Reaction to Carbimazole

[Willow2010]

Morning I have been on 40mg of carbimazole for nearly 4 weeks.

I have developed a very itchy & sensitive skin

My Free thyroxin level was 37.5

Tsh 20.1 last test.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

TSH 20

Are you sure?

High TSH = hypothyroidism (hashimoto’s)

Carbimazole is to treat hyperthyroidism (Graves disease)

Ft4 looks high - please add range

Have you had TSI or Trab antibodies tested to confirm Graves’ disease?

Hashimoto’s frequently starts with transient hyperthyroid results and symptoms before becoming increasingly hypothyroid

Carbimazole is not correct treatment for Hashimoto’s

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

And TSI or Trab antibodies tested for Graves’ disease

Low vitamin levels are extremely common, especially if you have Hashimoto’s or Graves

Ask GP to test vitamin levels

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 .

This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip)

Is this how you do your tests?

Private tests are available as NHS currently rarely tests Ft3 or thyroid antibodies or all relevant vitamins

List of private testing options

thyroiduk.org/getting-a-dia...

Medichecks Thyroid plus antibodies and vitamins

medichecks.com/products/adv...

Thriva Thyroid plus antibodies and vitamins By DIY fingerpick test

thriva.co/tests/thyroid-test

Thriva also offer just vitamin testing

Blue Horizon Thyroid Premium Gold includes antibodies, cortisol and vitamins by DIY fingerprick test

bluehorizonbloodtests.co.uk...

If you can get GP to test vitamins and antibodies then cheapest option for just TSH, FT4 and FT3

£29 (via NHS private service ) and 10% off down to £26.10 if go on thyroid uk for code

thyroiduk.org/getting-a-dia...

monitormyhealth.org.uk/thyr...

Graves Disease antibodies test

medichecks.com/products/tsh...

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

If TPO or TG thyroid antibodies are high this is usually due to Hashimoto’s (commonly known in UK as autoimmune thyroid disease). Can be slightly raised with Graves’ disease too

Link about thyroid blood tests

thyroiduk.org/getting-a-dia...

Link about Hashimoto’s

thyroiduk.org/hypothyroid-b...

Link about Graves’ disease

thyroiduk.org/hyperthyroid-...

[PurpleNails Administrator]

Check on your patient information leaflet which is dispensed with your medication. Always good to reread when possible side affect appear.

Itchy skin rash is a common reaction to carbimazole, discuss with your doctor they might suggest a antihistamine medicine to help it.

Do you have a repeat blood test scheduled? Usually around 6 weeks after beginning medication to see where your levels are and ensure you don’t remain to high or fall too low in range?

[Willow2010 in reply to PurpleNails]

Thank you, It helps when someone points out the obvious in re reading the information leaflet & we don't always think in that way . I have a blood test tomorrow & an appointment with the ophth on monday as I have thyroid eye disease & thyrotoxocosis. Thank again.

[pennyannie]

Hello Willow

There is an alternative AT drug to Carbimazole called Propylthiouracil - PTU - for short :

However the alternative most likely comes with side effects so just be aware :

Having a quick look back at your history I think we are still waiting on confirmation of over range TSI / TR ab antibodies for Graves - or have I missed something ?

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK]

My Free thyroxin level was 37.5

Tsh 20.1 last test.

Three weeks ago you posted:

T4 37.4 Tsh 0.2

I suspect there might be a typo there in one or other set of results?

If your Free T4 has gone UP by 0.1 despite four weeks on a reasonably high dose of carbimazole, you simply must contact your doctor(s).

If your TSH has also gone UP - by 19.9 with next to no change in Free T4 - that too means you must contact your doctor(s).

There are possible explanations but this is not a situation which should be allowed to go on and on. Forum support can be great, but there are times you really do need a doctor so that appropriate tests can be run, results checked and re-checked, or whatever else is required.

[Valarian]

As others have said, those results look odd,

I had a rash when I first began taking carbimazole but found over the counter antihistamines helped. At the end of the hay fever season, I stopped taking the antihistamines but the rash never returned. (I think I would in any case have been on a lower dose of carbimazole by then )

[Angel20]

Carbimazole is for Graves Disease, your Endo has over dosed you with 40mg my guess, so therefore you have turned Hypo. This is the issue I have with Endo's they must monitor you, and you yourself should also do private blood testing so you know how your thyroid is responding to carbimazole in order to make the necessary dosage adjustments.

[NIKEGIRL]

Hi. Was the itchy skin the only adverse reaction. I would agree you need TSI and TRAb tests done too