itchy!: Hi Has anyone ecperienced hives - itchy... - Thyroid UK

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itchy!

postie1960 profile image
17 Replies

Hi Has anyone ecperienced hives - itchy red blobs on skin due to too much levothyroxine? I've just worked out I'm taking too much and we're lowering it but the skin has been really bad. Also, why can't you stop taking it for a while till it goes down?

Thanks

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postie1960
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17 Replies
Clutter profile image
Clutter

Postie1960,

If you stop taking Levothyroxine your thyroid hormones will drop and TSH will rise.

Try taking an antihistamine an hour before you take Levothyroxine. If the hives is relieved it is likely that there is an ingredient in your Levothyroxine tablet which is causing the hives and you should ask your pharmacist to dispense an alternative make. The Levothyroxine makes available in UK are:

Mercury Pharma 25, 50, 100 mcg.

Actavis (aka Almus) 50 & 100 mcg.

Teva 12.5, 50, 75 & 100 mcg.

Wockhardt 25mcg.

postie1960 profile image
postie1960 in reply toClutter

don't they all contain the same stuff?

Clutter profile image
Clutter in reply topostie1960

Postie1960,

They all contain Levothyroxine as the active ingredient but each make uses different ingredients as the fillers.

Serendipity_28 profile image
Serendipity_28

I have also been experiencing this the past week or so.. could this be related to thyroxine, I had e more idea? But they are incredibly itchy

lucylocks profile image
lucylocks in reply toSerendipity_28

Serendipity_28 see my reply to postie1960

shaws profile image
shawsAdministrator in reply toSerendipity_28

A member responded yesterday that she tried the anti-histamine before next dose and she had no itchiness so is asking for a different levo as she is sensitive to something in the one she's been taking.

lucylocks profile image
lucylocks

Hi

I got this a few years ago when my TSH was too high.

I have not had it since until a couple of weeks ago and I have just had my levels tested and yes my TSH has gone up again.

What are your levels like?

Serendipity_28 profile image
Serendipity_28 in reply tolucylocks

Hi, my levels were at 5.4 in november when they uped my tablets to 100mcg.. could this be to high?

lucylocks profile image
lucylocks in reply toSerendipity_28

Is that your TSH level, if so and your are taking 100mcg. og levo. it is way too high. When on thyroid meds. TSH should be one or below.

Serendipity_28 profile image
Serendipity_28 in reply tolucylocks

Yeah it was my TSH, my doctor said this was normal, but could now explain my continuing thyroid symptoms. Thank you.

lucylocks profile image
lucylocks in reply toSerendipity_28

Hi

Your TSH is way too high if on thyroid meds, it even looks as though it maybe over range. I see you have posted on the fibro. site also, fibro is a symptom of hypothyroidism. Unfortunately many Doctors do not know how to treat hypo. correctly.

If you put another post on this forum with all your blood results including ranges and what meds. you are on then members can advise and help you.

Best wishes.

postie1960 profile image
postie1960 in reply tolucylocks

how long did it take to go away once you'd lowered your dose?

lucylocks profile image
lucylocks in reply topostie1960

Hi postie1960

if you are replying to me, I did not reduce my dose I increased it as my TSH was too high and the hives went when I Increased my dose.

What are your thyroid levels and which meds. are you on and how much are you taking?

Also it could also be one of the fillers in the meds. causing it.

Ellie-Louise profile image
Ellie-Louise

That happened to me when I was given Mercury Pharma instead of my usual Activis. MP use acacia as a filler, so I came to the conclusion that it could be that causing the hives after I did research on this site and found it had already been mentioned as being a cause.

I took them back to the chemist, told them what was happening and my prescription was changed to my usual brand. Result: the itching stopped. It is now in my notes that I must be given Activis.

lucylocks profile image
lucylocks in reply toEllie-Louise

Hi,

the acacia in Mercury Pharma gave me nausea and palpitations.

I have read acacia should not be taken by people with hayfever.

Ellie-Louise profile image
Ellie-Louise in reply tolucylocks

That's interesting, I used to have hay fever.

lucylocks profile image
lucylocks in reply toEllie-Louise

Yes I get it also, so now avoid acacia and check all ingredients in my meds.

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