Aa
Swollen
OK I had a Thyroidectomy about two yrs ago and meds have never been regulated went off meds close to 5 months or so and was recently was admitted to hospital with chest pains and problems breathing found out my tsh was 308 when normal is .5-1.5 I suffer from myxedema also but was released from hospital and I'm on meds now but swelling is getting worse it's been in legs feet and around eyes but now I can feel it in my joints and hands arms everywhere and just want any suggestions to reduce the swelling
It is a long time until July 21st. And based on the info provided I don't have much confidence in the doctor anyway. Jumping from 112 to 224 mcg all at once is not a good idea. I know you want symptom relief, but I would not do that. You could have a reaction to such a big increase.
In addition, patients having to take such large doses of T4 often find that their body is not adequately converting the T4 to T3. Since Free T3 largely regulates metabolism and many other body functions, you really need to know your levels of the biologically active thyroid hormones, Free T3 and Free T4, which are not the same as Total T3 and Total T4. So, you should make sure that those are tested every time you go in for tests. In addition, hypo patients are frequently too low in Vitamin D, B12 and ferritin. Low levels can also cause symptoms, and low D and ferritin can adversely affect how thyroid hormone is metabolized.
A good thyroid doctor is what you need. By that I mean one that will treat clinically, by adjusting Free T4 and Free T3 as necessary to relieve symptoms, without being constrained by resultant TSH levels. Symptom relief should be all important, not just test results. Many members say that symptom relief required Free T4 at the middle of its range, at minimum, and Free T3 in the upper third of its range, or as necessary to relieve symptoms. You are going to need to get your Free T4 and Free T3, D, and ferritn optimized in order to get symptom relief, including the swelling that started when you were severely hypo. You may be able to get some short term relief from things like cutting out sodium, keeping your feet elevated as much as possible, and using cold compresses on your legs. I just read about some of these things, so I am sure you can find more suggestions,
but, most importantly, you need a good thyroid doctor. If you will tell us your location, perhaps we can recommend a doctor, based on recommendations from other thyroid patients.
In addition, patients having to take such large doses of T4 often find that their body is not adequately converting the T4 to T3. Since Free T3 largely regulates metabolism and many other body functions, you really need to know your levels of the biologically active thyroid hormones, Free T3 and Free T4, which are not the same as Total T3 and Total T4. So, you should make sure that those are tested every time you go in for tests. In addition, hypo patients are frequently too low in Vitamin D, B12 and ferritin. Low levels can also cause symptoms, and low D and ferritin can adversely affect how thyroid hormone is metabolized.
A good thyroid doctor is what you need. By that I mean one that will treat clinically, by adjusting Free T4 and Free T3 as necessary to relieve symptoms, without being constrained by resultant TSH levels. Symptom relief should be all important, not just test results. Many members say that symptom relief required Free T4 at the middle of its range, at minimum, and Free T3 in the upper third of its range, or as necessary to relieve symptoms. You are going to need to get your Free T4 and Free T3, D, and ferritn optimized in order to get symptom relief, including the swelling that started when you were severely hypo. You may be able to get some short term relief from things like cutting out sodium, keeping your feet elevated as much as possible, and using cold compresses on your legs. I just read about some of these things, so I am sure you can find more suggestions,
but, most importantly, you need a good thyroid doctor. If you will tell us your location, perhaps we can recommend a doctor, based on recommendations from other thyroid patients.
Well currently I only know tsh levels suppose to be on 224 levothyroxine but doctor said had to start low because it would be too much of shock to my heart but I'm on 112 Mcg for a couple more days then I'm to up it to the 224 mcg.... I have weight gain swelling hair loss cold all the time tired all the time extremely dry skin memory issues myxedema doctor said...doctor doesn't have me coming in till July 21st and supposed to get blood work done a day before
Okay, first I have to yell at you. You can not ever stop taking replacement thyroid meds after a thyroidectomy. Why would you ever even think of doing such a thing? It can become life threatening. End of yelling.
If your meds have never been regulated, I suspect that would have been because you were being medicated based on TSH. That doesn't work. A good thyroid doctor will treat a hypo patient clinically by testing and adjusting Free T4 and Free T3 as necessary to relieve symptoms. Symptom relief should be all important, not just test results.
If you will please post your last several sets of thyroid test results and reference ranges shown on the lab report, we can better assess what was going on in your treatment. Also, what med and daily dosage were you taking before you stopped, and what med and dosage are you taking now?
What, if any, other symptoms are you having besides the swelling?
If your meds have never been regulated, I suspect that would have been because you were being medicated based on TSH. That doesn't work. A good thyroid doctor will treat a hypo patient clinically by testing and adjusting Free T4 and Free T3 as necessary to relieve symptoms. Symptom relief should be all important, not just test results.
If you will please post your last several sets of thyroid test results and reference ranges shown on the lab report, we can better assess what was going on in your treatment. Also, what med and daily dosage were you taking before you stopped, and what med and dosage are you taking now?
What, if any, other symptoms are you having besides the swelling?
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