Flaking Red skin and Itchy Sore face - Thyroid UK

Thyroid UK

137,730 members161,516 posts

Flaking Red skin and Itchy Sore face

Ladybex profile image
26 Replies

I came off Levothyroxine as it wasn’t agreeing with me before xmas... after more blood tests my Dr said I should go back on it as my thyroid was low again.. and to try a different brand. Since coming off my face has been unbearable ... red burning sore itchy flaking skin ...

I’m wondering if this is a symptom of under active thyroid.. I started taking it again a week ago ... 50mcg as last year I was only in 25mcg

Any advice would be much appreciated

Many thanks

Written by
Ladybex profile image
Ladybex
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Read more about...
26 Replies
SeasideSusie profile image
SeasideSusieRemembering

What's the new brand?

What was previous brand?

Ladybex profile image
Ladybex in reply to SeasideSusie

Previous was Wockhardt now mercury pharma which seems ok 🤞 just wondering if under active thyroid left untreated can cause a red sore dry face ☹️

SeasideSusie profile image
SeasideSusieRemembering in reply to Ladybex

just wondering if under active thyroid left untreated can cause a red sore dry face

I had symptoms for 2 years before I was tested and diagnosed/treated and I didn't get that, but of course everyone is an individual.

I would check the excipients of the different brands and see if you can identify what might be different and possibly cause a reaction:

thyroiduk.org/tuk/treatment...

Last updated October 2019, not sure if there's been any changes since.

Ladybex profile image
Ladybex in reply to SeasideSusie

Thank you 😊

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator

Important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12

These frequently drop significantly when levothyroxine is stopped

Hypothyroidism causes low stomach acid and low stomach acid leads to low vitamin levels

Bloods should be retested 6-8 weeks after each dose increase in levothyroxine

Levothyroxine dose should be increased up as quickly as you can tolerate it.

Levothyroxine doesn’t top up your own thyroid hormone output, it replaces it

Most people need at least 100mcg levothyroxine

Your were left woefully under treated

Post about how to push to get dose increased after each blood test

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu....

Hives and hashimoto’s are linked

thyroidpharmacist.com/artic...

hypothyroidmom.com/chronic-...

verywellhealth.com/thyroid-...

Is your skin on face Hives ?

See picture on this link

quora.com/How-do-you-get-ri...

Have you had coeliac blood test yet

Are you on strictly gluten free diet?

Ladybex profile image
Ladybex

Thank you for the info ... I was on 25mcg last year and felt bad but Dr wouldn’t increase dosage. Changed Dr and they have started me onto 50mcg and a different brand ... been on it a week but had red sore face for quite a while now and wondering if it’s a symptom of under active thyroid.. if so, hoping the Levothyroxine will help once it gets into my system as only been on it for a week ....

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator in reply to Ladybex

It takes minimum of 6 weeks for each dose to have full effect

Then you need bloods tested after 6-8 weeks

Always get blood test as early as possible in morning before eating or drinking anything other than water and last dose levothyroxine 24 hours before test

Suggest you test vitamin D here £29

vitamindtest.org.uk

Ladybex profile image
Ladybex in reply to SlowDragon

Thanks SlowDragon ... Vit D ok just have to have another thyroid blood test in 5 weeks and see if they tell me to take a higher dose 🤔 I’m in 50mcg atm ....

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator in reply to Ladybex

What’s your vitamin D level?!

How much vitamin D are you supplementing ?

shaws profile image
shawsAdministrator

When some thyroid hormones make my face red and sore, I assume that the fillers/binders in it must be causing it. So I change to another make/brand and it usually resolves.

Also you could try taking one anti-histamine tablet one hour before taking the tablet and if you don't get the reaction or it is reduced, change to another make.

Wetsuiter profile image
Wetsuiter

My skin doesn't like being undertreated hypothyroid. It could well be that your new medication will sort that problem. Time willl tell.

Ladybex profile image
Ladybex

Thanks guys ... so good to be on this site when your alone ... have s good weekend 😊

Jasp6 profile image
Jasp6

I had a similar problem with my face last year. I was under treated hypothyroid, but also low in some vitamins and minerals. It has thankfully improved with an increase in Levothyroxine and various supplements. I am not sure what helped in the end. Hope you improve soon.

Ladybex profile image
Ladybex in reply to Jasp6

Thanks Jasp that’s reassuring hope you are keeping well ...

gigitheweegie profile image
gigitheweegie

My under treatment leaves my skin like this too. Also I’ve noticed a great effect on my skin since getting the dose right and being gluten free. Hope you find your fix soon

Tuscansun profile image
Tuscansun

Is t face skin only? Do you have red itchy flaking skin elsewhere? Like arms, legs, back etc.? I am asking if it’s local or systemic problem...

The flaky part may indicate fungal overgrowth.

You can try Clotrimazole cream for 3-5 days and see if it makes any difference.

Ladybex profile image
Ladybex in reply to Tuscansun

It’s just on my face and a little patch on my neck ... anything I put in it burns so using E45 till I see the Dermatologist ...

Tuscansun profile image
Tuscansun in reply to Ladybex

Got it. You can also try Avene water - it’s soothing thermal water - available in Boots.

Ard1 profile image
Ard1

Hi there, whenever I have been undertreated and before I was diagnosed I have had very sore skin on my face only. It was also around my eyes too. Before being hypothyroid I had very oily skin.

I had sore facial skin, fatigue and weight gain as my key indicators that something was wrong. The sore facial skin was the area that affected me the most it was like being constantly burnt -but everyone is different. X

Ladybex profile image
Ladybex in reply to Ard1

Sounds the same, hoping the Levothyroxine will start working soon ... thank you Ard

Ard1 profile image
Ard1 in reply to Ladybex

I hope so too. Good luck x

Catseyes235 profile image
Catseyes235

You need thyroxine in your body to stay alive. It’s not a choice - it is essential and yes very dry and ultimately itchy skin is a symptom of under active thyroid. My legs were worst affected. Don’t think your doctor has explained things to you very well. Thyroxine needs to be increased in stages and it is necessary to be patient (months if not a year or so). for it to to reach the optimum level. Keep on taking the pills!

Ladybex profile image
Ladybex in reply to Catseyes235

Thank you for that ... I was on 25mcg for over a year (3 different brands and I was so poorly) changed Dr and now started new brand of 50mcg and blood test to follow in 6 weeks hoping this is going to help as it’s been a nightmare ...

Catseyes235 profile image
Catseyes235

So glad you changed doctor. Sounds like you’re going in the right direction so go with the treatment and practice the art of patience ...I discovered jigsaws good for worst patches! Best of luck

Ladybex profile image
Ladybex in reply to Catseyes235

Thanks catseyes ... hoping it will help my very sore flaking red itchy face etc

Tanne profile image
Tanne

Rosace ?

You may also like...

Sore red swollen itchy hand

flucoxacillin and dermal wash It's a throbbing burning it, sometimes hot to touch It moves from one...

Scaly skin on eyelid, itchy and red conjunctiva

puffiness in my eyes and face have continued to improve, and the difference is quite noticeable....

Red, Sore Face & Hypothyroidism?

Anyhow... I wondered if anyone has experienced a red face as a result of Hypothyroidism? Along...

sore red swollen face after first use of tevo northstar

a swollen face burning itching hard lumps and then open sores i didnt link this to new brand until...

Dry, red, flaky skin on face and neck

very dry skin on my face and neck. I look like a beetroot. My face is and neck are very red and the...