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What Could Cause Swelling In The Left Leg And Foot, Slight Chest Pain And Heart Palpitations When Diagnosed With An Under-active Thyroid?
Question: Hi I'm a 58 yr old female who had extremely good health until last August when a blood test showed very underactive thyroid. Complete shock as I hadn't seen a GP for six years before this. This was followed by a diagnose of angina following an ECG after I said I was having little chest pains and racing heart and found climbing the stairs in work very difficult. I'm taking betablockers and a statin and now another pill for high bp and awaiting result of an angiogram. My problem is that my lower legs and feet especially on my left side keep swelling up but I don't know whether to bother my doctor
Brief Answer:
I would explain as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
I passed carefully through your question and would explain that your symptoms could be related to different possible causes:
- increased fluid retention (possible heart failure, kidney or liver dysfunction)
- drugs adverse effects. I would like to know the name of the anti-hypertensive drugs that you are using. You should know that calcium channel blockers can lead to leg swelling as a common adverse effect.
- chronic venous insufficiency. Are the swollen legs related to standing up position?
- arthritis. Do you have joint pain? This would be indicative of arthritis or inflammation.
Coming to this point, I would recommend consulting with your doctor for a physical exam and some tests:
- a cardiac ultrasound
- a chest X ray study
- complete blood count
- blood electrolytes
- kidney and liver function tests
- PCR for inflammation
- a Doppler ultrasound of the leg vessels may be needed in case of suspicions on possible chronic venous insufficiency.
Hope you will find this answer helpful!
I remain at your disposal for any further questions whenever you need!
Kind regards,
Dr. Iliri
I would explain as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
I passed carefully through your question and would explain that your symptoms could be related to different possible causes:
- increased fluid retention (possible heart failure, kidney or liver dysfunction)
- drugs adverse effects. I would like to know the name of the anti-hypertensive drugs that you are using. You should know that calcium channel blockers can lead to leg swelling as a common adverse effect.
- chronic venous insufficiency. Are the swollen legs related to standing up position?
- arthritis. Do you have joint pain? This would be indicative of arthritis or inflammation.
Coming to this point, I would recommend consulting with your doctor for a physical exam and some tests:
- a cardiac ultrasound
- a chest X ray study
- complete blood count
- blood electrolytes
- kidney and liver function tests
- PCR for inflammation
- a Doppler ultrasound of the leg vessels may be needed in case of suspicions on possible chronic venous insufficiency.
Hope you will find this answer helpful!
I remain at your disposal for any further questions whenever you need!
Kind regards,
Dr. Iliri
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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