I'm female, 30, i have been on thyroid meds for 9 years, starting with Actavis mostly, 50mcg...my thyroid was only SLIGHTLY under when i was 21 and diagnosed, i was obese at time, eating badly, i also have an autoimmune condition, called systemic sclerosis....
I was on TEVA in 2018 and then switched brands to Actavis, probably around December...i then noticed i had dry skin, felt bad, hair loss etc and i changed back to TEVA....i've back on it for over a year now and in that year ive had an itchy, red scalp, pretty much constantly. Flaking...hair loss at the crown, so mostly at back of head, not all over...kind of like a man and its noticeable, so thin you can see right through it.
I didn't take my thyroid tablets this morning and ive had no scalp itchiness....i washed my hair and its the first time it didn't hurt and feel horribly itchy. Its a weird kind of itch, like sensitive, maybe like sunburn itch but on the scalp...
what is going on???!!
My diet isnt too bad and my health always improves with going gluten free, egg free and dairy free...(i have stomach issues and foods also cause inflammation)
is it possible im allergic to an ingredient?
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haiiroika
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Have/ do you ever take an antihistamine? I would imagine, although I could be wrong but if this was an allergy to an ingredient then symptoms would normally show some sign of improvement/suppression whilst the antihistamine is working. Failing that I have no idea I’m afraid 😔 hopefully someone else more knowledgeable will be along to help you soon xxx
No but that is a good idea, i have some at home so i will give it a go...honestly never feel that great, i think i probably feel better on TEVA as don't think the dose with Actavis is high enough..well, it doesn't feel like it, its like i went under whilst taking it
Just a thought and if it makes no difference then that’s probably not where the problem lies. I know myself personally have noticed differences in how I feel when I’ve had to change brand i hope you get to the bottom of it x
So presumably you have Hashimoto’s, autoimmune thyroid disease
For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4 and FT3 plus both TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested. Also EXTREMELY important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12
Low vitamin levels are extremely common, especially if you have autoimmune thyroid disease (Hashimoto's) diagnosed by raised Thyroid antibodies
Ask GP to test vitamin levels and thyroid antibodies if not been tested yet
Do you think Teva was better. Many people with Hashimoto’s are lactose intolerant and Teva is lactose free
You may need to get full Thyroid testing privately as NHS refuses to test TG antibodies if TPO antibodies are negative
Recommended on here that all thyroid blood tests should ideally be done as early as possible in morning and before eating or drinking anything other than water .
Last dose of Levothyroxine 24 hours prior to blood test. (taking delayed dose 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)
Is this how you do your tests?
Private tests are available as NHS currently rarely tests Ft3 or thyroid antibodies or all relevant vitamins
The aim of Levothyroxine is to increase the dose slowly in 25mcg steps upwards until TSH is under 2 (many patients need TSH significantly under one) and most important is that FT4 is in top third of range and FT3 at least half way through range
NHS guidelines on Levothyroxine including that most patients eventually need somewhere between 100mcg and 200mcg Levothyroxine.
Hi, very thorough reply. I had vit levels tested not long ago and all fine, hormone levels all fine, i think free T3 was higher than it should be. I've never had dose of levo increased for the 9 years as it always comes back normal or within range or whatever but i know the way they test isn't as good as it should be. I have vitamin D3 that i will start taking now, i wouldnt be surprised if my vits are low though as i don't eat well due to stomach issues.
I'm going to check out links. The hair loss was just in the last year with the red scalp and itching...very strange as ive never had scalp issues before and i was awaiting biopsy. The derm said there's inflammation going on
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i hope you get to the bottom of it x
losing hair and itchy scalp on levothyroxine- any shampoo suggestions?
Hair loss and levothyroxine 
Hair loss
Change of Levothyroxine brand (to Teva) possibly causing hair loss?
Hashimotos hair loss 
