Just wondering if there’s a link. I’ve got fair skin and had a tendency to flush bright red since being a child. I got told I had rosacea in my 20’s but it was manageable and no real treatment offered. Currently with the cold snap but central heating on the skin on my face feels so tight and tender. Redness is something I always have. My hypothyroidism is managed now with good levels on a combination of NDT and T3. On HRT too. GP thought thyroid treatment would sort rosacea out but it hasn’t and still have tendencies towards Raynuards too. Is rosacea linked to thyroid or another autoimmune disorder entirely? Some research seemed to think it was due to gut function. I don’t know if I’m intolerant of dairy or wheat but don’t eat tons of either. Anyone else suffer from facial skin redness and burning?
Is rosacea linked to thyroid hormones? - Thyroid UK
Is rosacea linked to thyroid hormones?
It could be due to dysbiosis, so you could check for SIBO/IMO, or food intolerances, or MCAS, and it’s not unusual to get all those things with hypothyroidism. It’s helpful to recognise all the triggers. It might respond to the right antibiotics from your GP, or you could get treatment from a dermatologist. Good luck.
Thanks, I tried tetracycline from a dermatologist and Soolantra from GP which worked to a degree but never fully resolved it. I was recommended red light/photo dynamic therapy by dermatologist but he didn’t offer therapy and I never found anywhere to have this done. I think stress is a huge trigger and possibly food intolerances, though I don’t have common symptoms of any of those like IBS, headaches or sickness etc. I’ve heard of SIBO but not IMO or MCAS. It’s so difficult to work out triggers though and Zi suppose I need to focus on one thing at a time. Currently trying to get my vit supplements sorted. I was supplementing with 4000 iud vitd daily but that doesn’t seem sufficient for me so upped to 6000 iud and adding in 400 mcg methy folate daily too now. Thyroid supplementation isn’t too bad now but just added in testosterone into HRT regime. I feel like I should be a new woman with everything I’m taking but it doesn’t seem to work like that! 😂
IMO is intestinal methanogen overgrowth, and MCAS is mast cell activation syndrome.
I used to. But not since I've been optimally treated on T3 mono-therapy. I think there's a link, I've seen rosacea mentioned on some symptom lists. Maybe your treatment just isn't optimal.
Thanks. The GP seemed hopeful it would resolve with thyroid replacement. Currently on 1 1/2 grains NDT and one tablet T3 daily and my thyroid hormone levels are good. My folate’s low so waiting on some supplements to start. I think conversation can be affected by this and vit d was a bit low in spite of supplementing so upped those. I have been really, chronically, stressed recently. Parenting teenagers encapsulates it! Just feeling fed up with the skin redness too. I don’t think winter extremes are helping. I don’t get pustules just redness and discomfort.
These are my most recent blood results with the thyroid replacement regime I’m on currently.
TSH^Thyroid Stim. Hormone ^ASET pathology^IMMUNOCHEMISTRY^^
0.270 - 4.2
mIU/L
0.027
FT3^Free T3 ^ASET pathology^IMMUNOCHEMISTRY^^
3.1 - 6.8
pmol/L
5.1
TPEX^Thyroid Peroxidase Antibodies ^ASET pathology^IMMUNOCHEMISTRY^^
0 - 34
kIU/L
154.0
TGAB^Thyroglobulin Antibodies ^ASET pathology^IMMUNOCHEMISTRY^^
0 - 115
kIU/L
717.00
TB12^Total Vit B12 ^ASET pathology^IMMUNOCHEMISTRY^^
145 - 569
pmol/L
482
FOLA^Folate (serum) **^ASET pathology^IMMUNOCHEMISTRY^^
>7
nmol/L
12.0
TEST^Testosterone ^ASET pathology^IMMUNOCHEMISTRY^^
0.101 - 1.42
nmol/L
<0.087
FAI^Free Androgen Index ^ASET pathology^IMMUNOCHEMISTRY^^
0.187 - 3.63
%
NC
FTEST^Free Testosterone ^ASET pathology^IMMUNOCHEMISTRY^^
0.001 - 0.02
nmol/L
NC
SHBG^Sex Hormone Binding Glob ^ASET pathology^IMMUNOCHEMISTRY^^
27.1 - 128
nmol/L
121.0
Biochemistry
FT4^Free Thyroxine (FT4) ^ASET pathology^BIOCHEMISTRY^^
12 - 22
pmol/L
13.5
VITD^25 OH Vitamin D ^ASET pathology^BIOCHEMISTRY^^
50 - 250
nmol/L
78.4
Total 25(OH) vitamin D < 25 nmol/L is deficient.
