Update and question about facial swelling. - Thyroid UK

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Update and question about facial swelling.

7 Replies

I originally posted a question on facial swelling. I stopped the dose increase of 45 and went back to 30 and looked back to myself 3 weeks later. I was still having dry skin, acne, etc but now that I am 4 1/2 weeks since going back to my regular dose the swelling is starting to come back and the acne too. So it seemed like a tease to feel better for one week and then have everything haywire again. On top of it my dermatologist thinks the loss of my hair is thyroid related and my endo thinks not. When I felt my best I was at 120 of Armour and now I can't seem to tolerate dose increases. I'm only at 30 and since last year have lost so much hair that I have bought a wig:/...I get allergic type reactions to Synthroid and Armour so I can seem to tolerate what I am on now but my body panics when I increase?? My endo wants me to get tested at the 6 week mark again but I feel worse everyday. Any input would be greatly appreciated

Labs from last November

TSH 1.5

Free T4 0.8

Labs from January

TSH= 2.4

Free T4= 0.8

Total T4= 4.1

Free T3= 2.3

Ferritin=80

Thank you!!!

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7 Replies
Clutter profile image
Clutter

Tiredofswelling, members won't be able to interpret results without the lab ref ranges (figures in brackets after results) as the ranges vary from lab to lab and across regions and countries.

Your Jan TSH indicates you are undermedicated. Perhaps you could try NatureThroid or WP which are supposed to be hypoallergenic. If they don't work for you it may be that you are intolerant to thyroxine and should try T3 only.

Ferritin 80 is probably okay as sites like STTM recommend 70-90 as optimal in the USA.

_________________________________________________________________________________________________

I am not a medical professional and this information is not intended to be a substitute for medical guidance from your own doctor. Please check with your personal physician before applying any of these suggestions.

in reply to Clutter

Thank you for that. I was once on T3 only and felt great but my endo says since my T4 is borderline low and fluctuates between low that I have to be on a T4..Have had terrible luck.. I appreciate that answer and will look into switching one or the other up and starting an iron supplement as well. Much appreciated!

in reply to

TOS,

When medicating T3 only, the T4 test result is irrelevant and will be low anyway. Your endo may not know this, if unfamiliar with prescibing T3 alone.

The fact that you felt well on T3 alone indicates perhaps there is a problem with medicating T4.

However, T4 will only work well with ALL nutrients optimal. A doctors "normal" is not always the same level that members have found to be the most beneficial in making thyroid meds work better.

Some people's bodies have trouble getting rid of any unused hormones and may acquire a toxic build up and strange symptoms.

The best outcome is to use a tolerated med in the correct dose that the body can use.

Flower

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Disclaimer: I am not a medical professional and this information is not intended to be a substitute for medical guidance from your own doctor. Please check with your personal physician before applying any of these suggestions.

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puncturedbicycle profile image
puncturedbicycle

Just wanted to say that facial swelling is deffo a hypo or sub-optimally-treated symptom for me. Went away when I added a bit of t3 to my levo but has come back recently and I'm wondering if I need to add a little more. I'd try Clutter's suggestion of hypoallergenic ndt.

in reply to puncturedbicycle

Thank you and sorry for that you sorry you can relate. I can take a lot of symptoms but facial swelling is not one of them! I will ask for a new T3 and T3 reverse. Hope you get it worked out too. It is frustrating to say the least.

puncturedbicycle profile image
puncturedbicycle in reply to

Oh bless you, we're a sorry lot here with all our symptoms. :-) The swelling smooths out all the wrinkles and I often know I'm a bit puffy because I look unusually young and a bit fat.

If it helps, the doctor I was seeing who first prescribed t3 was the one who noticed it and she thought the t3 would help. And it did!

Josiesmum profile image
Josiesmum

Also, it may be worth a trial of going gluten free. This has helped by daughter's swollen face and legs. If you are sensitive to a particular food, this can cause swelling, so maybe keep a food/meds and symptom diary.

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