facial/eye swelling and hairloss

[iunderstand69]

I had my thyroid removed in Dec. and have been taking synthroid since.  My dr. added cytomel in Feb.  I have gained 45 lbs, I am losing my hair ( I have lost half of my hair), but the WORST is my face and eyes are swollen!!  I look in the mirror and I don't recognize myself.  My doctor says my bloodwork levels are in normal range.  Why am I still having these horrible symtoms??  I am leaving out the headaches, no energy and the fact that I can't focus on anything!!!  Any advice for me?

[iunderstand69]

Thank you so much for your response.  I started taking armour yesterday and I have been feeling better in just 2 days.  Around 430 today, all of a sudden my swelling in my face went away!  I am so happy!!  I was curious, are you taking armour?  If so, I was curious if you took it twice a day or once a day and if you took it with food?  Thank you!

[stella5349]

Claasically the puffy face has its own name when taking Synthroid - it is called "moon face" Yes - unfortunately - this is a big problem for alot of thyoid suffers on Synthroid.

I was having issues with it - but I am no longer experiencing that due to a med change. That was the least of my horrible symptoms I had when I was having trouble.

[pep88]

I am not the expert with the thyroid numbers... yet (just had my TT in Sept '07), but AR10 or anyone else with more knowledge than I, what do you think about the "total" t3?  I'm not sure how that differs from "free" t3.  

And hey, we've been married ten years this June, and I drive my husband insane... STILL... but moreso now that I've got thyroid meds racing around in my system :-O/;-))

[iunderstand69]

First of all, I am so sorry to hear about your eyes and cancer.  Oh, my.  It sounds like you have a great attitude!

I saw another specialist 2 weeks ago and she said my levels were also normal.  I did just start armour yesterday (2 grains).  I am learning that I am fortunate my dr. would give it to me.)  I have felt a little itchy though since I started taking it.  Although, I am feeling better  in 1 day.  I pray that I will be able to tolerate it!  Here are my levels.  I really don't know how to read them and would love your input.  I am also going to the eye dr. tomorrow.  OH, very important.  I left out the fact that I have severe food allergies.  I am allergic to seafood, nuts and lots of fruit.  Do you know if there is anything in the armour that would bother me?  My pharmacist said no.  

total t3 is 141
free t4 is 1.2
tsh is .95
vit. d is 43

Thank you for your support.  I need it.  I am driving my husband insane.  We just got married right before my surgery.  We had no idea what we were in for.  Who would have thought the thyroid could do all of this to a person?

[pep88]

Synthroid isn't for everyone.  I would discuss the possibility of a different med with your doc.  Some people are allergic to some of the "other" ingredients in the pills.  Just a thought.  I have recently went on Synthroid instead of a generic and I'm trying to get the right level.  I have started with some swelling just in the last few days, but I think it's because I haven't gotten the right dose for me yet.  

If your labs are in line... Big if sometimes... You might find it beneficial to try another med.  (Not every doc does ALL the tests, "normal" range for one doc, may not be normal for another... if you post your numbers, there are so many here who can evaluate and give you advice...).    Also, the eye swelling thing kind of scares me.  I went to an opthomologist a couple of weeks ago and found out I have Thyroid Eye Disease.  That was a Huge surprise!  It usually only comes with Graves disease or hyperthyroidism of some variation.  But I was one of the "lucky" ones to get it with cancer.  Yippee!  

I wish you luck adjusting to the weird world of thyroid meds....  My advice is post your test results.   AR10 is an encyclopedia when it comes to interperting the tests...