. Have you had any vitamin levels checked lately?

When hypo we get low stomach acid which means we cannot absorb vitamins well from our food, regardless of a great diet. For thyroid hormone to work well we need OPTIMAL levels of vitamins. Have you recently or could you ask your GP to test levels of ferritin, folate, B12 & D3? Private tests are available, see link for companies offering private blood tests & discount codes, some offer a blood draw service at an extra cost.thyroiduk.org/testing/priva...

There is also a new company offering walk in (includes free blood draw) & mail order blood tests in London, Kent, Sussex & Surrey areas. Check to see if there is a blood test company near you. onedaytests.com/products/ul...

Only do private tests on a Monday or Tuesday to avoid postal delays.

It's ideal if you can always get the same brand of levo at every prescription. You can do this by getting GP to write the brand you prefer in the first line of the prescription. Many people find that different brands are not interchangeable.

Always take Levo on an empty stomach an hour away from food or caffeine containing drinks & other meds. Many people find taking it at bedtime works well for them.

Do you know if you had positive thyroid antibodies? Many with autoimmune thyroid disease aka Hashimoto's benefit from a gluten free diet. A smaller percentage of those also need to remove dairy from their diet to feel well. These are intolerances and will not show up on any blood test.

Did you do the test as per the protocol recommended here? Recommended blood test protocol: Test at 9am (or as close as possible), fasting, last levo dose 24hrs before the blood draw, last T3 dose 8-12 hours before blood draw & no biotin containing supplements for 3-7 days (Biotin can interfere with thyroid blood results as it is used in the testing process)?

Testing like this gives consistency in your results and will show stable blood levels of hormone and highest TSH which varies throughout the day. Taking Levo/T3 just prior to blood draw can show a falsely elevated result and your GP/Endo might change your dose incorrectly as a result.

[jparsss in reply to Jaydee1507]

I take my t3 at 6pm and my levo at 7.30am

I don't aplit my t3. How would I do this? What timings etc? Any help would be amazing.

Is low tsh okay? Or would the low tsh cause symptoms like swelling etc?

[greygoose]

Hi Jordynn, welcome to the forum.

You haven't given the ranges - please do because they vary from lab to lab - but your FT3 looks very low for someone on 20 mcg T3. Do you always take it on an empty stomach and wait at least an hour before eating or drinking anything other than water? And take other medication/supplements at least two hours away from thyroid hormones? Your FT4 looks as if it could be low, too.

Pins and needles are often caused by low B12. Have you had that tested? If not, ask your doctor to test vit D, vit B12, folate and ferritin. The thyroid hormone you're taking cannot act correctly if your nutrients are sub-optimal.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

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)

T3 ….day before test split T3 as 2 or 3 smaller doses spread through the day, with last dose approximately 8-12 hours before test

what vitamin supplements are you taking

Is your hypothyroidism autoimmune usually confirmed by high thyroid antibodies

If it’s autoimmune are you on strictly gluten free and/or dairy free diet

Private tests are available as NHS currently rarely tests Ft3 or all relevant vitamins

Testing options and includes money off codes for private testing

thyroiduk.org/testing/

Medichecks Thyroid plus BOTH TPO and TG antibodies and vitamins

medichecks.com/products/adv...

Blue Horizon Thyroid Premium Gold includes BOTH TPO and TG antibodies, cortisol and vitamins

bluehorizonbloodtests.co.uk...

Only do private testing early Monday or Tuesday morning.

Link about thyroid blood tests

thyroiduk.org/testing/thyro...

Link about Hashimoto’s

thyroiduk.org/hypothyroid-b...

Symptoms of hypothyroidism

thyroiduk.org/signs-and-sym...

Tips on how to do DIY finger prick test

support.medichecks.com/hc/e...

Medichecks and BH also offer private blood draw at clinic near you, or private nurse to your own home…..for an extra fee

[Bearo]

Just responding to your question - some people split their T3 by using a pill cutter or scalpel and some people take it all in one go. There are benefits to both methods.