Eltroxin

[Oudh]

I was diagnosed with under active thyroid 6 weeks ago. Have been on Eltroxin 25 micrograms for 1 month and now 10 days on 50 micrograms. Have been getting an irritating itchy spots/rash all over in patches and pains in my arms and shoulders. Is this common with anyone else? Have decided not to take the meds anymore until I can see GP.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Is the 50mcg Levothyroxine a different brand from 25mcg?

Extremely common for many patients to react to fillers in some brands, especially Teva

Trying a different brand is next step

Ask GP to test thyroid antibodies and vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 too

If not already been done

Vast majority of hypothyroidism is due to autoimmune thyroid disease (Hashimoto's)? diagnosed by high thyroid antibodies. Low vitamins are especially common with Hashimoto's

Gluten intolerance common too, even with no obvious symptoms

Itchy spots can indicate coeliac disease

nhs.uk/conditions/coeliac-d...

Ask for coeliac blood test

Or it can be hives (urticaria) also linked to Hashimoto's

verywellhealth.com/thyroid-...

Hashimoto's affects the gut and leads to low stomach acid and then low vitamin levels. Low vitamin levels affect Thyroid hormone working

Poor gut function can lead leaky gut (literally holes in gut wall) this can cause food intolerances. Most common by far is gluten.

According to Izabella Wentz the Thyroid Pharmacist approx 5% with Hashimoto's are coeliac, but over 80% find gluten free diet helps, sometimes significantly. Either due to direct gluten intolerance (no test available) or due to leaky gut and gluten causing molecular mimicry (see Amy Myers link)

Changing to a strictly gluten free diet may help reduce symptoms, help gut heal and slowly lower TPO antibodies

amymyersmd.com/2017/02/3-im...

chriskresser.com/the-gluten...

thyroidpharmacist.com/artic...

scdlifestyle.com/2014/08/th...

drknews.com/changing-your-d...

thyroidpharmacist.com/artic...

But don't be surprised that GP mentions gut, gluten or low vitamins. Hashimoto's gut connection is very poorly understood