Total 25(OH)D of 25-50 nmol/L may be inadequate in some people.
Total 25(OH)D > 50 nmol/L is sufficient in most individuals.
Total Vitamin D level >250 nmol/L - indicates potential for toxicity.
Please note change of reference range 23 Oct 2022
Routine chemistry
FERR^Ferritin^ASET pathology^ROUTINE CHEMISTRY^^
30 - 264
ug/L
208.00
CRP^C Reactive Protein (high sensitivity)^ASET pathology^ROUTINE CHEMISTRY^^
<3.0
mg/L
0.942
ALB^Albumin^ASET pathology^ROUTINE CHEMISTRY^^
35 - 50
g/L
45
Endocrinology
LH^Luteinising Hormone ^ASET pathology^ENDOCRINOLOGY^^
IU/L
43.4
Male - LH (IU/L)
1.7 - 8.6
Female - LH (IU/L)
Follicular 2.4 -12.6
Ovulation 14 - 95.6
Luteal 1.0 - 11.4
Post-meno 7.7 - 58.5
Please note change of reference range 23 Oct 2022
FSH^Follicle Stim. Hormone ^ASET pathology^ENDOCRINOLOGY^^
IU/L
63.7
Male - FSH (IU/L)
1.5 - 12.4
Female - FSH (IU/L)
Follicular 3.5 - 12.5
Ovulation 4.7 - 21.5
Luteal 1.7 - 7.7
Post-meno 25.8 - 134.8
Please note change of reference range 23 Oct 2022
OEST^17-Beta Oestradiol ^ASET pathology^ENDOCRINOLOGY^^
pmol/L
233.0
Male - Oestradiol (pmol/L)
41.4 - 159
Female - Oestradiol (pmol/L)
Follicular: 114 - 332
Ovulation: 222 - 1959
Luteal: 222 - 854
Post-meno: < 183
Please note change of reference range 24 Sept 2024
PROL^Prolactin ^ASET pathology^ENDOCRINOLOGY^^
102 - 496
mIU/L
384.0
Please note change of reference range 23 Oct 2022
Not just your folate that is low. Your B12 should be higher - at least over 550. Are you taking a good methylated B complex? That would be the best way to raise levels.
You're on a pretty low dose of thyroid hormone. Only about 19 mcg T4 and, if your T3 tablet is 20 mcg, only 24.5 mcg T3. Your FT3 is FT3: 5.1 pmol/l (Range 3.1 - 6.8) 54.05% only around mid-range, and most people need it higher than that. So, perhaps you are under-medicated.
Thanks on 1 1/2 grains 60mcg NDT plus 1 tablet 5mcg liothyroxine daily. I now take b vits every other day, igennus, only 1 tablet but still turns my pee luminous so I assumed it was too much and dropped to alternate days. I ran out of methly folate so waiting a new batch. I know my vitd is low too so advice was to up that from 4k to6k iud daily and add in the folate. I think I need to work on my vits then maybe suggest trying levo at next appointment. I’ve gone from taking nothing to suddenly taking lots of things which makes me a bit anxious. If I try do too much at once too I won’t know what’s working. I shall start with trying to improve my vit levels. Thank you for taking the time to reply. It’s very helpful.
1 grain of NDT is 60 mg, not mcg. I.5 grains is 90 mg. So, that's about 50 mcg T4 and 18/19 mcg T3. Not a very big dose. You probably need more.
It's B2 - Riboflavin - that turns pee luminous green/yellow. And apparently that means that your body is absorbing it correctly, not that you are taking too much.
I’ve gone from taking nothing to suddenly taking lots of things which makes me a bit anxious. If I try do too much at once too I won’t know what’s working.
If you're only taking what you need, then there's nothing to worry about. And you should only start one thing at a time, leaving a gap of about two weeks before starting each one.
Are you taking magnesium and vit K2-MK7 with your vit D?
Thanks. I’ll see what next bloods are and what we can do at next appointment. Most recent summary said aiming to get T3 to 55 or above. It’s 51 currently. I suppose doses have to be increased slowly so the sweet spot isn’t missed. I’ve been on thyroid hormones 12 months now and vitamins etc and adding in HRT. I feel better but still having some symptoms so makes sense that maybe things aren’t at optimal levels yet. I’m making notes from this post to raise at the next appointment. Thank you.
I think you mean 5.5. 
Yes, you have to increase slowly, but you shouldn't be aiming at any particular number because that number might not be right for you. You should aim to keep increasing until your symptoms are all gone and you feel well. And that might be with an FT3 a lot higher than 5.5 - might even be slightly over-range. This is one of the silly mistakes that doctors make. They don't understand that we're all different with different needs. And whilst 5.5 might be perfect for some people, it could very well be too low for others. Optimal is not a number, it's how you feel.
