very itchy shoulders but no rash

[Ardea]

I had my thyroid removed due to thyroid cancer. I also have rheumatoid and oesto and fibromyalgia - but this is a puzzle. I want to scratch but I know I will have marks but the itching ios driving me mad! Any ideas anyone? thanks

[SlowDragon Administrator]

How long have you been on Levothyroxine and how much are you currently taking?

First thing is, do you have any actual blood test results? if not will need to get hold of copies.

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.

For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4 and FT3 tested. Also EXTREMELY important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12

Low vitamin levels are extremely common, especially if on inadequate level of Levothyroxine

Fibromyalgia is often linked to low FT3

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).

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

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 special offers, Medichecks usually have offers on Thursdays, Blue Horizon its more random

The aim of Levothyroxine is to increase the dose slowly in 25mcg steps upwards until TSH is under 2 (many need TSH significantly under one) and most important is that FT4 in top third of range and FT3 at least half way in range

All four vitamins need to be regularly tested and frequently need supplementing to maintain optimal levels

NHS guidelines on Levothyroxine including that most patients eventually need somewhere between 100mcg and 200mcg Levothyroxine.

nhs.uk/medicines/levothyrox...

Also what foods to avoid (eg recommended to avoid calcium rich foods at least four hours from taking Levo)

Guidelines on dose by weight - 1.6mcg per kilo of your weight as initial guideline.....some need more, some less

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

Add results and ranges if you have them, or come back with new post once you get results

[Ardea in reply to SlowDragon]

Thank you for your advise. I will request my blood results and have another blood test also. Xx

[Lalatoot]

When I was under medicare I had itchy lower back and itchy shoulders. Once my levels reached a certain point the itches disappeared.

[Ardea in reply to Lalatoot]

Thank you. I think my levels are wrong so hopefully if i get this sorted the itching will stop xx