This feels a bit random to ask here as I'm not even sure that it's thyroid-related necessarily - but does anyone else get really (sometimes borderline unbearably) itchy all over - especially at night? And, does anyone have any ideas about why might this be happening, or suggestions for how to alleviate this?
It's been really bothering me for at least the last couple of years, but itchiness was also an original symptom of my Graves' when I was first diagnosed. It seems to have made a real comeback in recent years. It feels like a prickling under my skin - on my scalp, arms, back, and legs especially. The strangest thing is that, unlike with my pre-TT Graves', now it is far, far worse at night.
Any ideas would be really appreciated!
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lau99
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I had insane itching on my arms and shoulders for years. Very bad at night. Felt like hundreds of pin pricks under the surface. My doctor tried all obviously drugs and then I went to a dermatologist who diagnosed Brachioradial pruritus. But ask your doctor to refer you to a dermatologist.
Unsure about vitamin D (though I suspect it's likely a bit low), but my most recent result for Ferritin was 88 (30 - 150) and B12 was 498 (145 - 569). I wasn't able to get a folate result because the sample had haemolysed, but I know it's been low in the past. I currently take Vitamin D, and recently Thiamine, as I read that it could be good for gut issues.
Many, many (most?) patients on replacement thyroid hormones find they need to supplement vitamin B complex continuously to maintain optimal B vitamins
With serum B12 result below 500, (Or active B12 below 70) recommended to be taking a separate B12 supplement
A week later add a separate vitamin B Complex
Then once your serum B12 is over 500 (or Active B12 level has reached 70), you may be able to reduce then stop the B12 and just carry on with the B Complex.
If Vegetarian or vegan likely to need ongoing separate B12 few times a week
Thorne Basic B recommended vitamin B complex that contains folate, but they are large capsules. (You can tip powder out if can’t swallow capsule) Thorne can be difficult to find at reasonable price, should be around £20-£25. iherb.com often have in stock. Or try ebay
IMPORTANT......If you are taking vitamin B complex, or any supplements containing biotin, remember to stop these 5-7 days before ALL BLOOD TESTS , as biotin can falsely affect test results
In week before blood test, when you stop vitamin B complex, you might want to consider taking a separate folate supplement (eg Jarrow methyl folate 400mcg) and continue separate B12 until over 500
Post discussing how biotin can affect test results
That's interesting - thank you for sharing. Funnily enough, my T3 is currently at the top of the range, though I'm clearly not feeling 100% better for it 😅
Thinking back this was before I had joined the forum and seen the light so it would have been low T3 and all the other vits and mins as I was on my knees.... you're right though it felt like something under the skin... a few of HB's suggestions sound likely cause for me
yes, I get this itching all over my body, my head, face , back, legs and arms. Mostly at night. Body oil helps a little, but obviously that no good on my head. I’ve just started using Gruum bar shampoo and conditioner to see if that helps.
It's comforting to know that I'm not alone in this at least 🥲 It feels like it isn't quite my skin itself that's itchy, but under it, somehow? So I'm not sure that topical products will work for me...
1) Insulin resistance or becoming diabetic and being untreated.
2) Low B12. In order for the body to make use of any B12 you have you need adequate folate, so if folate is low it could possibly be an issue related to B12 but the problem may actually be caused by low folate.
3) I have very recently stopped eating gluten again. The itching I had has diminished in severity.
suggests thyroid disease as a possible cause for itching (amongst other possibilities). Assuming that you have a thyroid disease of some kind, you might need a higher dose of treatment.
I'm also itching a lot of the time. I have a sensitivity to elastic so get itchy if I wear tight clothing next to skin or rubber gloves for too long. If I get bitten by an insect I get itchy everywhere. This has got worse as I've got older or I am more aware of it. Not sure? That also coincides with being hypothyroid.
The itching gets worse at night but I've been diagnosed with Lichen Sclerosis which causes me often unbearable intimate itching at evening/night time which isn't a pleasant experience. Using steroid creams to try to alleviate that but also an antihistamine on the evening.
Itching is a neuropathic symptom for me which signifies low cellular B vitamins. I had stopped itching (along with many other weird neuro symptoms) after many years as I had gone numb instead. Now I'm getting treated with B12 injections the numbness is improving and I've gone back to itching.....
Hi there - I used to have this and it was my liver due to me not being diagnosed with thyroid deficiency and the liver was struggling to detoxify what I ate or drank (not alcohol as I have never been able to drink as I can't metabolise it - haven't had a drink for over 50 years when I realised what was happening) but if you are on thyroid hormone sometimes if we have had a lot of food with Vitamin A or citrus fruits late at night for our evening meal that can be going through the system when you want to get to sleep - it can also be low B12 - well the tingling type sensation is B12 low or gluten issue but the overall itching is something else.
I get it on and off - I had dreadful pre tibial oedema prior to diagnosis with atrophic autoimmune thyroiditis which is like graves but ends up as hypothyroidism. If it gets unbearable I take an antihistamine. I read it was down to cytokines which are something immune related - going wrong again I guess 🙄 why after 12 years?
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