Itchy skin tips?

[VivaBlack]

Hi - any other itchy skin sufferers here? And if so, what helped? I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia in the 90s and was picked up as hypothyroid (sub-clinical but with TSH above normal) in 2012. Now I’m on Levothyroxine, since my TSH went up to 59 … surely my chronically itchy skin - since 2008 - must be part of this? Have tried moisturisers etc, over the years have just had to bear it. In addition to meds, I just started taking iron, selenium and vitamin D. Any tips? Thank you!

[shaws Administrator]

Maybe have a trial by taking one anti-histamine tablet one hour before your dose and wait an hour before eating. If you don't have the symptoms occurring, ask doctor/pharmacist to allow you to have a trial of another product by another provider.

[VivaBlack in reply to shaws]

Thank you! I'm sorry - I wasn't clear enough, the chronic itching dates back over ten years (lots of GPs visits), I've only been medicated for 2 months. I think the itching is an autoimmunity symptom, and wondered if anyone else here can corroborate?

[Baobabs in reply to VivaBlack]

Hello, I have constant itching across the middle of my back, between my shoulder blades, no rash, spots or evidence of irritation or infection. I cannot find the source although if by accident I have consumed gluten, it seems worse. I have had Hashimoto's for several years and wonder if it is due to thyroid medication? My GP can throw no light on the situation. At one point I dreaded it being skin cancer or liver disease as both can cause unexplained itching apparently. Not much help, sorry!

[VivaBlack in reply to Baobabs]

I'd thought it was a symptom of the disease, am trying to reference where i read that now, i expected there to be lots of people here suffering from itchy skin ...

[JackyGT in reply to Baobabs]

Sorry I know this is not relevant to the original query but just wanted to say to Baobabs I have exactly the same problem with itchy skin in exactly the same place with absolutely no rash or any other sign. Cannot discover any reason for it - wondered whether it was anything to do with my hypothyroidism but can’t pin it down.

[Batty1 in reply to VivaBlack]

Do you have psoriasis or another type of skin issue? You could try cooking coconut reminds me of crisco or lard… helps though.

[VivaBlack in reply to Batty1]

I don’t, I’ve tried coconut oil! I’m still convinced the itching is something to do with my hypothyroidism … thank you for the suggestion though!

[Batty1 in reply to VivaBlack]

Hypothyroidism can definitely cause dry skin, no doubt about it I suffer this problem no matter how much or what I apply.

[Barrett582]

I discovered quite by accident that I am allergic to acacia (aka gum Arabic). I itch all over when I ingest it. When you read ingredients, you will find it in many foods. Acacia is also found in many medications, including Synthroid and generic levothyroxine. I had itched for years and slathered on moisturizers to no avail. Now I am itch-free and very careful. Just one piece of gum will bring on the itching.

Good luck

[VivaBlack in reply to Barrett582]

Thank you!

[Barrett582 in reply to VivaBlack]

You’re welcome.

[Clarrisa]

I am glad to hear I am not alone with the itchy skin. Mine has gotten worse lately. I saw a dermatologist (edit: meant to say Allergist) quite a while ago, thinking it was my Synthroid medication, but she felt the benefits of taking the medication far outweighed any disadvantage like itching from it.

I haven’t been able to locate a liquid Synthroid where I live (states), I thought that might have less additives. That is all I can suggest, try a liquid version of your thyroid medication if it has less additives & is available to you.

[VivaBlack in reply to Clarrisa]

Thank you, something to think about!

[Batty1 in reply to Clarrisa]

The only thyroid tablets that I’m aware of that are free of crazy ingredients is the white tablets (Synthroid and Levo) its the only pill color that hasn’t caused me grief.

[bookish]

I had very itchy skin but can't be certain what resolved it for me. It can be connected to hypo dry skin, but also poor liver and gallbladder function and low B12 (all of which I had.) It can be one of the first signs of liver not working terribly well, long before you get raised enzymes, so worth trying to improve that with diet/supplements before it gets worse. Liver and gallbladder function are so intertwined and so essential for good health. Well worth checking your B12 if you haven't yet, but don't supplement until you've tested properly as it will skew the results and may make your doctor even more likely to miss something that is easily missed anyway. I found a gluten free diet, less carb, more good fats, optimal vitamins and minerals esp the Bs and magnesium have helped a lot. Best wishes PS just noticed you mention gritty eyes as well as the fibro - has anyone checked you for Sjogren's yet? High incidence of itchy skin due to dryness and nerve issues like Small Fibre Neuropathy)

[VivaBlack in reply to bookish]

Thank you! I will follow that up

[Gcart]

Yes I have itchy skin especially on my back . No idea what it is and anti histamine just made me feel so sleepy. Using creams made no difference . Nothing to see on the skin . I have two basal cell carcinomas that are to be removed this Thurs and they don’t itch!. I asked the Dermatologist about the ones that do itch snd she said that they were nothing to worry about . Ironic or what ! So they continue to drive me mad.

[VivaBlack in reply to Gcart]

Sorry to hear you’re a fellow sufferer!

[ElephantShrew]

i used to get really itchy arms for a couple of years before i was diagnosed hypothyroid - i used moisturiser which helped a bit - but they haven't itched for a while and i'm' just trying to remember when they last did.. i was thinking the levothyroxine might have fixed this or perhaps raising my vitamin levels? really interesting to read that low b12 might cause this as i had the night sweats a few times as well which i think can also be caused by low b12 or low vit d.

these days i get itchy hands every evening, i have started to wonder if i have become allergic to something!