Pitting Edema

[SNOWKITTEN]

I've been having really bad pitting Edema in my legs/ankles/feet that keep getting worse. Its gotten so bad I have a hard time bending over, doing ANY activity and I keep falling (its also painful). I also have fatigue, muscle pain, joint pain, severe leg cramps, body swelling (different from the pitting edema), stiff hands, loss of coordination, loss of concentration, memory symptoms, cold hands (and cold in general), dizziness, nausea, weight gain (40+ lbs in two months), loss of appetite, muscle cramps, depression, anxiety, etc...
I've had low protein levels (not significant but enough to be low and decreasing) for the past 3 years. I kept seeing my provider but since my urine is normal for protein she was going to ignore it untill I started falling.

Test results.....
Urine is normal
Heart is normal
Cholesterol/glucose/sodium normal
Low Protein (5.2)
Low Albumin (3.1)
Low vitamin D (13) (was put on meds that havn't helped above symptoms)
Low calcium (8.3)
Low MCH (26.9)
Low MCHC (33.2)
Low IGA (49)
Low IGG (225)
High TSH (4.95)
High Transferrin (355)
High Alpha-1-antitrypsin, feces (145)
Celiac disease panel- Negative
EGD normal (except mild gastritis)

My question is does anyone have any idea what is wrong or could be wrong? Im very miserable and it has seriously affected my daily life.

Oh it should also be noted that I crave protein like crazy and no matter how much I eat, It doesn't increase my levels

[SNOWKITTEN]

I've never had an allergy panel done but it might be worth trying. I think ill ask my provider for it. She's pretty go about doing what i want, she just wont do much unless I specifically ask. Its why i ended up here. I figured if i get some ideas from others I would know what to ask for.
Im already on a high dose of vitamin D so I cant take more, BUT, if my levels havn't improved ill ask my doc about the liquid, thanks for the idea.

[jemma116]

Well it was Red_Star's idea to check out You Tube that got me looking at it and I came across that one in particular.  I was amazed about all the symptoms that you can get with hypothyroidism.  The common symptoms everyone associates with hypothyroidism is weight gain and not being to lose it and feeling cold all the time even in hot weather.

Of course, you do realise not you do not have to have all the symptoms that are mentioned.

The information on the types of food to eat and avoid were interesting too.
Avoid broccoli and cauliflower (can't remember any more foods), because these hamper thyroxin levels.

My husband suffers with burning feet, but this is as a result of damaged nerves due to diabetes.  When he goes to the doctor again, I will tell him to get a blood test taken to check his thyroid levels.

Hope you both get the right treatment to help with your condition.

Best wishes.

[SpaGirl1966]

You have a lot going on and I can only give a little input.....try a liquid vitamin d, make sure you take with a little fat....I always combine mine with my fish oil.

Have you ever been tested for food sensitivities? I am not celiac and had a vitamin d level of 11 at one point. I have to avoid gluten, dairy and soy. My vitamin d is now 50 and as long as I keep a pretty clean diet the inflammation in my system stays really low and the rest of my blood work remains mid range verses high or low.

See if you can find a physician that specialized in preventative medicine.....the best thing that ever happened to me!!!

[Red_Star]

Two of my symptoms that perplexed me for years, and i only realised in the last year or so were symptoms of hypothyroidism, are burning feet and pale lips (pure white on occasion).  I've never seen any article or video mention those two symptoms until now! Great video from Dr Hotze!  

I've have all those clinical symptoms listed on that video except the headaches, migranes, and high cholesterol. I have other conditions which cause low cholesterol.  My body temp was low 35C (95F) range. I'm seeing an endocrinologist who really doesn't understand the cellular issues but he's nice enough.  The Dr Hotze's of this world are few and far between!  

[SNOWKITTEN]

ok I looked at those videos.....
I dont have myxedema now, my body is so swollen it literally feels like im going to burst out of my skin, but i do remember my skin doing that before the swelling. Im wondering if thats a fluke or not. Ill keep an eye out.

The other video (4 ways to diagnosing hypothyroidism) just flabbergasted me. I had nearly every symptom, had EVERY physical manifestation & Had the temp issue. Family HX is a little fuzy, my mom had high tsh on her last test but she had so many other issues she didn't follow up & I dont know my fathers side of the family.

I was really blown away over the temp thing. I've had low temp all my life. Im shocked a doctor didn't notice that something was off.

Thank you both for the video suggestions. They were helpful

[jemma116]

Glad to know that you have now been put on thyroid medication.

The dosage is a trial and error at first.  It may take a while to get the right dosage for you.  

Your doctor should monitor your blood levels to see how you are on the dosage prescribed and it need to be adjusted until you get it right.

Hope things will settle down for your and your health starts to improve.

Thanks for letting us know.

Best wishes.