Suggest Treatment For Excessive Swelling In Legs

Posted on Sun, 9 Oct 2016

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Sun, 9 Oct 2016 Answered on

Tue, 25 Oct 2016 Last reviewed on

Question : I have chronic swelling in both legs from my knees to my toes. We have ruled out any vascular problem with a sonogram. If I am on my feet for just a few hours the swelling occurs. This started to happen after my thyroid was removed due to hyperthyroidism. A doppler was done and no clotting was found. The swelling was intermittent No cancer was detected. I had 2 subsequent shoulder surgeries. One in March 2016 and one in XXXXXXX 2016. Since then the swelling has become chronis. I wear compression stockings and elevate my legs to get the swelling down but my legs have never returned to normal. Any ideas on what could be causing this? Any medication I take now was taken before the thyroid surgery so I don't think it is medicated related.

Answered by Dr. Ilir Sharka (30 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
I would explain as follows:

Detailed Answer:
Hello!

Thank you for asking on HCM!

I carefully passed through your question and reviewed your uploaded tests and would explain that chronic venous insufficiency has been excluded.

Coming to this point, I would recommend performing further test to investigate for possible fluid retention:

- a cardiac ultrasound and NT-proBNP to examine your heart structure and function and exclude possible heart failure
- kidney and liver function tests to exclude possible liver or kidney disorders.
- an urine analysis
- blood osmolarity
- fasting glucose and HbA1C for diabetes.

Besides the compression stocking and avoiding standing up position, I would recommend starting a diuretic like furasemid to help you with the leg swelling.

You should discuss with your doctor on the above issues.

Hope to have been helpful!

Kind regards,

Dr. Iliri

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar