For a long time I have had a red area on my neck, pretty much where I think my thyroid is (kind of up my neck a bit and across my collar bone slightly). It's not a tiny area, and quite noticeable.
I have hashimotos and multinodular goitre (altho didn't know that until saw new endo!)
Is this common? And anyone know what causes it?
I would ask my GP but that'd be a waste of time.....
I've read that a darker ring around the neck can have something to do with a diabetic problem, though.
Really? Oh, will do some reading. Thanks. I know my fasting glucose has been high (on what I'm worried is a pre diabetic level), but the GP has dismissed it twice. I've PCOS too which also has links to diabetes.
Hi Penny-babe
I have a very noticeable red pigmentation mark on my neck that sits each side of my thyroid gland, it mimics the butterfly shape of the thyroid gland! It has been there two years or more now, and never goes away. I have hashimotos and on 125mg levothyroxine. I ask my GP once what it was, she said she didn't know! some help!
I would be very interested if you find out what these marks are. Good luck x
Hi, I also have exactly what you're describing with the red pigmentation mimicking my thyroid. Have you found out anything about your condition or anything that has improved it? My neck feels uncomfortably tight sometimes too. I went to an ENT Dr who did an ultrasound and he found 2 very small nodules but said didn't look like anything serious and to come back in a year. I am 53. I feel ok and my energy is good other than I can't stand the tightness. I've been taking Armour for years. What thyroid medicine are you taking?
Please... thoughts from anyone?
Hi, I am an avid forum reader, although not contributed yet, but really feel compelled to answer this. I also have this red neck thing in thyroid area which started about the same time as under-active diagnosis 2010 and has got progressively worse - to the extent that I have to put foundation on it now each day for work (I dont even wear this on my face!). Anyway, I went to GP about this in 2011, she had no idea and suggested changing fom Levo to Eltroxin (I take 100mcg daily) as could be the fillers? I did change but it had no impact on the rash at all. Interestingly I notice my sister - who was over & has RAI in 1998 and takes 150mcg also has a similar rash coming ??? Hate thyroid problems 
I too have had a red neck since taking Levo - the area always feels painful (without touching) and my skin has gone kind of wrinkly too. I've mentioned it to GP but it didn't seem to merit a response.
I'll be trying to get his opinion next time - and will be interested to hear how others get on. I'm trying to be patient with the effects of Levo and hoping they will go when I'm on the right dose - but it seems cruel to have to feel worse in various ways before you can feel better. Before Levo I was ill but felt 'myself' - now I feel like a zombie.
On that cheerful note...!
Thanks for the replies. I'm glad it isn't just me!
Mine doesn't hurt, unless I sit rubbing it like I just did to find out if it hurt. D'oh!
I've been on thyroxine since 1995, but only noticed this really in the last several months. It seems to be getting darker now. I'm trying to get a referral back to my Endo, so will wait and ask him. Pretty sure it wasn't there last time I saw him.
We all seem to have pretty similar stories about this tho, so there must be something in it 
I have had the red mark for as long as I can remember, I had thyroiditis once about 5 years ago, but it got better and I have recently had bumps that needed biopsies.. All test came back normal so I am not or ever have been on any meds for my thyroid. Would love to know the cause.
Hopefully I'll be able to find out soon. I'm just waiting for my GP to stop making excuses and give me a referral back to my Endo.
My red neck has got a lot more noticeable lately to the point where I try and keep it covered as it's making me self conscious.
Hi there! Strangely enough, I didn't see this post before I put mine quite recently on the same forum. I'm not under any medication,"just" have goitre but now I noticed that when I wake up I have quite a large reddish area around my thyroid. One of my GPS told me that I might be allergic to my necklaces but I've had them for years. Have you found out what your red skin means? My patch tends to disappear some time after I get up.
Wow, I didn't realise how many people suffered from this 'red neck syndrome'! My thyroid problems have been dismissed as "what do you expect during the menopause?" but I could really do without looking at if the bottom of my throat has been scalded it's not hot or itchy and, like a poster above, only gets sore when I start poking my neck :/ Has anyone discovered what this redness is yet? This is the 5th forum I've come across, so far, about this and can't understand if it's so common why nobody can tell us what it is.
