My skin hates me.

[BiffAHiram]

Hypo and been on Levo for a good year or more. Im now upto 75mcg and have an autoimmune diagnosis (Hashi's - TPO last checked at 1487u/i).

Im male, 48, 20st and was generally fit & healthy before thyroid issues.

My last bloods and review was just under 3 months ago and am due to book in on 25th March again.

Im still presenting with all normal symptoms of hypo with no alleviation to symptoms with just my current Levo dosage.

Some doctors are more patient sensitive and say come back every 6-8 weeks for bloods/review. Other doctors state 3 months and just seem clueless (or thyroid scared) on review.

Some agree to treat the symptoms, others are strict "i can't as the results look kinda normal".

1 step forward, 3 steps back!!

All i know is that my symptoms are getting worse.

One of the stupidly annoying ones is that my skin has started properly hating me. Constant redness/dryness/flaking/shedding/itching on my face (nose/brow/scalp/beard area). Nothing on other parts of body though.

My doctor has suggested that it's "sub"dermatitis. Im not too sure as it seems to fluctuate with how my thyroid feels.

Its like there is a failure to link or associate one symptom to another or link it to a route to wellness.

Any advice would be great on what tests to ask for next or what i need to be verbally pushing on with whatever random doctor im assigned this next appointment.

[Jaydee1507 Administrator]

3 months ago you got a 25mcg dose raise. What were the blood results following that?

Have ou trialed a strctly gluten free diet yet? Might be something to try.

Do you do the test as per the protocol recommended here? Recommended blood test protocol: Test at 9am (or as close as possible), fasting, last levo dose 24hrs before the blood draw draw & no biotin containing supplements for 3-7 days (Biotin can interfere with thyroid blood results as it is used in the testing process).

Testing like this gives consistency in your results and will show stable blood levels of hormone and highest TSH which varies throughout the day. Taking Levo/T3 just prior to blood draw can show a falsely elevated result and your GP/Endo might change your dose incorrectly as a result.

[BiffAHiram in reply to Jaydee1507]

Ive not tried gluten free yet, so will definitely consider that.Not had bloods taken since the last 25mcg raise nearly 3 months ago.

My TSH is unstable and usually fluctuates on test results. Some have been within the nhs guidelines, others over.

Some doctors are sympathetic to treating symptoms, others aren't.

I always make sure tests are performed before 9am with no Levo, empty stomach and all the other stuff that we try to do.

[Jaydee1507 Administrator in reply to BiffAHiram]

TSH is often unstable in the early days of Hashimoto's treatment and also when not on enough hormone.

Next step is to book in and get the blood test done as plenty of time has passed since our dose raise. 6-8 weeks is recommended.

The aim of treatment is to normalise your blood results and get your TSH down to 1 or just under where most people feel well.

You could also refer tour GPs to the NICE guidelines that suggest a dose by weight. This is an estimated calculation and you could end up on a little less or more but as a guide will show the difference at least between your current dose and where you should be.

nice.org.uk/guidance/ng145

1.6 x (weight in kilos)127 = 203 approx final levo dose.

So you are a long way from your final dose. You need to dtart driving your treatment with your GPs. Pick the ones you you feel better understand you and are more open minded.

If you end up with a thyroid scared GP and get the answers you dont want then rebook with a dofferent more understanding GP another time.

Don't give up and sit back and wait, keep going with it.

Have you had your vitamins tested and what are you supplementing with?

[BiffAHiram in reply to Jaydee1507]

Only vitamin i heard was tested was B12, which i was deficient. So now take B12 every day.Also take Sea kelp tablets as heard that supports iodine.

[Jaydee1507 Administrator in reply to BiffAHiram]

Why were you deficient in B12? Often this is due to being vegan or vegetarian.

If you are neither of those then you need to discuss with your GP about pernicious anaemia.

Has your B12 level been retested since you started supplementing?

What type of B12 are you taking and how much?

If other vitamins have been tested then please post their results. You are legally entitled to a printed copy of your results, ask at GP reception. In England you can get the NHS app and ask for permission to see your blood results on that by asking at GP’s reception.

Could you ask your GP to test levels of ferritin, folate, B12 & D3? Private tests are available, see link for companies offering private blood tests & discount codes, some offer a blood draw service at an extra cost. thyroiduk.org/testing/priva...

There is also a new company offering walk in& mail order blood tests in London, Kent, Sussex & Surrey areas. Check to see if there is a blood test company near you. onedaytests.com/products/ul...

Only do private tests on a Monday or Tuesday to avoid postal delays.

[BiffAHiram in reply to Jaydee1507]

Apologies, its not B12, its Vitamin D i was deficient on.No tests for folate or ferritin have ever been done AFAIK.

[Jaydee1507 Administrator in reply to BiffAHiram]

How much vit D are you taking? If GP has prescribed you will need to buy your own supplement after loading dose is finished.

So along with retesting thyroid levels you need to push to get the rest of the vitamins tested. Post results when you have them.

[thyr01d in reply to BiffAHiram]

I think kelp causes skin problems in some people. I also wonder if your skin problem might be an autoimmune condition because I have Hashi's and an ai skin condition. GPs can prescribe steroid cream though you have to be careful around the eyes.

[Anthea55]

Levo works best if your nutrients are optimal. Most doctors haven't a clue about nutrition. You may find it helpful to consult a nutritionist.

BANT are the "British Association For Nutrition And Lifestyle Medicine" at bant.org.uk/

You can find a therapist using practitioner-search.bant.or...

I find it's really helpful to have sorted out my nutrition and my food intolerances. My nutritionist said that if you sort out nutritional problems then any medical problem will present more clearly.