Thanks, that’s reassuring about the b vits. I was only taking 1 and not 2, which is the recommended dose, in any event.
Yes, taking d with k2 MK7. I tried a different brand to see if that helps re absorption but still taking more than 4k vit d daily but on GP instructions.
I’m not taking magnesium. I haven’t got my head around when’s best to take this and if I’m taking my other current vitamins at the optimum times. I can’t face breakfast so am just taking them with morning coffee which might not be best…
I bought igennus triple magnesium complex but not sure about the different types of magnesium or even the sprays and when I should try taking it and how I will know of it’s helpful to me? GP’s private bloods don’t measure this. If I add a medichecks test in I’ll probably get even more confused.
I take thyroid medication through the night but currently take the additional 1/2 grain pm. GP said split dose but I’m wondering if I should just take it all together. I’m not sure dose splitting makes any difference tbh and she said just take main NDT dose and T3 together. If I’m only on a low dose anyway it probably doesn’t matter providing it’s on an empty system for maximum absorption.
All of this stuff still seems complicated. I take progesterone in the pm too.
Vit K2 doesn't help with absorption of vit D. I know some people think it does but it doesn't. What happens is that taking vit D increases absorption of calcium from food and the K2 makes sure the extra calcium goes into the teeth and bones and doesn't build up in the soft tissues and arteries. So, you wouldn't feel its effects whatever brand you took.
Magnesium, on the other hand, converts vit D to the form that is usable by the body. If you don't take it, you will deplete your magnesium and that's not a good thing. An interesting article about magnesium:
healthline.com/nutrition/ma...
Most people take magnesium before bed, because it tends to make them sleepy. But tablets should be at least four hours away from thyroid hormones. The spray can be any time you like because it doesn't enter the stomach/gut.
No point in testing for magnesium because of the way the body handles magnesium. It doesn't give accurate results.
You could try taking all your thyroid hormone in one go, see if it suits you. There's no obligation to split the dose if you don't feel any benefit from splitting it.
you might be better off with Levo plus T3 rather than NDT
Ft4 is very low
You could try adding 25mcg Levo as well
High thyroid antibodies
Get coeliac blood test BEFORE cutting gluten out completely
Trial strictly gluten free for 3-6 months minimum
Gluten can be linked to rosacea
medicalnewstoday.com/articl....
Also then try dairy free diet
And lactose free Levo/T3 /ndt
Thanks, I was never given levo. My diagnosis was private as my bloods were within NHS ranges. Private GP suggested I start with NDT so I did. Just added T3 in at beginning of Dec. GP did wonder if I’m a poor convertor and I’m wondering about mono therapy now. I don’t understand what purpose T4 serves if I can’t convert it well. Does it need to be in balance with T3? I’m still confused about ratios of things. Thanks
Many thyroid patients find they need BOTH Ft4 and Ft3 at least 50% through range
Ft4 is storage hormone, there to convert when needed
Levothyroxine also cheap as chips
So if you got on ok with Levo and small doses of T3 that would be far cheaper than NDT
Thanks, I’ll suggest that to GP at my next review. It’s so expensive paying for it all privately. She did mention levo was cheap but also not everyone gets on with it. As I was so fed up of feeling rubbish and being fobbed off by NHS who never found anything wrong I agreed to start on NDT as it had a bit of both hormones in it so seemed the better option. I didn’t quite appreciate the financial commitment at the outset. It seems an ongoing process trying to get things balanced. Last review my vit d was low and folate so trying to improve those with more supplements too.
Mine has completely cleared up since I changed my diet to very low carbohydrate.
Thanks, how strict are you? Are you doing something like keto? I don’t eat many refined carbs and since menopause my appetite seems less, but that could be hypothyroidism. I was trying to focus on getting nutrient dense food into me. I’m at lower end of ideal weight reference and can ‘forget’ to eat as I just don’t feel hungry like I used to do 🤷♀️
I eat mostly meat - beef, lamb and bacon, also eat eggs and oily fish. I'm also a carb addict; Christmas proved a problem for me as I went 'off piste' and I've been feeling generally unwell and seen the return/increase in various symptoms. I'm working my way back to fewer than 5g total carbs per day which is where I feel my best. I have collected many autoimmune conditions over the years, the first is MS then Hashimoto's, rosacea, Raynauds and I believe Sjorgren's and Erythromalagia (but not had these 2 diagnosed as I prefer to use diet as treatment).I have a type 1 cousin and a coeliac niece, there's a lot of AI around in our family.