On a funny note: it's the thyroid telling us, in case we forget, this is where it's hiding while trying its best not to create problems!!
Haven't found any normal explanation!
Hi there. I think I've found what is causing this. It's called "poikiloderma of civatte". Google that and see if it fits what you're going through. It's caused by over exposure to the sun, fair skin, and inflammation, which we suffer from with our auto immune disease. Unfortunately, there are not a lot of remedies, although I read that following an alkaline diet seems to help. (Note: The medical community denounces the alkaline diet, but I'm going to try it and see if it works! You have to give up junk food and dairy and I'm all for that.) From what I've read, trying to find alternative therapies would be the way to go. Some of the medical therapies include costly laser therapy that doesn't really seem to work. I hope this helps some of you! I've been at my wits end trying to figure this out and even had a biopsy done on my neck. I haven't gotten the results yet, but if they say it's not "poik", I'll be shocked.
I have it badly especially when I eat and then sometimes have seizure like symptoms that dissipate after about 45 minutes, I also started having panic attacks as well its enough to drive you crazy.
I'm having the problem too!
I stopped being told my neck is read in the morning as I forget to look at it so early on. Is yours red all day long?
Mine stays red pretty much all day long. It used to just be red but but didn't hurt. Now it's red and hurts or feels tight all day. I'm on Armour Thyroid already but have an appointment coming up with an Endocrinologist.
So ready to get some relief. 🙏🏼
I just had a conversation about Levothyroxine versus synthroid because I am having an allergic reaction to something and I am trying to figure out if it is a medication that I am on. My GP said people are rarely allergic to synthroid. I corrected her and said no, I am on the generic, she replied that it is then possible because the store that I am getting the drug from may get it from different suppliers who might use different fillers. So since I am allergic to sulfite, I could be allergic, causing the redness to appear. Sometimes it is itchy or like pins pinching me. I have to change medication to try to figure it out.
I take tirosint as it doesn't have anything in it but pure levothyroxine to prevent allergy attacks, have your doctor change it for you but its pure so they have to reassess how much you need to take, as opposed to the other kind, some of the tablets are made from tea tree nuts which is cray for people with nut allergies and lots of doctors aren't aware of fillers when they prescribe medicine, look for your medicine and find inactive ingredients in it what the fillers are in it,
I also have hypothyroid, and am taking levothyroxine. I also have the red neck issue, but mine started before I found out about my thyroid issue, and before I started meds. I am thinkning it is a symptom of low thyroid rather than the medication. It has been a year, and my GP still hasn't gotten my TSH levels correct.
it is a symptom of it
I've a red rash all around my neck the only thing that's clear is my thyroid area. I've often thought it was a shaving rash but even if grow a beard it does not change. Not itch or discomfort just looks like I've scalded my neck !
I have an overactive thyroid, the rash appeared before I was diagnosed 5 years ago
I'm having the same problem and am hypothyroid. I used to take levothyroxine but have switched to Armour several years ago now. I don't remember if the redness was there before or not, but it is so red that people often ask what happened. No pain, no goiter that I know of, just the large red area that seems kind of bumpy. Seems worse during the day but is really bad if I have a hot flash. Also get super red face at the slightest exertion. Really feel like it has to be thyroid but am also menopausal. Wish someone had some answers.
I started having the same thing years ago and it has to do with the thyroid. its not just you
Hi all, I've been taking Levo (100 mcg) for YEARS and I just noticed this red spot on my neck today. I searched and found this forum. Mine looks like rash... an area about the size of a large watch face, and it's warm to touch, but doesn't itch. Like all of you, I'm very curious and a bit concerned. Let's stay in touch and see if we can get an answer! Thanks so much.
I get the same thing.
Oh boy!
I also have the butterfly shaped redness to my neck and was avidly reading every response hoping for an answer......but alas to no avail.
I was at the respritory clinic yesterday and the consultant noticed it and I told her that my goitre has also got larer since being prescribed levo and has referred me to the Endo. Having never seen one befor I am a little nervous of what she is likely to say/do. Any advice would be greatfully appreciated.
