Itchy and Breathless

[Sparklingsunshine]

Hi

Just wanted some advice, I joined this forum a few weeks ago, I was experiencing itching after a dose increase from 75 to 100mcg. My GP put me on an antihistamine and eventually sent me for a load of blood tests to rule out iron deficiency as this can cause itching. These came back OK but they also retested TSH, FT4 and this time FT3.

The recent dose increase had made very little difference in a month, TSH over range, 6.2 FT4 low 12.2 and FT3 miserably low at 3.6. On 14th October GP suggested increasing Levo to 150mcg but the members here advised 125mcg which I've followed. The itching had gone away by this point.

But in the last week the itching has returned and I'm also feeling rather breathless and generally crap. Not myself. I thought the breathlessness might be due to needing a B12 jab but I had this on the 18th and its made no difference.

I've got no rash this time, just a prickly, tingly all over itching. Normally I'm pretty fit and have no breathing issues apart from mild asthma.

No I'm wondering if I'm taking too much Levo or if I can't tolerate it. I haven't got any other symptoms of being hyper like sweating , feeling hot, anxiety or racing heartbeat. I always get the same brand so its not that. Really dont understand what's going on. Thanks.

[nightingale-56]

Whenever I have felt itchy and breathless, it is because my FT3 is low, and yours is. Another raise in dose of Levothyroxine ay be in order after at least 6 weeks on latest dose.

[Sparklingsunshine in reply to nightingale-56]

Hi

Is it like dry skin itchy or like a prickly, tingly ants under the skin itchy you get. I know dry skin can be common amongst hypo patients but mine doesn't feel dry or bumpy. It feels like an internal itching like an allergy rather than an external itching like eczema or dry skin. Sorry its hard to explain. It moves around and there's no rash or redness.

[nightingale-56 in reply to Sparklingsunshine]

For me it is like dry, itchy skin, and my skin is very dry. No rash. I am also on B12 injections. Self-injecting one every other day, and do not get itching with this.

[Anthea55]

Do you always get the same brand of levo? Some people find that they react to particular brands. Did you change brand when you had the dose increase?

[Sparklingsunshine in reply to Anthea55]

Hi yes , I had some gastric issues on a different brand so have been on Accord now for over a year and it's named on my prescription.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

More likely you are in need of next dose increase

Retest TSH, Ft4 and FT3 after 6 weeks on 125mcg

Always test as early as possible in morning before eating or drinking anything apart from water and last dose Levothyroxine 24 hours before test

Only test early Monday or Tuesday morning and post back by tracked postal service

Monitor My Health is cheapest option for test

[Barrister]

I am unable to take Levo after starting this tingly prickly itching. I’ve tried every brand of levothyroxine I can find and also liquid and they all make me itch unbearable. I now take T3 only. The NHS Endo has said I need it but my GP has yet to agree to prescribe it so I get it on a private prescription.