Hello, writing on behalf of my wife. She has a persistent (2+ years) neck rash which 'flares-up' from time to time. It's 'itchy' and uncomfortable. We've been to the doctor several times about the rash. Doc says nothing to worry about, just apply 'Simple' moisturiser.
Medical history: Female aged 35. Diagnosed with hyperthyroidism 8 years ago. Underwent radioactive iodine therapy about 4 years ago to 'kill' part of the thyroid. Subsequently went into minor hypothyroidism which was treated for 6 months with carbimazole. Past 2-years of thyroid tests show everything is 'OK'.
Question:
Any idea what is causing this rash and any suggestions on how to ease or get rid of it?
Thank you for any help.
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ativa567
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That looks rather nasty, has your wife see her GP this time? Maybe it's time to see a different GP.
This is a bit worrying:
Subsequently went into minor hypothyroidism which was treated for 6 months with carbimazole
Carbimazole is the treatment for hypERthyroidism. If you wife's results showed subsequent hypOthyroidism (very common after RAI) then the treatment would be Levothyroxine and very likely for life.
Past 2-years of thyroid tests show everything is 'OK'.
Do you have a copy of these test results? If not get your wife to ask the receptionist at the surgery (not the doctor) for a print out of her test results. Always a print out, never hand written or verbal results as mistakes can be made. When you have these, post them on the forum along with their reference ranges which should be on the print out alongside the results, possibly in brackets, they will look something like:
TSH: 2.5 (0.2-4.2)
For a full picture the tests needed are
TSH
FT4
FT3
Thyroid antibodies
and it's also a good idea to have nutrients tested:
Thank you very much for your reply. Apologies, I've got the drugs mixed up. In the past, my wife has been treated with carbimazole and levothyroxine - the latter after the radioactive iodine treatment.
We've not been to the GP recently. Will see about getting an appointment with a different GP.
Getting printed test results sounds like a good idea. We'll do that and report back.
It is always best to see a GP (hopefully a good one to ensure your wife has a proper diagnosis). I know the majority of GPs only seem to be doing telephone consultations but your wife should be examined.
Any possibility it could be a n allergic reaction? Perhaps where perfume is applied. Or another unknown allergy. It looks very sore, has she tried a anti-histamine might help calm it down?
Hello, thank you for your reply. I got the medications mixed up in the OP, sorry.
My wife had levo for HypO for about 6 months but for the past 2 years no drugs as tests are 'normal'. No actual results, have always got the 'Normal range' from the receptionist. However, will now be asking for full printed results.
Not sure what caused the original hyperthyroidism.
Will print out the symptom list - thanks.
Allergic reaction: That's an interesting question. It's possible. She had some new perfumes for xmas so worth a check.
anti-histamine: We have some from a previous prescription. Will use that for a few days.
Carbimazole is not correct treatment when hypothyroid
Just testing TSH is completely inadequate as monitoring
For full Thyroid evaluation your wife needs 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 with Graves’ disease or Hashimoto’s
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)
Private tests are available as NHS currently rarely tests Ft3 or thyroid antibodies or all relevant vitamins
Hello, thanks for your reply. Lots of excellent information. Hadn't appreciated the importance of the vitamin side so would be useful to get that tested too. Getting a private test looks like a good option. Thank you for all the links. We're going through them now. Martin.
Something to be aware of with rashes is SLS (Sodium Lauryl Sulfate). Found in many face creams, hand creams etc it may cause irritation. You would think that something as simple and basic as Aqueous Cream would be free of it, but it's still in several brands. Many doctors don't seem to know about it. Check ingredients of any creams applied.
I get a rash on my neck exactly like that. It just flares up for no apparent reason. I have never thought it was Thyroid related. Although it probably started a year or two before diagnosis for an underactive thyroid.
It is irritated by things like chlorine and perfume. I can't ever spray perfume on my neck. My neck would immediately burn. It's been calm during lock down while I can't swim. I put barrier cream on my neck before I go swimming and thoroughly wash my neck after. I use cream for skin conditions like psoriasis.
The doctor prescribed Daktacort cream. This does work but it's very hard on the skin. I am left with skin peeling like sun burn. But it stops the pain and burning feeling. I personally do think it's an allergy. Maybe made worse by dry skin condition brought on by thyroid issues.
Thanks for your comment. Very similar to my wife's condition. Would just like to find a solution and also make sure it's nothing serious. She was prescribed Betnovate Cream by the doctor a couple of years ago but advised not to use for too long as it thins the skin.
Oh as a side issue I became allergic to toothpaste that contained Sodium Lauryl Sulfate. That was years ago. I changed my toothpaste. But if I use one with SLS in I very quickly get chapped lips.
I can only say that when I was hyper (Graves), I used to sometimes get a strange, elongated red wheal/welt on the side of my neck but nowhere else. It would flare up, itch- then disappear. Never did spread any further or cause issues for more than a few hours at a time when it did pop up. Never did find out what it was, but have not had any more after thyroid removal. Hope your wife finds resolution to this.
I think its easy to blame everything on the thyroid issues. But my thyroid condition was found in routine checks it wasn't something I ever considered. When I asked about the skin problem I was told its really hard to diagnose without going to a specialist. I think they said its allergy or viral. If its viral it is very hard to diagnose as it can disappear as quickly as it appears, that is true of my condition.
Totally agree. Would just like to know what it is, treat it properly and solve the problem. I can only imagine how uncomfortable it must be and very much sympathise with anyone having to deal with this kind of symptom.
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