Just wondering if anyone has any knowledge about swollen fingers/hands? I have Hashimotos, take 100mcg of Levo and also take B12 and B complex, Vitamin D and K2. I have been on a gluten free diet for 2 years.
All of a sudden, when I am walking, my hands have started swelling quite a lot. I have also noticed for the last two weeks my fingertips feel like I have burnt them all and are quite sore all of the time. I also have a small blister type thing appear on two fingers.
I have booked another appointment with my GP on Thursday, only to find out what I can do to stop the burning sensation.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Many thanks
Written by
Jillycee
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Ask GP to run full Thyroid evaluation. So you need TSH, FT4, TT4, FT3. Plus vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12.
If you are taking vitamin B complex, or any supplements containing biotin, remember to stop these 3-5 days before any blood tests, as biotin can falsely affect test results
All thyroid tests should be done as early as possible in morning and fasting and don't take Levo in the 24 hours prior to test, delay and take straight after. This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip, GP will be unaware)
Thanks SlowDragon. My GP won't run anything other than the TSH test, so I have them done privately every 6 months. I had them done in April and have been advised on here before to stop taking my Levo until after my test, so I did do that. However, I didn't stop my B Complex, so will try that next time.
I am on the same brand of Levo as normal and I try really hard to be 100% gluten free and can guarantee I am at home, but of course I can't be 100% certain when I'm out.
Ive attached my last results at the top of the post
These results would suggest you are under medicated. Suggest you ask for 25mcg dose increase
TT4 is very near bottom of range, as is FT4. FT3 is also too low
Your folate is dire. Does your vitamin B complex contain folate or folic acid.
Vitamin D too low as well, should be nearer 100nmol
Dr Toft, past president of the British Thyroid Association and leading endocrinologist, states in Pulse Magazine,
"The appropriate dose of levothyroxine is that which restores euthyroidism and serum TSH to the lower part of the reference range - 0.2-0.5mU/l.
In this case, free thyroxine is likely to be in the upper part of its reference range or even slightly elevated – 18-22pmol/l.
Most patients will feel well in that circumstance. But some need a higher dose of levothyroxine to suppress serum TSH and then the serum-free T4 concentration will be elevated at around 24-28pmol/l.
This 'exogenous subclinical hyperthyroidism' is not dangerous as long as serum T3 is unequivocally normal – that is, serum total around T3 1.7nmol/l (reference range 1.0-2.2nmol/l)."
You can obtain a copy of the articles from Thyroid UK email print it and highlight question 6 to show your doctor please email Dionne at
tukadmin@thyroiduk.org
Professor Toft recent article saying, T3 may be necessary for many
Thanks SlowDragon. I will speak to my GP about an increase. I have tried to show her the article from the pulse magazine before but she said she didn't have time to read it!! After looking at the shock on my face when she said that, she did agree to give me an increase in Levo, but said that she would put it in my notes that she didn't agree that I needed it!! That's why I'm a little nervous going to my GP about anything now.I was advised on this forum that my folate was too low, and when I looked at my B complex, It does have folate in but I was only taking one tablet a day and I should have been taking two, so I have now increased this. I do normally take Vitamin D just through the Winter. Should I continue through the Summer also? I am going away next week for some sun, so hopefully that will help.
Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.
Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.