Thank you in advance.
Kind regards
Maud
I was diagnosed in 2003 with hashimoto's thyroid disease. In 2013 it was discovered I had multiple nodules that were creating a mock thyroxine that made all my levels t3 t4 and TSH seem low to normal and stopped my levothyroxine. Since I've gone through so many different things from emotional, fatigue, skin issues, red butterfly shaped red skin over thyroid, sleep issues, and numerous others. I was also diagnosed in 2006 with genetic hemachromitosis which really put a halt on Dr's wanting to treat me so I've read and read. I now take magnesium, vitamin e, and calcium at night and I just started taking iodine and green tea extract supplements. I'm starting to notice big changes with the emotional anxieties.
Helo Marciedoats 👋 I was searching with a reference to a red butterfly area on my neck. I have also been diagnosed with hemeochromotosis 2021. So thought I get in touch to compare symptoms. I hope your feeling not too bad .
I am 56 years and had radio iodine in 2009. I take levothyroxine the levels change yearly, I have struggled to get doctors to listen. I have started venesection which takes a bit to get used to but generally feel lonely with so many problems. The last thing you want is to be down a d worrying for your family. It would be nice to keep in touch.
There must be someone out there who knows. I have all the symptoms of a fluctuating thyroid ( I suppose that is hashimoto's) but diagnosed with Chronic fatigue syndrome. I too have a mottled rash like band on my neck that goes right across my "butterfly" thyroid area. So, I wonder if people with cfs get that too. So peed off with no believable answers and a confusing diagnosis. 😑
I've had the same thing since before I had my thyroid out due to cancer and have had i since the removal mine sows up after I eat too. I'm practically starving because so many foods cause a reaction that has also led to seizure like symptoms being caused by a panic attack as well. It's not just you.
I have the same red rash in my neck, dry, coarse, fury red wrinkly skin and a spot in the middle that is unaffected. However, after 6 weeks it is starting to fade. It started the redness after I lowered my dose of Armour from 60 to 45. I had a buzzing trembling feeling around my heart area, so I was worried my thyroid medication was too high. After I lowered my dose the feeling around my heart went away almost completely and my neck rash came in fury red. I think the change of medication caused it, my thyroid having to work harder again. The skin on my hands is also dryer now. With the rash now fading, I hope my thyroid is balancing meds and it will go away completely. My doctor had never seen it, but good to know there are more people who have this. Hopefully by sharing we can figure out a clear cause for this.
well it's not just you. I have the same thing, none of my doctors either have had a clue either, so hang in there and know that it is being caused by a thyroid issue of some sort,
New to the forum and haven’t been diagnosed with any thyroid issues yet. About a month ago, I develop a red, itchy mark in my neck in the shape of and directly over my thyroid. I applied hydrocortisone cream and the rash clear but will come back after a bit of time. Has anyone used topical creams before? I’m concerned there may be something significant happening that I am unaware of.
have your thyroid checked, mine started like that for several years and doctors ignoring my nodules only to find out I had thyroid cancer and luckily it was caught early enough but barely, so get i checked, ultrasound, or ct scan or even a biopsy, protect yourself.
I have a rash that comes and goes on my neck - almost like tiny hives - it's a little shiny - I know it's related to thyroid, but doctor can't explain it either - sometimes it'll go away for two months then flare regularly - I'm on 225 T3 only (cytomel) yes - a high dose. It's what I need.
SO FRUSTRATED!
don't feel bad it's taken me years to find mine out, its just part of the crazy thyroid stuff and doctors just don't see enough of it to know, I usually just put cold towels on my face to keep the heat down on it, I've had the rashes so long and burned so bad that my skin color has changed, hang in there, it';s not just you.
I know this is quite an old post - but just wondering if anyone has got any answers yet?
