Ongoing rash

[Sylvia22]

Still got rash on back of my arms. Been 3 months now. Been to doctors 3 times they don't really know what it is. Any thoughts. Used to get similar on ankles and feet. Don't get that very often now.

[Aurealis]

Heat rash?

[Sylvia22 in reply to Aurealis]

My Doctor says not.

[Aurealis in reply to Sylvia22]

Because he’s identified it as something else?

[Sylvia22 in reply to Aurealis]

No. I have seen two separate Doctors. I have had a reduction in my Levothyroxine. Only a small amount but this started shortly after

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Sylvia22]

Sylvia22

"I have had a reduction in my Levothyroxine. Only a small amount but this started shortly after"

Have you had a change of brand?

[Sylvia22 in reply to SeasideSusie]

No Just slightly less from 125 to 112.5

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Are you on strictly gluten free diet as you have Hashimoto's?

If not it could be gluten

As you had dose reduced you need FULL testing or have you got recent results to add?

You need TSH, FT4, FT3 plus TPO and TG thyroid antibodies and also very important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12

Private tests are available. Thousands on here forced to do this as NHS often refuses to test FT3 or antibodies

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/testin...

Medichecks Thyroid plus ultra vitamin or Blue Horizon Thyroid plus eleven are the most popular choice. DIY finger prick test or option to pay extra for private blood draw. Both companies often have money off offers.

All thyroid tests should ideally be done as early as possible in morning and fasting. When on Levothyroxine, take last dose 24 hours prior to test, and take next dose straight after test. This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip, GP will be unaware)

Why was Levothyroxine dose reduced? Do you have results from before reduction. If so add them to

[Sylvia22 in reply to SlowDragon]

I just know that they will take no notice of what I say. Have tried and tried to argue my case but they will not budge

[Aurealis]

‘I have had a reduction in my levothyroxine .... this started shortly after’

I don’t know what caused your rash but in your situation I would be testing the hypothesis that the reduction in dose has caused your rash - by increasing back up to previous dose. Take photos of the rash first so you can compare back. I know someone whose hypothyroidism was diagnosed by a dermatologist following referral from a GP who didn’t know what sort of rash they had.

There’s no such thing as a small reduction in my opinion - unless you do it yourself!

[Sylvia22 in reply to Aurealis]

Thanks. Makes me annoyed as I had reasonable health before dose reduction . endo said because my TSH was very low and I am 74 the risks to my heart and bones was too great.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Sylvia22]

They trot that out like a parrot about heart and bones, yet have little proof

Dr Toft, past president of the British Thyroid Association and leading endocrinologist, states in Pulse Magazine,

"The appropriate dose of levothyroxine is that which restores euthyroidism and serum TSH to the lower part of the reference range - 0.2-0.5mU/l.

In this case, free thyroxine is likely to be in the upper part of its reference range or even slightly elevated – 18-22pmol/l.

Most patients will feel well in that circumstance. But some need a higher dose of levothyroxine to suppress serum TSH and then the serum-free T4 concentration will be elevated at around 24-28pmol/l.

This 'exogenous subclinical hyperthyroidism' is not dangerous as long as serum T3 is unequivocally normal – that is, serum total around T3 1.7nmol/l (reference range 1.0-2.2nmol/l)."

You can obtain a copy of the articles from Thyroid UK email print it and highlight question 6 to show your doctor

 please email Dionne at

[e-mail]

Professor Toft recent article saying, T3 may be necessary for many otherwise we need high FT4 and suppressed TSH in order to have high enough FT3

rcpe.ac.uk/sites/default/fi...

Getting full private testing is next step to see where your FT3 is

[Aurealis]

Heart and bones are important but they are nothing as compared to the brain ... if I’ve got to choose ... but we know that our bones and heart also benefit from correct dosage. You know I’ve spent a generation adjusting for my brain and body in preference to their blessed tests and so far my bones and heart are fine. When you adjust yourself and show them how you’ve improved they usually cave in - if not what are they going to do? Not prescribe anything? Good luck x