I was diagnosed back in 2019 with hypothyroidism and been on Teva Levothyroxine ever since. I take 50 micrograms and then 75 micrograms the next day and so on. But ever since taking Levothyroxine I have had pinkish cheeks and pinkness on my forehead between my eyebrows, could this be down to the brand of levothyroxine I am taking? My last blood test were in range.
If it could be the brand, what other brands do most people get on with? I am thinking it may be worth trying another one.
Thank you
Written by
020202
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
I wouldn't say adverse symptoms but do have dry skin on my face and feet which I guess are from hypothyroidism rather than the medication?
(I also have undiagnosed issues with circulation to my feet they go blue/purple even in warm weather when I am sat down and pressure issues when lying on my side as my circulation feels like it has been cut off, which started at the sale time I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism but the doctors do not believe this is connected and not found the cause).
But with TSH over 2 you’re highly likely to need dose increase in levothyroxine
For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4 and FT3 tested
Also both TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested at least once
Very important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 at least once year minimum
About 90% of primary hypothyroidism is autoimmune thyroid disease, usually diagnosed by high thyroid antibodies
Autoimmune thyroid disease with goitre is Hashimoto’s
Autoimmune thyroid disease without goitre is Ord’s thyroiditis.
Both are autoimmune and generally called Hashimoto’s.
Low vitamin levels are extremely common when hypothyroid, especially with autoimmune thyroid disease
20% of autoimmune thyroid patients never have high thyroid antibodies and ultrasound scan of thyroid can get diagnosis
In U.K. medics hardly ever refer to autoimmune thyroid disease as Hashimoto’s (or Ord’s thyroiditis)
Recommended that all thyroid blood tests early morning, ideally just before 9am, only drink water between waking and test and last dose levothyroxine 24 hours before test
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 all relevant vitamins
Testing options and includes money off codes for private testing
If symptoms of hypothyroidism persist despite normalisation of TSH, the dose of levothyroxine can be titrated further to place the TSH in the lower part of the reference range or even slightly below (i.e., TSH: 0.1–2.0 mU/L), but avoiding TSH < 0.1 mU/L. Use of alternate day dosing of different levothyroxine strengths may be needed to achieve this (e.g., 100 mcg for 4 days; 125 mcg for 3 days weekly).
For a comprehensive picture of your thyroid health it’s good to share blood test results (with ranges in brackets) for FT3 and FT4 in addition to TSH. Plus thyroid antibody and key vitamin tests (ferritin, folate, vitamins D and B12)
If your GP is unable to complete all the above (eg if TSH is within range, some surgeries may not be able to access FT4 and FT3 tests), you could look to do this privately, as many forum members do, for a better picture of your thyroid health:
I too have suffered with blueish tinges to hands/ feet & my Endo pointed to Reynaulds Syndrome. These symptoms massively improved when thyroid medication & key vitamins were optimal. I’ve also found taking daily turmeric (with ginger & black pepper) has improved my circulation.
I don't think it's necessarily the brand that's the issue but being potentially undermedicated, as 3.22 TSH is often too high. What dose were you on in 2022 when your TSH was lower? 50-70 mcg seems like little more than a starter dose.
Definitely agree other thyroid hormones and antibodies tests, plus vits would be useful to you, and you'd likely need to do this via a home test kit.
Also I get my limbs fall asleep easily, as part of lower circulation. I had a dopler test years ago but it came back borderline low circulation so they said I was ok!!
I have Hashimotos and often have a pink forehead. However if your pink marks are butterfly shaped, you may wish to research Lupus and see if any of your other symptoms fit. As others have advised above, a comprehensive updated blood test might give you some insight. I personally get my bloods done via Medichecks because my GP is only willing to test my TSH annually.
I also have a lot of redness /pinkness around the forehead, also round my cheeks and nostrils. I learnt in a roundabout way that it's caused by dry skin, even if it appears oily. And hypothyroidism is often a lot about dry skin.
Blueish/purple tinges I have them too. And doctors often don't understand the connection between lower circulation and hypothyroidism. But there can definitely be a strong connection.
I had a similar issue around the time I was using Teva. I had a bad outbreak of Rosacea and acne on my cheeks. It was horrible. I also had palpitations all the time.
I was taking 50mcg of Teva and 25mcg of Wockhardt.
I switched to 50mcg of Mercury Pharma and kept taking 25mcg of Wockhardt and my rosacea has gone and my cheeks are back to normal apart from the scars left behind.
A lot of people on this forum have had problems on Teva. I would give another brand a go!
Thank you everyone for your replies I will have a good read through and look into getting more testing done.
I have gone through my test results rather than doctors notes and added them below.
I think the pinkness looks like flushed cheeks. Occasionally maybe once a month or so I get a flare up for half an hour or so where it feels like my face is very warm/hot and goes more red, this sometimes happens with heat changes so seems to sensitive to the heat or not for any reason in particular, and the next day the top layer of skin almost peels/ gone very dry like my cheeks had been sunburnt (sorry I'm not very good at describing things).
With my feet I haven't had any improvement with levothyroxine. Since 2019 I haven't been able to sit down comfortably for example on my sofa or sat at a desk with my feet on the floor within a minute or so it feels like the circulation is being lost, my feet go blue/purple/grey and really do not look or feel very nice, since 2019 I have had to sit with my feet elevated. One consultant said this could be pressure related.
I also find one side of my body can look grey at times.
After going back and forth to my doctors surgery, I eventually got to see a doctor who was willing to refer me for further testing. I was under a consultant at the hospital who run further blood test for arthritis, lupus etc, they also sent me for a cold stress test to check for Reynaud's and I had the capillaries' tested which they said were normal but they agreed my symptoms were consistent with Reynaud's. They said my blood test were clear and their department would not be able to help me any further so I was being discharged from their care and back under the care of my GP.
Here are my results, I would say my the pink on my face has been there since starting levothyroxine. I initially started on 50mg this was then changed to 75mg daily but my face was flaring up like it was burning at this dose, so it was changed. I now alternate between 50 micrograms & 75 micrograms (I have always been on TEVA 50mg and TEVA 25mg).
Thank you
Jun 2019
Serum TSH level 13.19 mIU/L [0.3 - 5.0]; Raised TSH with FT4 within the normal range.
Serum free T4 level 16.5 pmol/L [12.0 - 22.0]; Raised TSH with FT4 within the normal range.
Serum ferritin level 71 ng/ml [15.0 - 350.0]
ENA antibody screening test – normal
dsDNA binding autoantibody level 7.5 IU/ml [< 20.0] – normal
HEp-2 cell autoantibody screening test Positive; Potentially abnormal
HEp-2 nuclear pattern Dense Fine Speckle. Further work to follow.; Potentially abnormal
Given your pink cheeks etc flared up more on a higher Teva dose and reduced by reducing the dose, and given 3mmarose reply above, maybe it is Teva that's the cause! You could try a different make and just see if it helps. Good luck!
Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.
Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.
Almus and Accord Levothyroxine 
What's the point in taking Levothyroxine if it is causing the same symptoms that caused me to see a specialist in the first place?
Lactose and gluten free levothyroxine 
Decrease in levothyroxine
Did anyone experience side effects with Levothyroxine for hypothyroidism in the first 3 months?
