Does anyone else get spots appearing on their face with high TSH readings. Just started 150mcg of levo.
Current TSH 80
Current FT4 9.8
Wondering if this is related as never had spots before.
Does anyone else get spots appearing on their face with high TSH readings. Just started 150mcg of levo.
Current TSH 80
Current FT4 9.8
Wondering if this is related as never had spots before.
It can be related, yes. Un/under-treated hypo can cause acne.
Yes I used to get break outs. They were spots but hard and rounder than spots that eventually got a head but just so ugly 😔 I told my GP that this is one of my symptoms specific to me and she said, no I don’t think so you’d probably only relate spots to HYPERthyroidism. It was all I could do not to roll my eyes at her. We had so many ‘arguments’ because of her inane ability to dismiss every goddamn symptom as not relevant.
Have they started you straight on 150 dose? How does it feel?
I was started on 100mcg as my T3 and T4 dropped to zero 3 weeks after radioactive iodine treatment. 4 weeks later it was increased to 150mcg as I was still getting leg pains and feeling generally unwell. In 2 weeks I'll have a further blood test.
Maybe the spots and boils are due to having a compromised immune system... just a thought. I feel a bit better in myself on 150mcg levo but its early days, almost 2 weeks into the dose, so will know better as it settles. Certainly the cramps in my feet and hands have reduced.
I think they arrive because of an overall sluggish system. Despite having Hashi’s for over 10yrs and being Hypo to some extent or other for that period (because I needed T3 too) I have had the most amazing immune system. It became a running joke that I never get any virus’, no colds, no V&D nothing, I’ve never even had flu ever on my entire life.
Bloods should be retested 6-8 weeks after each dose increase in Levothyroxine
For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4 and FT3 tested. Also extremely important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12
Low B12 can cause acne
Low vitamin D sore joints/feet
Low vitamin levels are extremely common
Recommended on here that all thyroid blood tests should ideally be done as early as possible in morning and fasting. This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip, best not mentioned to GP or phlebotomist)
Last Levothyroxine dose should be 24 hours prior to test, (taking delayed dose immediately after blood draw).
Guidelines on Levothyroxine dose is approx 1.6mcg Levothyroxine per kilo of your weight.....but some need more, some need less
Getting vitamins optimal can improve conversion of FT4 to FT3
Have you tried strictly gluten free diet?
Changing to a strictly gluten free diet may help reduce symptoms, help gut heal and reduce symptoms
While still eating high gluten diet ask GP for coeliac blood test first or buy test online for under £20, just to rule it out first
Assuming test is negative you can immediately go on strictly gluten free diet
(If test is positive you will need to remain on high gluten diet until endoscopy, maximum 6 weeks wait officially)
Trying gluten free diet for 3-6 months. If no noticeable improvement then reintroduce gluten and see if symptoms get worse
chriskresser.com/the-gluten...
amymyersmd.com/2018/04/3-re...
Always get actual results and ranges on all blood tests and keep good record of what you were taking and how you felt at each test
I do my bloods fasting and takes meds after each test. As I'm from the uk, the GPs and endocrinologists keep all the test results online so I dont get a copy, they just highlight the issues to me and give me supplements where necessary.
This is UK based forum
You are legally entitled to printed copies of your blood test results and ranges.
UK GP practices are supposed to offer online access for blood test results. Ring and ask if this is available and apply to do so if possible, if it is you may need "enhanced access" to see blood results.
In reality many GP surgeries do not have blood test results online yet
Alternatively ring receptionist and request printed copies of results. Allow couple of days and then go and pick up.
Many of us didn't make progress until we did this
Absolutely essential to see exactly what has been tested and equally important what hasn't been tested yet
Also vitamin levels need to be at optimal levels for Levothyroxine to work well
Do you need actual results and ranges
Eg B12 range is typically 180-780. GP would say B12 was fine if result was 210 or 690. Many patients on Levothyroxine need B12 over 500
Similarly vitamin D. Rarely tested. Yet is often low when hypothyroid. Vitamin D only needs treatment by GP if result is under 50nmol. (NHS use to have to treat if result was under 80nmol....but range changed to cut number they were obliged to treat)
self supplementing vitamin D recommended to keep vitamin D at least around 80nmol and around 100nmol may be better
Thankyou for this information it is most helpful. I will request copies in future so I can see for myself.
I only discovered, when I finally got access to my historic results in 2015 ...I had had severe vitamin D deficiency for years....was never even aware it had been tested .....was never told results or prescribed vitamin D.
Getting vitamin D optimal was key to my own progress...... turned out to be gluten intolerant, confirmed by endoscopy and deficient in B vitamins and magnesium...more info on my profile
Wouldn't have made any progress without this fantastic forum
It's an absolute godsend into fully understanding our conditions and shared experiences. GPs and endo's are so busy that we barely get time to talk to them before they are throwing us out the door for the next person.
Do you always take Levo on empty stomach and then nothing apart from water for at least an hour after. ?
Many take Levothyroxine early morning, on waking, but it may be more convenient and possibly more effective taken at bedtime.
verywell.com/should-i-take-...
Other medication at least 2 hours away, some like HRT, iron, calcium, vitamin D or magnesium at least four hours away from Levothyroxine
Many people find Levothyroxine brands are not interchangeable.
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. Teva is the only brand that makes 75mcg tablet.
I always take it first thing in the morning with some peppermint tea (not green tea) and leave other medications until lunchtime. I can be a bit of an evening eater so night meds would be harder to manage.
My 100mcg is Almus (Actavis)
My 50mcg is Teva (only just started these 2 weeks ago)
The spots were appearing while just on the 100mcg
Teva brand upsets thousands of people
It's a Marmite brand in that many hate it but a few (usually lactose intolerant) love it
healthunlocked.com/search/p...
If you feel Teva is upsetting you get new prescription for 50mcg asap and get "no Teva" added to all future prescriptions
Teva contains mannitol, research suggests it changes gut flora
bmj.com/content/360/bmj.k71...
Always stick to a brand that you know doesn't upset you
Personally I would only take Levothyroxine with water, not peppermint tea "just incase" it affected absorption
The bloating was occurring, although milder, when I was hyper and on carbimazole. This got worse while off all meds awaiting RAI for 5 weeks. 2 weeks after RAI I went into a zero reading of T3 and T4 and the bloating was terrible, had sight problems, tongue ulcers and couldnt walk (coordinate movement) properly so they started me on 100mcg of the Almus Brand levo. It's hard to pinpoint exactly when the spots started to occur but it was around the time I started dropping T3 and T4 I think.
Bloating is extremely common. Often strictly gluten free diet helps improve gut symptoms
See you are trying Apple cider vinegar. Literally thousands of posts on here about low stomach acid
Low B12 common issue...doesn't always show up in blood test.
Strongly recommend getting all four vitamins tested....plus TSH, FT3 and FT4 are absolutely essential
Important to do blood tests as early as possible in morning and fasting and last Levothyroxine dose 24 hours before blood test
Research shows 20% Patients with no thyroid can not regain full health on just Levothyroxine
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl...
But before considering adding any T3 all four vitamins must be optimal and if gluten is a problem, strictly gluten free diet too
The only way to know if gluten is an issue for you is to try without it and see if symptoms improve
But only do one thing at a time
First step, probably to get Activis 50mcg
Then test vitamins ...if any need improving only add one supplement at a time, waiting at least ten days to assess before adding another
Email Dionne at Thyroid Uk for list of recommended thyroid specialist endocrinologists who will prescribe T3, if you need it