Will increasing my HRT dose cure my itch legs as it did for Caroline Noakes MP.

[N1mble]

I heard the MP Caroline Noakes on Radio 2 last week discussing how she had cured her problem with itching legs that were so bad that she drew blood when scratching them. The cure involved increasing her dose of HRT until the itching stopped.

I use HRT and suffer from the same itchy legs problem for which I have been prescribed steroid cream to control it when it flares up. It stumped my specialist who eventually diagnosed it as a form of eczema. It started 4 years ago with painful and itchy spots all over both legs my upper torso, back, arms and shoulders which was subdued with a powerful dose of steroids but lingers now as itchy inflammation under the skin of both legs.

Has anyone else had this issue and have they cured it with increasing their HRT dose?

I have just had a mild infection of COVID19 which has resulted in another flare up.

I also have hypothyroidism and control this with T3 and T4 medication. I am 76 yrs old. I have been on the thyroid forum for many years but have just joined this blood pressure forum with this my first post.

I welcome your response and support. Thank you.

[Happyrosie]

It might be an idea to ask your pharmacist for his/her advice. But a further thought: I’m the same age as you and was told to come off HRT a long time ago as - at that time anyway - it was not recommended to stay on it for any longer. Again, a chat with your pharmacist might be useful to you. Many UK high street pharmacists do stints at their local hospital and advise hospital docs, they are not just pill counters.

[Cathwynne in reply to Happyrosie]

This is outdated advice. You can stay on HRT for life if needed as it protects against osteoarthritis and a number of different cancers as well as relieving menopause symptoms. HRT is not a cure -all medication though, so I would speak to your pharmacist or Gp about treatment for your eczema.

[Happyrosie in reply to Cathwynne]

I expect you are right about HRT but in my case I developed breast cancer - quite a bit after I’d stopped HRT - and after mastectomy etc etc am on “anti-hormone” pills so HRT an absolute NoNo for me!