I have hypothyroidism and take 100 mcg of Synthroid. My blood work shows that my thyroid levels are normal.

Is edema in the legs and fingers a symptom of hypothyroid? I have swelling that can get extreme. I had the sleeve on 4/6/13
Linda

Yes it is. I had it extremely bad Switched from levithyroxin to Armour and it was 90% GONE in less than 24 hours. Not all thyroid drs recognize it as a symptom especially if you are overweight. I had a thyroid specialist tell me I just had to lose a little weight. But DANGER edema is also a symptom of congestive heart failure. So a doc should diagnose you. The reason Armour works for some is because the levithyroxin gives your body t-3 and your body makes t4 out of it. My body didn't make t-4 so my bloodwork came back fine but I still had symptoms. Armour is t-4. Anyway. I know that is a lot of info but I hope it helps.

Hey, see you had Dr Kelly, too! I'm going tomorrow to my PCP. However the last time I talks to her, she said to eat less salt. I don't think I eat much salt. But I've never measured it. My edema is so bad that I can press my thumb into my shin and make indents that stay for At least 5 mins. Sometimes my anew feel tight from the fluid.

Thyroid tests seem complicated. You can be in normal range and still have problems? I have normal results on t4 and t3. I have an appt tomorrow. But right now, since I have drank a lot of water, the edema is down.
Thanks for your response!

Yes, it is very complicated. The thyroid controls a myriad of systems. But definitely hydration will help, the right medication, and activity... but when I am very active I get the fat ankles so I try to exercise moderately.

Oh and i LOVED Dr. Kelly! Can't say enough good things abut him and his wife!

Me too! I am trying to take a friend to see him just so I can go back!

I went to my PCP and she gave me a water pill. I still have some fluid retention, especially in the afternoons, even taking the pill. How do you find a thyroid specialist? Endocrinologist?

Where do you live? I happened upon one my massage therapist recommended. He is at a Women's Health practice. It can take forever to find one that will listen to you, do in-depth blood tests, and then find the right combination for you. Like I said, the Thyroid "specialist" was a crack pot so I'm not sure. My first thyroid doc was hypothyroid as well so he knew what questions to ask and understood this crazy ride. Ask for Armour if you are not on it already. Like I said, it was the magic ticket to lose all that edema. It wouldn't hurt to try!

Also, everytime you ask a doc if he has experience treating hypothyroidism, they all say yes and then you start seeing a pattern. It seems they all read the same medical journal on thyroid. They quote the same studies as everyone else and follow the charts which are probably from over 1- years ago.

I'm literally falling asleep while I'm writing this... I need to stop...more tomorrow.

After my primary docs kept saying my thyroid was still in the normal range just on the high end and never doing anything about it, I finally went to an
endocrinologist who said with all my symptoms I should be on meds. Levothyroxin made me a crazy person so I did lots of research and heard of armour. Doc was hesitant to put me on but did. Adjusted levels for a year and now on a ref dose.

So does Armour help with hypo or hyperthyroidism? I was diagnosed as hyper 10 years ago but my symptoms were always hypo. Weight gain, water retention, dry skin, anemia are my biggest symptoms now.