Pitting Edema - 28 yrs old

[Exhausted1984]

This problem has been on and off for probably longer than 6 months.  But over the past month it has remained to varying degrees.  The fluid is predominantly in my left leg with just a little in the right.  You can press dents in my ankles and chins.  My calves are tight quite often to the point they ache when I walk.  Some days are worse than others.  I finally decided to visit a doctor yesterday and all she did was some blood work to determine if it was due to a thyroid problem or diabetes.  The lab work came back perfectly normal.  I was reading online about heart and kidney problems, neither of which she tested or even mentioned.  They called, told me the results of the lab work, and just said come back if it continues.  I'm a bit concerned as I read the side-effects of using diuretics.  What should I do?  Could just being on your feet a lot cause the edema?  I work at a job where I'm standing 6-8 hours per day.

[Red_Star]

That didn't post well. I'll try again :)

Rapid pitting recovery under 40 seconds - hypoalbuminemia:

• Impaired protein synthesis
– protein intake: starvation, kwashiokor
– absorption of proteins: malabsorption
– hepatic synthesis due to liver disease

• Increased loss of protein
– Skin loss:  burns, weeping skin diseases
– Urinary loss:  nephrotic syndrome
– Fecal loss:  bowel disease

Slow pitting time over 40 seconds - normoalbuminemic edema:

•Systemic venous hypertension
– Congestive heart failure
– Pericardial diseases, tricuspid valve disease

•Regional venous hypertension
– Inferior vena cava syndrome
– Venous thrombosis
– Lower extremity venous insufficiency

excerpt from Edema - Brad Anawalt, MDVA Puget Sound University of Washington

[Red_Star]

Rapid pitting recovery:  40 seconds) - normoalbuminemic edema

• Systemic venous hypertension
– Congestive heart failure
– Pericardial diseases, tricuspid valve disease

• Regional venous hypertension
– Inferior vena cava syndrome
– Venous thrombosis
– Lower extremity venous insufficiency

excerpt from Edema - Brad Anawalt, MDVA Puget Sound University of Washington