itchy!

[postie1960]

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

[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 in reply to Clutter]

don't they all contain the same stuff?

[Clutter in reply to postie1960]

Postie1960,

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

[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 in reply to Serendipity_28]

Serendipity_28 see my reply to postie1960

[shaws Administrator in reply to Serendipity_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]

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 in reply to lucylocks]

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

[lucylocks in reply to Serendipity_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 in reply to lucylocks]

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

[lucylocks in reply to Serendipity_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 in reply to lucylocks]

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

[lucylocks in reply to postie1960]

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]

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 in reply to Ellie-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 in reply to lucylocks]

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

[lucylocks in reply to Ellie-Louise]

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