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swelling question

could diagnoses of hypo be the answer as to why my left cheek and eye have been swelling (off and on) for about a year?  and the "puffy" feeling i've been getting in my neck and jaw (off and on) also?  whats odd is it seems as if it has gotten worse since i've started synthroid...any opinions?
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314892 tn?1264623903
Thanks.
The only way to know if they are related is to allow time for your body to heal and see if they clear up.
Fluid retention from being hypo can put pressure on neves and tissues and cause numbness and tingling- esp in the extremities.
That makes me remember a symptom I forgot to mention. I had carpal tunnel like symptoms in both wrists/hands at night and upon awakening in the morning. This is completely gone with my TSH now under 2.

Hang in and good luck!

Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
well, i've had common ones; hair loss, fatigue, dry skin, muscle aches, dry eyes, sleep problems...but weird ones have been odd, heavy/tingling feeling in left arm/hand, and left leg/foot..also swelling and puffy feeling in left side of face and jaw and neck...these symptoms come and go...not sure if they're even ASSOCIATED with thyroid but i've been to neuro and everything checked out...had ALL kinds of tests done trying to find out what was going on...nothing...except the thyroid thing...but my GP (who is treating me for thyroid) says he doesnt think these symptoms are related to thyroid..but he ALSO says he's not completely familiar w/ thyroid issues
Helpful - 0
314892 tn?1264623903
I was going to ask what your weird ones were, too. Since you didn't say initially, I wasn't sure you wanted to share.

They are: vertigo, dysequalibrium- these 2 off and on for 13 years and until the last 2 months, continuously for the previous 18 months.
    
Just before diagnosis my TSH went from 3.8 to 6 in 1 month. That is not a huge number, but it is a big change from my previous readings ranging anywhere from 3.8 to 4.7.
When I hit a 6 TSH, I began to have crippling insomnia and anxiety. Did not sleep for more than 2 hours a day for 3 weeks. I think that alone caused a lot of the major anxiety.

So they are vertigo, dysequalibrium, insomnia and anxiety. Vertigo is listed as a hypo symptom, it is just not talked about much. The anxiety/insomnia initially make one think hyper, but they too can be hypo symptoms.

I could also add high heart rate, because it has improved lately. But I am also taking iron for a low ferritin, so I'm not sure which to attribute it to.

Also muscle twitches all over. These initially went away for a couple of months and are back, so again, I'm not sure. I will get a blood draw soon th check my levels with a new endo.

A symptom that may be related that still persists is  a very enlarged tongue with 3 scallops on each side that look like a pie crust! I will ask the new endo about that one, too.

I did have some typical symptoms including fatigue and hair loss, loss of concentration/memory and some eye symptoms.

Care to share yours? I'm all ears!!
Helpful - 0
314892 tn?1264623903
I was going to ask what your weird ones were, too. Since you didn't say initially, I wasn't sure you wanted to share.

They are: vertigo, dysequalibrium- these 2 off and on for 13 years and until the last 2 months, continuously for the previous 18 months.
    
Just before diagnosis my TSH went from 3.8 to 6 in 1 month. That is not a huge number, but it is a big change from my previous readings ranging anywhere from 3.8 to 4.7.
When I hit a 6 TSH, I began to have crippling insomnia and anxiety. Did not sleep for more than 2 hours a day for 3 weeks. I think that alone caused a lot of the major anxiety.

So they are vertigo, dysequalibrium, insomnia and anxiety. Vertigo is listed as a hypo symptom, it is just not talked about much. The anxiety/insomnia initially make one think hyper, but they too can be hypo symptoms.

I could also add high heart rate, because it has improved lately. But I am also taking iron for a low ferritin, so I'm not sure which to attribute it to.

Also muscle twitches all over. These initially went away for a couple of months and are back, so again, I'm not sure. I will get a blood draw soon th check my levels with a new endo.

A symptom that may be related that still persists is  a very enlarged tongue with 3 scallops on each side that look like a pie crust! I will ask the new endo about that one, too.

I did have some typical symptoms including fatigue and hair loss, loss of concentration/memory and some eye symptoms.

Care to share yours? I'm all ears!!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
kitty9309-  can you tell me some of your "not typical" symptoms of thyroid?
Helpful - 0
314892 tn?1264623903
Depending on your insurance, they may only cover generics.
My symptoms were not all typical of hypo, either and those have improved. I am almost myself 100%.
I am willing to bet your improve as well!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
i didnt ask for generic...not sure why they would give me that...anyway, i'm really  hoping to see an improvment next time i go back...i've had some VERY weird symptoms for about 2 years now...hoping to see them diminish ( a little at least ) with thyroid treatment
Helpful - 0
314892 tn?1264623903
That sounds right. My sister had your #'s and was on 50 mcg. Her TSH dropped to 2.02 and the endo upped her dose to 62.5 mcg. Her goal is a TSH near 1.
My TSH was 6 as well. I started at 25 mcg which brought my TSH down to 2.91. I teh upped to 50 mcg and the TSH is now 1.89. I am looking at a small dose increase next week. Probably 62.5 mcg like my sister.
Sound like you are on a generic. Can you get a brand? Otherwise, make sure the pharmacy always orders from the same manufacturer. Each one can be off slightly in regards to the actual dose in the pill. My endo said it can be off by 20%.
Have you had any thyroid antibody testing?
I am glad it seems to be helping already. Hang in there- it can take some time.
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Avatar universal
tsh was 6.0...he started me on 50mcg levothroxine??? is that rite?? i may have the name wrong...i can already tell that the fatigue is somewhat subsiding...thats a WONDERFUL feeling
Helpful - 0
314892 tn?1264623903
First, you will need followup testing every 6-8 weeks until the TSH drops to about 1-2.

It will take at least a few weeks (for me it was a few months) for the symptoms to subside. Some symptoms, like fatigue, may improve sooner.

What was your TSH at diagnosis and what dose are you on?
Are you on brand name or generic? Most endocrinologis recommend a brand name beacuse the dose is more accurate.
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Avatar universal
been on it for a week...doc didnt say when to come back for retesting
Helpful - 0
314892 tn?1264623903
Hypothyroidism can cause swelling due to fluid retention.

How long have you been on Synthroid? When will you be re-tested?
Helpful - 0
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