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Bags under eyes - Thyroid related?

Hi all- it has been some time since I posted, but I continue to struggle and as of the last 3-4 weeks I have noticed that I am developing bags under my eyes. I have never had this issue in my life, ever. Suddenly I wake up with fluid filled bags under my eyes, that don't go away all day....is it thyroid related?
My last labs interestingly showed my T3 and T4 levels and just less than 50% of the range, up until this point my levels had steadily increased with a steady increase in medication. This was the first time although she had increased my medication 8 weeks prior, that my levels actually dropped.
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1202943 tn?1347840652
Has your dr checked your Ferritin/Iron, Vit D and B12?   If those are too low it can have an effect on thyroid symptoms.  When my ferritin was on the low end my bags got worse and I had hair loss.  
Helpful - 0
649848 tn?1534633700
COMMUNITY LEADER
As you know, it takes 4-6 weeks for any dosage change with T3 in it, to take effect, so if you've only been on your new dose for 7 days, it won't have been enough. Sometimes, even after the 6 week mark, levels continue to increase and/or symptoms go away.

If your doctor thinks you aren't absorbing enough of the hormones, maybe she should be trying to find out why.  I understand that the slow release would stay in your body for longer, and would probably be past the stomach before it's all dissolved/absorbed.  

While missing one dose or even 2 isn't usually an issue, missing a full 7 days could certainly have consequences, especially, if you weren't optimal to begin with.  I guess that's a lesson to all of us to try to make sure we have an adequate supply of meds on hand in case of uncontrollable circumstances.  I'm making a note to myself to be more diligent about this.  LOL

It's not easy to completely change your med type, but if one isn't working, it's clearly time to try something else. Since you've been on the compounded, I'd probably see if the doctor is willing to go with desiccated.  Some people who don't do well on other types of thyroid med, thrive on desiccated.

I've never heard of itching in the ears being thyroid related, but people have had stranger symptoms.  

Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
The weird thing is that when she increased my meds after the labs while on the 30.70 my T4 and my T3 dropped significantly. She said some people just don't digest the slow release well and so even though the dose is high, the body isn't absorbing enough and so she has seen it be more effective when you change it to a non- slow release formula (one shot all in one pill) which I have been on for abou 7 days.
If that doesn't work I am definitely ready to try a different medication. I have never through this whole process felt any different...still gaining weight, still tired, I would say the only relief has been a lessening of the weepiness which happened back around October/Novemeber, tough ironically has returned over the past 3-4 weeks (I did miss 7 full days of medication when I ran out and the bad weather delayed delivery) so not sure if that just added to the issue. The labs were taken before this time period...
I am so afraid of switching types of medication...clearly I need a T4/T3 combo...she tested my Reverse T3 and that isn't an issue. Also I have this very weird itching on the inside of my ears, which I just realized started around the same time all of the other symptoms started. I am talking itching to the point of it waking me up at night, it is horrible. I have had it for 3 years now . I think it is related oddly enough. Just keep waiting for this "aha" moment that has yet to come!
Helpful - 0
649848 tn?1534633700
COMMUNITY LEADER
How were you feeling on the 30/70 dosage?  That looks like the best combo of FT3:FT4.

Have you thought about a different med?  You could try either a synthetic T4 with added T3, so you can adjust them individually or you could try a desiccated med, such as Armour, NatureThroid, ERFA, etc.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hi all- ok I am going to just go back to the last three sets of results. In October of 2013 based on 20 mcg T3/60 mcg T4 slow release compound formula my labs came back as follows:
Free T4 1.10 (.73-1.95)
Free T3 3.1 (2.3-4.2)
TSH <0.1 (.5-4.7)
Increased medication to 30 mcg T3/70 mcg T4 slow release compound formula.
Mid November labs after 7 weeks on above medication:
Free T4 1.25 (.73-1.95)
Free T3 3.8 (2.3-4.2)
TSH <0.1 (0.5-4.7)
In January my labs came back as follows When medication was increased to T3 40 mcg/T4 85 mcg slow release compound formula after previous labs.
New labs as of two weeks ago while on new noted medication above for 7 weeks:
Free T4 .96 (.73-1.95)
Free T3 3.3 (2.3-4.2)
TSH <0.1 (.5-4.7)
My doctor was surprised to see both my t4 and T3 decrease, she has now switched my to a non release capsule of 70mcg T4 30 mcg formula.
Within the past 3 weeks I have developed serious baggy/swollen eyes, some wee pines has returned and my favorite, more weight gain.
So frustrated.
To remind all I tested positive for the hashi's antibodies and hypothyroid.

Helpful - 0
649848 tn?1534633700
COMMUNITY LEADER
Those bags under your eyes can definitely be a hypo symptom.  I had huge ones, until I got on thyroid med.  They were the first symptom to go away and I didn't even know they were a hypo symptom at the time.... just thought I wasn't getting enough sleep or something.

If you're on med and you still have them or they are getting worse, chances are you, you need an increase in thyroid med.

Hypointx - please post your current results with reference ranges, so we can see exactly what your levels are.  

diliana - it would be best if post your actual results in a new thread of your own so we don't get them confused with those of Hypointx.  You can start a new thread by click the "Post a Question" button at the top of this page, type your questions/comments, then click the green "Post a Comment" button.  Be sure to include reference ranges for any lab results, since ranges vary lab to lab and have to be posted with results.
Helpful - 0
1363339 tn?1338771053
I have bags under my eyes too and they never go away since I was diagnosed.  I'm on 50mcg levo and never change the dose.

Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hey, just want you to know your not the only one, I too have bags under my eyes, looks real bad at night, I think thats when my thyroid hormone is very low, I'm due for an increase if i can get my doctor to see the light, so to speak. I'm on Armour, I have water retention, and in the morning I can really feel it in my feet and legs, and under my eyes , all this is i believe from not being adequately dosed. I would think it would go away as soon as your meds are adequate. , debbie
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