I have Hashimotos, got diagnosed about 5 years ago, I'm on Natur Thyroid (or it's called something like that...). Somewhere early on, I noticed a slight red rash over my thyroid - though ironically my left thyroid is swollen and obvious in all my photos, but the right thyroid is the one with the rash. At first I thought I'd just sat there rubbing it at my desk and that was why it looked red, but now it looks much more rash like - a pale red with slightly darker spots. Clearly it's connected to my diagnoses, as so many people have the same symptoms - but wondering if anyone has seen it get better with more meds? Is it a sign that you're being under treated, or is it a sign that you should get a biopsy done? Or is it simply a sign that you have a thyroid issue and it doesn't matter how well treated you are, it's just gonna be there? Luckily it's not too red on me, so that's not a huge deal (though I read below that some have it really red, so hope for your sakes there is a solution!) but would be good to know for sure!
I've had the same thing for years, mine flares all the time. my skin has been burned so much by the severe rashes that my skin has discolored, when you flare just put cold towels on your face until it passes. you'll be ok,
I thought I had a thyroid problem, told doc, she “checked” & said NOPE. Years go by, have this red mottling on my neck and it was very noticeable. Another doc told me it was “roseacea”....all quacks.
Thought I’d read up on it and still thought it could be my thyroid and looked for a “natural” way to see. I came upon iodine, ordered some and after a week began feeling 💯 better—best yet: red mottling began going away. 2 months later: it’s almost not even noticeable.
I DO NOT CONDONE doing what I did, but docs weren’t listening to me so I tried to do BETTER myself. I still need to find a doc to help, but at least I know I’m not a hypochondriac....or wrong. Listen to your body and do your own homework.
Note: you can OD on iodine & it can do damage
Many of you wonder about the "red neck" being associated with thyroid meds. I do not take either armor or synthroid but I have the red neck too. I have been diagnosed Hashimoto's.
Hello! I know this is an old thread but I feel I may be able to shine a light on this! I have sub-clinical thyroiditis. My bloodwork is “normal” but I have extreme hypo symptoms. I recently found out I have the mthfr gene mutation and have trouble with methylation. Taking quercitin before meals has really helped bring down the histamine in my body! This is an annoying red spot. Mostly on my left side where thyroid is but sometimes shows up on the right Too. I feel that it is my thyroid and adrenals working too hard. I feel this way because I struggle with low body temperature and it was also fluctuating greatly. Low body temp is a thyroid issue. And fluctuating temp is an adrenal issue. I had both. But since changing my supplements to meet the needs of the methylation issues, and also adding in low dose naltrexone, daily celery juice and cutting out gluten, I have seen a massive improvement in the spot! I need to mention to that I tested low in glutathione so I have been supplementing 2400 mg NAC per day as well as 1000 mg glutathione. Hope this helps. 💜
Very interesting replies and nice to know I'm not the the only one. The red patch on my neck is more pronounced on one side (right), mirrors the shape of the thyroid gland, and appeared before diagnosis and medication. Indeed, looking at some photos with a quizzical eye, it seems to have started several years before diagnosis. It appears to have lessened since I started thyroxin medication.
I am still being tested, and seem to be settling into hypo, but I almost certainly had thyroiditis because my initial symptoms were hyper. Maybe it is a useful warning sign for some people?
I have the same problem - a red butterfly-shaped blotchy patch over my thyroid area.
Yes, I too have this red mark over the thyroid. It itches.
It fluctutates - sometimes it's there, sometimes not.
It's red, dry, slightly raised. Its skin texture is different from the rest of the neck - a bit rough.
It started two or three years ago when facial skin, and parts of my body and limbs, started to itch like mad and became swollen and raised. This was really bad for about 18 months, and now flares up from time to time.
I learned during that time that I was reacting to wheat [rye as in Ryvita seems to be ok. I don't eat oats or barley); and also to white sugar, yeast, tomatoes, potatoes, red peppers, other peppers like chili and cayenne, mustard.
I don't eat any of those foods now, so the periodic facial itching, which is now much better than when it started, and this itchy, red mark over the throat, remain a mystery.
Is it common to have to change your thyroid medication during summer?
Does anyone else have a aching throat and neck with acid reflux with under active thyroid?
About to have a TT and neck resection for thyroid cancer, living in Italy
Is neck pain normal with hypothyroidism? Help! 🙄
Constant sore throat and feeling like something is stuck in my neck.... can only a slightly inflamed thyroid cause that?
