[46F] Experiencing leg swelling, extreme fatigue, and chest pressure

What might be happening

Based on the information you have provided, possible diagnoses include:

• Congestive Heart Failure: This condition occurs when your heart doesn't pump blood as well as it should. Symptoms can include swelling in your legs, fatigue, and chest pressure.

  • Treatment typically involves medications, lifestyle changes, and sometimes procedures or surgery.

• Hypothyroidism: Given your history of Hashimoto's Thyroiditis, an underactive thyroid could also explain your symptoms of fatigue and swelling.

  • Treatment typically involves daily use of the synthetic thyroid hormone levothyroxine, which you are already taking.

• Venous Insufficiency: This condition occurs when your leg veins don't allow blood to flow back up to your heart. Symptoms can include leg swelling and fatigue.

  • Treatment typically involves lifestyle changes, such as exercise and elevation of the legs.

What you can do

It would be best to consult a doctor about your symptoms so that they can provide a formal assessment and order relevant tests if necessary. In the meantime, you can try the following to relieve your symptoms:

1. Elevate your legs whenever possible, especially when lying down.
2. Try to stay active and move around regularly to promote blood flow.
3. Monitor your symptoms and note any changes or patterns.

What you should look out for

Reasons to seek immediate medical attention:

• If your chest pressure worsens or is accompanied by shortness of breath, nausea, or dizziness.
• If your leg swelling worsens or is accompanied by redness, warmth, or pain.
• If your fatigue worsens or is accompanied by other new symptoms.

Please remember, this advice is intended to be general in nature, and specific causes may not apply to your situation. Always consult with a healthcare provider for appropriate examination, testing, and care recommendations.