hypothyroid and swollen, burning sensation in both ankles

[fatDD]

a year ago I had my thyroid ablated. my blood numbers came back perfect for 4 months following ablation.I started to notice discomfort in both ankles, swelling and a sensation of burning. after 4 months I was put on synthroid. my weight gain has been constant, my eating habits are normal. due to pain in ankles it's hard for me to walk distance, or put any pressure on ankles, bending, walking,reaching etc.  No pain pill has helped, elevating does not help. I've been to every 'ologist' in the book, and not one of the doctors had a solution. I've taken a zillion blood tests, cardiac tests, vascular tests etc. all came out perfectly fine.  Everyone is flummoxed. I am still under the care of  my endocrinologist. I'm taking synthroid 150, and cytomel. recently I have been diagnosed with pernicious anemia, so I'm on B12(2000 a day) and Vit. D (2000 a day) My weight is off the charts, and my ankles are still swollen and burning. Is there anyone out there that has these symptoms? I'll keep the weight if I can just get rid of the pain in my ankles and lead a normal walking life.   HELP PLEASE  

[goolarra]

Please post your recent thyroid test results and include reference ranges (they vary lab to lab).

How much Cytomel do you take?  Do you split the Cytomel into two half doses?

[Barb135]

If you have Pernicious Anemia, simply taking 2000 mcg of B12 isn't going to help, because it won't be absorbed once it hits the stomach.  Standard treatment for PA is weekly injections for one month, thereafter, monthly injections for life, though some of us need more.  I inject weekly, in order to feel well.

[fatDD]

I take 5mcg of cytomel twice a day.  I haven't lost an ounce.went for blood work last Friday, will give you updated results soon as I get them. Again, my biggest problem is my ankles, any suggestions

[fatDD]

My endocrinologist did mention the shots, he was hoping it was just temporary and the vitamins would help, he also thought my ankle problem was because of the PA , any experience with that?

[goolarra]

My ankles swelled terribly when I was hypo.  They weren't really painful, although, as you said, there was a burning sensation when the skin stretched enough.  Mine went away once I was on an adequate dose of thyroid hormones.  That's why I'm wondering if your levels are adjusted properly.  Just being "in range" is often not enough to relieve all symptoms.  Many of us find that FT4 has to be about midrange, and FT3 upper half of range.

If you'd like to post your labs and ranges when you get them, we can help you interpret them.

[Barb135]

Again, if you really have PA, it's not temporary.  You could be deficient in B-12 from not eating enough foods that contain it, such as meat, eggs, dairy, etc and in that case, oral supplementation could help; however, that's not PA.  PA is an autoimmune disease, in which the body is lacking a substance in the stomach that allows for absorption of B-12.  If you don't have this substance, no amount of oral supplements will bring your levels up.

I get swelling in my ankles/feet periodically, for no apparent reason.  I can't specifically, link it to, either, hypo or PA. My heart has been checked out and my kidney/liver function is good.  In my research, I discovered that dandelion root is good for reducing swelling, so I bought some dandelion tea.... it worked; then I got some dandelion root capsules and have been taking them as well.  The dandelion root works better for me than Lasix does.  You might want to talk to your doctor and see what s/he thinks.  

[fatDD]

Thank you, I will post my labs and ranges probably by Tuesday, and wait for your responses.

[fatDD]

I will definitely discuss all your points with my dr.  Thanks.
My ankles stay swollen and painful 24/7, lasix did nothing.
Have you heard of arnica?

[toourlady89]

Hello, Years ago, my cousin was injured, had surgery for a broken neck. He was all black and blue. His wife was advised to use Arnica on him and it worked for the bruising, and the swelling.. that's the only treatment she used. He's much better now. It might be worth a try. Good luck.

This is from Google:
Medicinal Uses and Indications
Arnica is used topically for a wide range of conditions, including bruises, sprains, muscle aches, wound healing, superficial phlebitis, joint pain, inflammation from insect bites, and swelling from broken bones. More recent studies suggest it may also be helpful in the treatment of burns.
Homeopathic preparations are also used to treat sore muscles, bruises, and other conditions caused by overexertion or injury. Homeopathic doses are extremely diluted. They have no detectable amount of the plant in them and are generally considered safe for internal use when taken according to the directions on the label.
Available Forms
Arnica is available in topical creams and ointments. It is most commonly found as a tincture, which can also be used as the base for compresses and poultices. Arnica oil may also be used in topical preparations.
Source: Arnica | University of Maryland Medical Center http://umm.edu/health/medical/altmed/herb/arnica#ixzz2ZEeffhsJ
  

[Barb135]

I have heard of Arnica and have used it...... works good for some things, but not for others.  If you have bruising due to B12 deficiency, arnica won't help that; you need the B12 shots ......

[toourlady89]

Have you heard of Emu Oil ? Its oil from Emu bird, originated from Australia used since the Ancient times. This is what I use for any pain, burns, rashes, moisturizer, anything on the skin. No side effects, it makes bruises disappear in few days instead of weeks. Its true that you need your B12 to build up your blood , but Emu oil is for comfort. I sometimes have heel pain, and in my searches, I read that heel pain is one other sign of hypothyroid. I never knew that before. Anyways, I apply liberal amounts of Emu oil, rub it in very well and I forget I have the pain. Emu oil penetrates several layers of the skin and so they use it for arthritis, swollen joints, heal woulds, bee stings, etc. I love it. I carry it in my purse always. I worked in a hospital, my co workers and I buy it by the gallon which is cheaper and share. :)  More uses on Google and You Tube. I get it on line, Amazon or Ebay. Good Luck, I wish you well..