All my symptoms are calmest when I eat cleanest.
Rosacea has completely gone..but that went when I went keto, so good luck 😊
Thanks, that’s really interesting. I do feel at my best on fruit, veg, fish, meat really but hadn’t made the connection. I snack on cheese, nuts, dried fruit as my appetite has panned. I’m not bothered about bread, cakes, biscuits, I’m more of an incidental/occasional consumer of those. I do have some sugar in dried fruit, dark choc and don’t want to give up daily two coffees with milk habit currently as it just feels to much like deprivation. I don’t drink alcohol now as it doesn’t agree with me. Yes, I now have a cluster of autoimmune issues now. Rosacea, Raynuards, Hashimotos, I wonder about Sjorsens too. I just feel it’s pointless trying to get help for these things via the NHS too. I’m also concerned my antibodies from thyroid testing are really high and don’t want my body in constant overdrive so other conditions occur. It’s quite literally food for thought all this information although I can’t tackle everything in one go as it’s too overwhelming.
I have very fair skin light green eyes and I did have dark brown curry hair but I am now blonde . Typical Celtic colouring as I am half Irish. I usually avoid the sun because I burn and use over factor 30 and sun block on my face
Have you tried taking vitamin c?
Similar here. I’m very fair and burn easily. Factor 50 daily here. Typical skin type for rosacea from what I’ve read. Do you suffer from it? My grandmother had it but she had bump too. I’m just the more redness with occasional pimple.
I did have spots as a teenager so I went on the pill Dianette which is now discontinued. I am past the menopause now so no spots just the occasional chin hair😀
I’m post menopause too but I also read menopausal skin changes can include redness. I’ve always had sensitive, skin which is worse now and dry so whether that’s because of thyroid issues or menopause or both I don’t know. I also had no oestrogen or testosterone post menopause so am on HRT, including testosterone, now too. I have one single, wiry, stubborn, persistent, thick, chin hair but ultra fine hair on my head. Isn’t it all delightful 😂
I have to be careful with skin creams and shampoo because I can have a reaction to some of the chemicals in them
Same here. Fragrance is a no as it upsets my eyes too! Alcohol in products is drying on my skin and I can’t do all this current trend of layering of serums etc. I have to strip it right down and have a very simple routine with basic products like cera vie, altruist etc. I am struggling with skin dehydration more than dryness at the moment but haven’t really found anything that works for me and I’m wary of putting new stuff on my skin at the moment. What products do you like.
L’Oreal mainly but I do use Cocoa butter on my body or coconut oil
I haven’t tried L’oreal. I think I’d just assumed they’d be perfumed which definitely plays havoc with my skin. I use coconut oil, avocado, olive, sesame and castor oils, at different times, on my body. Goodness knows how but my skin seems to drink them up and can still be dry ish. Have you found anything that’s particularly helpful for dehydrated skin please? That’s the issue that I’m finding the hardest to get on top of. Thanks
Coconut oil and cocoa butter works for me
Do you just buy a tub of unadulterated, natural, cocoa butter? That’s one thing I haven’t tried. Do you use it on your face? I have tried shea butter but it’s a bit too thick and difficult to manage. Thank you.
I use the Palmers Cocoa butter
Thanks, I’ll have a look. Do you put it on your face or just use it on your body?
No, I haven’t tried taking vit c. Maybe I should? I’m on a selection of things now vit d 6000 iud daily, methyl folate 40 mcg daily, omegas, vit b complex a few times a week, hrt patches, NDT, T3, testosterone. I used to be wary of taking 2 paracetamol even and don’t feel especially comfortable taking all this stuff but then some say our natural food is so depleted now we cannot get sufficient nutrition from diet. I did buy some oranges yesterday and had half of one. 🍊
I was diagnosed with Rosacea. I had hashimoto’s at the time. But unfortunately wasn’t optimally medicated. I was prescribed a drug for the Rosacea which I took for 11 years I cant recall the name of it right now and it really didn’t help me. Years on I was in a bad way with my thyroid symptoms and after going private only I was prescribed T3 medication alongside my usual levothyroxine. One of the first things I noticed after starting T3 was increased energy and the brilliance that brought to my life and the second thing was my skin. It went from being dry and flaring with sore spots on my face to silky smooth and to this day 6 years on I’ve not had a flare up. It was never Rosacea, it’s proven it was always too low T3 for me.
