Underactive Thyroid and itchy skin

[Spikelodge]

I have an Underactive thyroid and just recently developed very itchy skin on my forearms and ankles plus tingling all over my body - has anyone else experienced this?

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Welcome to the forum

How much levothyroxine are you currently taking

Do you always get same brand levothyroxine at each prescription

What are most recent TSH, Ft4 and Ft3 results and ranges

Always test thyroid levels early morning and last dose levothyroxine 24 hours before test

Do you have autoimmune thyroid disease also called Hashimoto’s, usually diagnosed by high TPO or high TG antibodies

When were vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 levels last tested

What vitamin supplements are you currently taking

Tingling common with low vitamin levels and/or low thyroid levels

[Spikelodge in reply to SlowDragon]

Hi - no vitamin supplements - have never felt the need. I have been taking 100mcg daily but last tests showed I needed 150 on 3 days of the week …

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Has your brand of Levo changed recently and these symptoms coincide with that?

[Spikelodge in reply to SeasideSusie]

Yes - I think so - I sometimes get it in the UK and sometimes in Denmark - why?

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Spikelodge]

many people find different brands are not interchangeable

What brand is new 50mcg

Would be better to take 125mcg daily rather than 100mcg and 150mcg alternate days

It takes minimum 6-8 weeks for any dose change to have full effect

Retest TSH, Ft4 and Ft3 at least 6-8 weeks after any change in dose or brand of levothyroxine

Many (most?) thyroid patients on replacement thyroid hormones need to supplement vitamin D and vitamin B complex daily. Significant number also struggle to maintain good ferritin levels

Essential to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 at least once a year

being on too low a dose levothyroxine will frequently result in low vitamin levels

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Spikelodge]

Teva brand upsets many people, it is a lactose free brand which uses Mannitol instead and it appears to be the Mannitol that causes adverse reactions. There are, of course, other fillers such as acacia which can cause problems but Mannitol is the most common.

[Catseyes235]

while underactive you can get dry skin and various strange symptoms so best see how it goes when new dosage kicks in which can take a few weeks!

[Trainwreck2]

I've been hypo for years. I take 125mcg in the morning. I also have had dry itchy skin. Mostly my legs. My front lower part. I have to use a cortisone otc cream to stop the itch and I keep lotion on my legs constantly. I put on damp skin after shower then have to reapply at night. That's the only thing that keeps me from scratching for blood!I do take vit B12, combo of magnesium,calcium,zinc. And D3. Winters are brutal no sun. Once in awhile I'll take an iron pill when I'm feeling worn out.

Thyroid tests have been good so far. Thyroid problems are not fun. I can sympathize you all.

[TiggerMe Ambassador in reply to Trainwreck2]

You sound like me if I take pills containing lactose, which most do unless you specify lactose free

[TSH110 in reply to Trainwreck2]

Sounds like it could be pretibial myxodema, I’m plagued by it. It can happen if you have atrophic autoimmune thyroiditis (no goitre) and very rarely Hashimotos, it’s an autoimmune response. It may hang around for a year or two then subside only to rear it’s ugly head again years later.. It’s related to thyroid eye disease (same antibodies), selenium might help. I just suffer mine but yours sounds very severe. Mine is so itchy I scratch till I bleed - it’s very hard to resist the temptation to scratch it. Like you I find sunshine helps reduce it - it’s always much worse in winter.

[RedApple Administrator]

Spikelodge 'have been taking 100mcg daily but last tests showed I needed 150 on 3 days of the week'

Firstly, this is not a good way to medicate hypothyroidism. It would be better and kinder to your body to even out the dose by taking 125mcg for six days and 100mcg on the seventh.

Secondly, if you are using oestrogen pessaries for VA, then this may be the cause of the itching, or at least a contributing factor. Try gradually reducing the frequency of using pessaries. e.g. from once every three-four days to once every five-six days. Don't stop them completely though or your VA will return!

Many medics don't understand that changing the dose or introducing too much of another hormone can affect the overall hormonal balance in the body, leading to unnecessary side effects. Hormones need to work in synergy.

[Chocs09]

I also used to scratch myself to pieces on Levo. I was changed to T3 and now it all good. My do put it down to an allergic reaction.

[Marz]

Think it maybe time to test B12 - Folate - Fetritin - VitD. All need to be OPTIMAL for thyroid hormones to work well. Low B12 could be your problem - it was for me....

[limonene7]

Hi, yes, I had very itchy forearms and shins after starting levothyroxine mono therapy. I was at that time on Teva levothyroxine and have since changed brand and added T3 to my medication. I no longer have the itching. I do not convert levo into T3 very well and so I ended up being worse off on levo mono therapy. I don't know if the itching was resolved by changing my levo brand or by increasing my T3. Histamine intolerance issues can also cause itching.

[manizani]

Please have your PTH checked stands for parathyroid hormone levels. As well as your b12 levels

[Stourie]

the only itchy bit of me is my scalp. Dreadful and I’ve tried different shampoos but nothing helps. Jo xx