Underactive thyroid, itching and tingling .

[Gelliott]

I have an underactive thyroid for several years and for a couple of months now have realised my skin is getting more sensitive especially in the morning. My hands especially tingle and itch and my feet also can get bad. It can occur random places on my body too.

A couple of weeks ago it was so bad, my head was driving me mad scratching my scalp. As I was away on holiday in Spain I went to pharmacy who gave me antihistamine for 7 days. The relief was amazing and I was at peace. Now without the antihistamine it is back. Hoping I can get a doctors appointment on my return to England, not so easy these days to see an actual doctor.

Anyone else had this problem or can shed some light on it. Forgot to say apart from that I am feeling fine on my 75 mcgs of levothyroxine one day and 100mcgs the next as prescribed.

[Itchy-over_it]

Hello. I was jumping out of my skin(scalp and upper arms especially). Turns out, France, where I live, had changed their Synthroid (inept ingredients) due to numerous allergies a while back. No one told me. It turned out that I am allergic to the new, supposedly hypo-allergenic formulation and not so much the old. I have just emerged from two years of hell and itching and heart flushes and craziness -- only to have my dear Dr friend tell me to stop taking the pill and all my itching went away ! The sad part is, I travel a lot, didn't follow my TSH and was in hyper for 2 years triggered by iodine in contrast CT and Angio testing as well as being allergic to meds (the new formula) . I now have some permanent damage to my Aorta and Carotid arteries and Lupus which is hopefully localised to my scalp. PLEASE PLEASE get TSH, push for answers with Endo and perhaps Autoimmune Specialist. I wish you well. Mimi

[Gelliott in reply to Itchy-over_it]

Oh my goodness Mimi you have been through the wars. Makes my complaint seem so trivial.

I have noticed that I get given different brands of levo by pharmacist and wondering if fillers may be the problem. Definitely seeking a doctors appointment on return. Thank you for sharing your experience. Hope you're in better form now.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Do you always have same brand of Levothyroxine?

Many people find Levothyroxine brands are not interchangeable.

Different fillers can be the problem. Often acacia powder upsets people

Once you find a brand that suits you, best to make sure to only get that one at each prescription. Watch out for brand change when dose is increased or at repeat prescription.

Many patients do NOT get on well with Teva brand of Levothyroxine. Though it is the only one for lactose intolerant patients

When you see your GP ask that vitamin D, folate, B12 and ferritin are tested

Low B12/folate can cause tingling

Very common to have low vitamin levels when on Levothyroxine

Also perhaps get Thyroid retested too, especially if brand changed

All thyroid blood tests should ideally be done as early as possible in morning and fasting. Do not take Levothyroxine dose in the 24 hours prior to test, delay and take immediately after blood draw. This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip, best not mentioned to GP or phlebotomist)

Come back with new post once you have results and ranges

[Gelliott in reply to SlowDragon]

Thanks for your reply SlowDragon.

I have followed your advice before on ensuring early morning testing prior to eating and 24hrs of non medicating. Also read your advice on the other blood tests. I get tested for Vit D as have previously been on meds for Osteoporosis and now having a two year break. However, never been offered ferritin, folate and B12 test, so I think that's a good starting point with the GP.

I also supplement with selenium, although not having been tested, and have read in other posts that this can cause itching if you already have sufficient selenium.

Thanks for your help SlowDragon, love this site

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Gelliott]

What was your vitamin D result?

Do you supplement magnesium too?

betterbones.com/bone-nutrit...

articles.mercola.com/sites/...

healthy-holistic-living.com...

articles.mercola.com/sites/...


betterbones.com/bone-nutrit...

Do NOT supplement any vitamin K if you take any blood thinning medication including aspirin

drsinatra.com/vitamin-k2-su...

Vitamin C and bones

healthimpactnews.com/2018/d...

You might consider testing selenium privately via Medichecks or Blue Horizon. See if GP will run full Thyroid and vitamin testing first.