[fatDD]

Thank you so much.at this point of desperation I will try anything that might help.I am exhausted from continual pain.I want and need my life back!
Don't know if it will elevate the swelling or burn sensation. But will look for it  in health stores. I will say with everything I've tried, to no avail, I'm running out of money and patience.

[fatDD]

Should be getting a copy of my blood panel results today,  please tell me exactly what you want to see and I'll post it, for evaluation.

In your opinion how much cytomel would be needed for weight loss? Obviously what I'm now taking doesn't work.

Look forward to your next post after reviewing my blood results. Thanks

[goolarra]

We need to see all your thyroid lab results, hopefully FT3, FT4 and TSH.

Any other thyroid labs they might have run would also be helpful, e.g. thryoid antibodies, like TPOab and TGab.

Did they test any vitamins and minerals?  If so iron/ferritin, vitamin D, vitamin B-12 would also be interesting.  

With all tests, please include reference ("normal") ranges since they vary from one lab to the next.  These will be on your lab report, near the result.

A good way to post labs is:

Test   Result    (Reference Range)

for example

FT4      1.2        (0.8-1.8)

I'll look for them throughout the day.

[fatDD]

Thanks in advance.

  T3              3.5            0.470-4.680
   T4            1.68             0.78-2.19
B12             972              239-931
Folate, serum        13       3-20
HGB        12.1           11.7-15.7
GLU         154            65-105
CREAT         0.8         0.5-1.0
NA                 143         137-145
VIT.D, 25              31              30-100

so many letters, don't know what they represent,  if you give me  codes I will send more.Hope these help.

[fatDD]

Sent blood results,  to  all.
Please give me your opinion hope you see it if not let me know and I will copy to you

[fatDD]

Dr increased cytomel  to 10 twice a day, in hopes of losing some of the weight

[goolarra]

Just a few questions to clarify:

Is that T3 that's 3.5, with a range of 0.47-4.68, or TSH?  Are both FT3 and TSH on your lab report?

Anything you type on this thread, we can all see, no matter if you address it to any one person or don't address it to anyone at all.  It's all avaialable for anyone to read.

Your FT4 is at 64% of range, and the recommendation for FT4 is midrange (about 50%).  So, your FT4 is actually a little on the high side.  I'll comment further after you answer my question above about whether that's TSH or FT3.

B-12 looks good.  Glucose is a little on the high side.  Was that a fasting blood draw?  Vitamin D is dreadful!  LOL  Is your doctor suggesting supplementing that?

[fatDD]

It's TSH
Not fasting
And I take 2000 vit.D daily with 2000 B12

[goolarra]

Your TSH is 3.5, which is within range for your lab.  However, 10 or so years ago, AACE recommended changing TSH range to 0.3-3.0.  Using that more updated, but not widely used, range, you are hypo.  We don't know what your FT3 is doing, unfortunately.  You don't see anything on the report like "triiodithyronine, free", do you?  FT3 should be tested at every draw, but once you are on T3 meds (Cytomel), it becomes a hundred times more important.  

Glucose isn't my specialty, but I believe the range of 65-105 is a fasting range.  You would expect yours to be higher if you hadn't fasted.  You might ask your doctor about that, but be sure he knows that you hadn't fasted.

How long have you been taking 2,000 IU of vitamin D?  Unless you just started very recently, you are not nearly on an adequate dose.  Has your level gone up since starting the supplement?

Since you're just taking oral B-12, it looks like you don't have PA because your level is very good right now.  If you had PA, you wouldn't be able to absorb the oral B-12.

[fatDD]

Your info is amazing!
I started vit.D I'm March.
In your opinion, what amount should I be taking, and is it possible that might be causing my ankle problem?

I will request FT3 on my next blood draw.

Diabetes is not an issue, I've been cleared by other tests

Hypo is a huge problem, I breathe and gain! My inability to walk, stand  comfortably limits exercise, my food intake is WW approved.

Frustration level  100%

[goolarra]

I don't know what your vitamin D level was in March before you started, but it's just at the bottom of the range now, and many people with hypo have to have it close to the top of the range to feel well.  

I don't know if it might be causing your ankle problem DIRECTLY or not...if you go to the blue bar at the top of the page and click on "Forums", then on "Health Forums", you will see that MH has a new Vitamin D forum...they might be able to give you more info.  

Your very low D level might be having an indirect effect in that thyroid hormones aren't getting into cells like they should be.  I can't tell you how much you ought to be taking; you should ask your doctor.  Some of our members have started out taking 50,000 IU per week if they are severely deficient, but you should ask your doctor before doing that.  Also, all supplements are not the same, so you should ask your doctor for a recommendation or a script.

Yes, insist on FT3 next time around.  Our hands are really tied without that.  Your doctor really should not be prescribing T3 meds without it.  In the meantime, the increase to 10 mcg twice a day might help you to lose weight.  I'm guessing (because I haven't seen your FT3) that this was probably a good move on your doctor's part, but he's guessing, too (since he hasn't seen FT3, either).  

What's your current D supplement?

[fatDD]

Spring Valley high potency D-3  1000IU softgels

I have read the site you recommended,  very interesting, would be a kick in the head and amazing IF this is my problem.

I looked at my bloodwork from May 2013, and found
Vitamin D, 250H
Vit.D, 25        results 31   range   30-100

Does this help, I'm at the bottom of low, ugh