Bruises on legs

[quratulainib]

Hello All,
I am a patient of hypothyroidism, my levels are within range for a while now. I recenlty noticed two bruises, one on each leg. I got CBC, LFT and Blood culture done to test whats wrong.

My hemoglobin has dropped from 12 to 10.6, RBC and platelets have also decreased but still within normal range. WBC has increased a bit but still within normal range. In LFT bilrubin direct is slightly higher than the normal range.

I started taking folic acid twice a day and the bruises I had previously healed within 2 to 3 days. I again have two new yellowish bruises, one on each thigh. I have had pain in my neck, shoulders and right arm. Need help in identifying whats wrong.

Looking forward to your response.

[quratulainib]

Thank you for your response. I have gained 5 to 7 kgs of weight within 1.5 months. My face looks swollen, at all times one of my muscles are strained. I constantly have muscular pain. Have missed my periods (I have PCOS as well).
How can I identify optimal level of thyroid?

[Barb135]

Do you have copies of your current/recent thyroid labs?  If so, it would be most helpful if you could post those results (with reference ranges), as you have quite a few symptoms that are commonly associated with hypothyroidism.  This tells me that although your thyroid levels may be in the normal ranges, it appears that they're far from optimal.

Hypothyroidism can also affect menstrual cycles, plus hypothyroidism and PCOS often go hand in hand.  They do share some symptoms, such as weight gain/trouble controlling weight because blood glucose control is involved with PCOS, but it would be a lot easier if thyroid levels were under control.   Do you take any medication for your PCOS?

You'll know when you're at the optimal level of thyroid hormones, because all those hypo symptoms will be gone and you'll feel like a normal person again.  :-)

[Barb135]

Since this is a thyroid disorders community, we'll start there.  You said your thyroid hormone levels are within the normal ranges, so I guess the next thing to determine is whether or not, they're "optimal" - there's a difference between normal and optimal because we all have a certain place at which we feel best.  

So let's start by having you tell us whether you have any symptoms of being hypo, such as the usual weight gain, constipation, fatigue, hair loss, muscle aches/pains, facial swelling/puffiness or others that you might be familiar with.  

Also, if you have copies of recent thyroid labs (your doctor should be ordering Free T4, Free T3 and TSH on a regular basis), please post those results for us and be sure to include reference ranges, which vary from lab to lab so have to come from your own reports.  

It would also be good to know if you've been tested for Vitamin B-12, Vitamin D and ferritin.   All of these are necessary for proper metabolism of thyroid hormones "and" Vitamin B-12 deficiency can cause easy bruising.  Folate deficiency and B-12 deficiency often go hand in hand and one can cover up the other.

That should be enough to start with and could be a good share of your problem.