Thanks. The GP notes from my last appointment mentioned the aim of getting my T3 up to 5.5. It’s 5.1 at last testing. My low vit d and folate might not be helpful to my converting the NDT either. It’s a slow dance getting all this stuff balanced. I feel better in myself than I did. More balanced and less both crushing and crashing fatigue but I can’t say I noticed such a dramatic change upon taking either thyroid medication. I’m menopausal too though which is another set of issues and hormones to try and sort out. It gives me hope hearing about your skin. My GP seemed hopeful it might settle down for me with replacement treatment. Maybe I’m just not there yet with sufficient replacement. I’m going to ask her about maybe trying levo and T3 instead of the NDT.
It is a slow dance as you describe. My journey took years for diagnosis and to feel wellbeing. It was only going private when I finally got the proper help and treatment. I take liquid levothyroxine which is more absorbent and effective I feel. I take 5mcg T3 twice a day 8hrs apart. I have 3 monthly b12 injection now and also take ferris fumerate for low ferritin. It took a while but once all those things became optimal I’ve honestly never felt better in years. I was 42 when my thyroid went wrong and was also in an early menopause taking hrt. I was 61 years when finally I understood what was wrong with me by the help of a brilliant private only endocrinologist. Now at 66 I’ve never felt so energised and symptom free. It can take a while especially dealing with the NHS. I wish I knew years ago of my private Endo. Maybe so many years wouldn’t have been wasted. I really do hope you find our wellbeing speedily.
Thank you. I’m so glad you got to a much better place. Similar for me really. In my mid 40’s I noticed more symptoms and I was coping with them less well. Especially fatigue. NHS never found anything to report and when I hit 50 I assumed it was all menopause. Went on HRT, felt worse, got private HRT and spent 5 years and lots of money faffing around trying to find balance all whilst my thyroid was failing. Unfortunately private menopause GP only looked at/treated sex hormones. By now developed Raynuards but NHS dismissed that too then found a private GP who looks at both thyroid and sex hormones so am on a different journey now. It’s been a decade lost to faffing around and not feeling well. Frustrating really but 🤞 for finding balance now. I’m going to make notes of things to mention at my next private appointment. I feel much better than I did but there’s still room for improvement.
Personally think it's gut related particularly with autoimmune. I have Hashimoto (and rosacea and Raynuards) and currently working on diet to hopefully help it all.
I’m the same and have all 3! I’ve had a really stressful period recently as I got food poisoning and have ongoing stress from teenagers. I don’t think those help. Plus the menopause has ramped up my anxiety. Central heating and the current wintry weather seem to have affected my skin too. I have read about there maybe being a microbiome link. Are you adding in any specific foods, avoiding any or taking probiotics etc?
Is your hypothyroidism autoimmune do you know?
Avoiding gluten and dairy which had lifted brain fog immensely and pain. Also nightshades. Idea is to reset my metabolism too so I can absorb nutrients better, therefore the whole system runs better.
Yes, mine’s autoimmune. Antibodies very high. I’d read about dairy, gluten and nightshades. I don’t have lots of any of those foods but I suppose it doesn’t take much if intolerant. I looked at a low histamine diet but it looked a bit scary and I’m addicted to 2 cups of coffee a day which I have milk in and don’t feel strong enough to give up currently. The easiest thing to cut completely for me would be gluten but the advice on here is always to test for coeliac disease first and I can’t currently face going back to the GP. Have you done an elimination diet and are you monitoring strictly?
I suffered from Roseacea for many years. It was only when I omitted lactose and gluten from my diet that it stopped. I was advised to avoid these to improve my very poor digestion. There is obviously a skin/gut link as thankfully I haven't had Roseacea since.
I was diagnosed with rosacea in May 23 at the age of 67 which is unusual. I was first treated with oral antibiotics ( Lymecycline) for 2 months plus topical antibiotics (Metronidazole)with a review after 1 month. At that point I saw a nurse practitioner at my GP practice who decided as there was improvement to stop the topical antibiotic and prescribed a different cream (I forget the name) By July the rosacea was back. I’m now on my second course of Invermectin. I have the type of rosacea that gives you acne type spots. I’ve been told just to follow the usual NHS guidelines and always use sunscreen, which I’ve been doing anyway. I too am very fair as my mother was Irish. I trying not to use lots of chemicals on my skin which are found in face creams, cleansers etc. I now use an app called YUKA to scan the barcodes of what I buy and it gives a rating out of 100 and tells you what chemicals are in the product and gives details of what the chemicals are and what they are used for. You can also use the app to scan food items if you are concerned about UPF foods.
I don't suffer from burning, just occasional redness. I had acne rosacea before I was diagnosed with an under-active thyroid. I'm now on levothyroxine which is necessary for me to lead a more normal life. But, I do wonder if the 2 are linked. I've been on tetracycline for the rosacea for a number of years. I would rather not have to take the tetracycline but my acne returns if I stop taking it.
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