Have you been consuming larger amounts of salty foods recently? Or anything else that might not be thyroid-friendly?

That's the first thing I thought of only because I ate a salty restaurant meal recently and had the same experience.

And, if you recently had a dose adjustment, these could be adjusting symptoms ...unfortunately.

I don't think I have eaten anything really salty, but thanks. I thought it might be adjustment to meds too, but it's been 3 weeks with the adjustment, so I'm not sure. I've also started having headaches everyday too, I was running a fever yesterday and slept most of the day. I'm wondering if It's just a bug or something. I made an appointment with a doctor in two weeks, so we'll see if it lasts that long or not. My endo told me it's not med related and said I need to see a nuerologist. I think she is full of it, but we'll see when I go to this new doctor!

Well, your endo is correct it's not "med-related".....if you're not sick, it could be related to moving thyroid levels.

Yes, the dose change got things rolling but, we don't experience side effects from the meds - we experience symptoms associated with changes in thyroid levels.

It's a subtle difference but, doctors don't seem to be aware of just what what we go through during the dose adjustment process.

Yes, they have their textbook symptoms lists but, I know my doctor looked at me like I had two heads when I shared some symptoms with her sometimes.

Moving thyroid hormone levels just don't feel good and I think only those who deal with it can understand this.

I sure hope you feel better!

Thanks, that does make sense. I'm hoping they go away soon. And I just feel so tired still too, I'm hoping that goes away too, but if I do have an infection in my kidneys or whatever then that could be another reason why I am so tired. We'll see what this new pcp says. I just hated that I have to wait to get in.

I got on the Meds 3 days ago and I've noticed the hands swell also . And my lower feet too. I was really wondering what is this ? I feel like I am swealing up in my belly and kind of, sort of feel like my appetite is increasing ? I don't want to gain anymore weight, I've had excess weight from before :((( Anyone had these symptoms ? I am on 0.025MG . Thank you.

I got on the Meds 3 days ago and I've noticed the hands swell also . And my lower feet too. I was really wondering what is this ? I feel like I am swealing up in my belly and kind of, sort of feel like my appetite is increasing ? I don't want to gain anymore weight, I've had excess weight from before :((( Anyone had these symptoms ? I am on 0.025MG . Thank you.

I am on 25 mcg levo for about 2 weeks now. I noticed yesterday that my feet may be a bit swollen and my fingers a little as well. I've also had bad headaches for a few days. Felt a little sick to my stomach yesterday too. I felt like I was running a fever, but my husband said I felt fine. I didn't think about it being my thyroid.

Wow, all you guys are having the same things as me. I've been having headaches the switch back and forth to migrains for like a week and a half. I was running a low fever off and on last week, and my husband said I felt fine too. I almost have been going to the hospital because I thought there was something wrong with my brain or something. But I gues it's just thyroid stuff. I'm on 30mg of Armour and then twice a week I take an extra 15mg of it (per doctors orders). I've been gaining about 5 pounds a month, but I was told it was from the elavil I take, I'm going to be weaning off that next month to see if my thyroid med can fix my other problems. I have also noticed my belly swelling as well. I wonder if it's just inflammation though. It amazes me how much your thyroid is in control of so much. I hope we can figure this out.

Looking back, I can see so many symptoms that I never thought were related to my thyroid that manifested. I'm wondering if I should just wait for my next checkup or if I should give them a call. I've only been on the medication for a little over two weeks, but I've also had new symptoms.

vanillabear

I wasn't aware of the dosing regimen your doctor ordered. I know I wouldn't feel good with that at all.

Armour is not Synthroid/levothyroxine (T4 only) which has a long half-life. T4 can be taken in reasonable alternating doses and the patient is no worse for the wear.

15mg Armour has 2.25mcg T3 in it. T3 is relatively short-acting... and any dose of T3 we take is usually used up within 12-16 hours.

So, on the days, you are taking an extra 15mg, you're getting 2.25mcg more T3 than on the days you're not taking the extra 15mg.

Your doctor's dosing regimen is causing your thyroid hormone levels to fluctuate....this just doesn't feel good.

So, not only are you dealing with the usual symptoms one would have after a dose adjustment, you are getting a double whammy with that dosing regimen.

((hugs))

katieem

Some doctors start the patient on 25mcg with instructions to increase to 50mcg after two weeks.

This is usually the only time the dose is adjusted like that.

Our bodies can't handle too much hormone at any given time. It takes a full 6 wks. for the body to adjust to new levels of hormone.

And, as we adjust to new levels of hormone, we can have a worsening of symptoms, possible improvement of symptoms or development of new symptoms. It's not fun but, necessary steps on the path to wellness.

The best we can do is get labs every 6 wks. and push the doctor for dose adjustments until our levels are similar to the types of levels healthy people have: FreeT4/T3 in the upper half/upper third of the range.

If you're not doing this already, I suggest that you maintain hard copies of your thyroid labs and learn how to interpret them (it's easy and I'll gladly show you how).

I also suggest that you maintain a journal that notes any symptoms you are having at the time of your labs.

These two things will help you identify your optimal levels.

Optimal levels = no thyroid symptoms.

With the exception of the need for two minor dose adjustments, I've been stable at my optimal levels for almost a year.....it's awesome.

I wish the same for everyone.

((hugs))

Thank you for the information! My dose won't be adjusted until my 6 week check up, if at all. I will keep track of my symptoms until then!

Hi I am new here but am not new to Thryoid problems. My OBGYN diagnosed it 7 years ago. Started out at 25mcg and increased over the years to 175mcg OMG. During this time I had pain in my hands and noticed swelling by my knuckles. It got so bad that I couldn't hold onto anything such as a coffee cup in the morning. I scheduled a Orthopedic apt one in which he wanted to FIX my hands with double carpal tunnel surgery. I let my family doctor know this and that is when I said heck with this I am going to a Endocrinologist. My new doctor told me not to go forward with the double surgery until bloodwork came back and my levels of thyroid were stabilized. Every time my level goes beserk my hand symptoms return. Swelling, achy hands and twitching in my fingers. Level gets adjusted correctly and it all goes away.

I hope that this helps anyone suffering from swelling symptoms

Have you all considered that some of these symptoms might be related to menopause? I get hot and clammy all the time. Sometimes my husband says I am warm and other times he says I am cool. I tried estrogen and it seemed to help.

Big mama is right, when my levels change I get a swelling feeling in my hands and feeling like things are too tight. you can't see it but when I was put on too much levo at first I got this. Going up slowly in the dose is better. A lot of us who are hypo have carpal tunnel symptoms too which get better when levels are 'right" for us.I'm on Armour now and it seems gentler to me. I had weird symptoms the first 2 weeks too but they got better in the 3rd week as I went up little by little in the dose.Sometimes as cd said though, you can get worse before better, try not to change the dose too much at first or go up too much in the dose. 12.5 is better than jumping to 50 ahead. The same with Armour, work up to the dose, it's easier on your system.