Vencamil, severe itching

[Redforme]

I have been taking 75mcg Vencamil for just under 3 months. My dose 100mcg on Accord showed I was hyper, fast heart rate, no sleep, burning hot. I am suffering from severe itching on arms and back, waking me up and driving me mad. Dr prescribed an anti fungal wash I have used for 2 weeks with no improvement. I also have little red dots appearing but fade within a day or two. Just had my bloods done, results are:

Free T4 18.8 (11.9-21.6)

TSH 2.96 (0.35-5.5)

Free T3 5.1 (3.1-6.8)

I am disappointed my Tsh has risen and really at a loss as to where to go from here.

Anyone experiencing itching with Vencamil or increase in TSH? Please help

[TiggerMe Ambassador]

Not aware of anything in Vencamil that might cause this, could it just be that the reduction is too much which is why your TSH has increased.... I'd suggest alternating 75/93.75mcg if you quarter 75's, you would have thought the Accord which contains lactose would have been more of an issue with you being lactose free?

TSH 2.96 mIU/L (0.35 - 5.5) 50.7%

Free T4 (fT4) 18.8 pmol/L (11.9 - 21.6) 71.1%

Free T3 (fT3) 5.1 pmol/L (3.1 - 6.8) 54.1%

T4:T3 Ratio 3.686 

Less than optimal thyroid levels make my shins itch like crazy 😵‍💫

[Redforme in reply to TiggerMe]

Thank you, that’s very interesting. I sent bloods off to my Endo and he wants me to stick with 75mcg, bit disappointed but without his say so Dr won’t change prescription

[TiggerMe Ambassador in reply to Redforme]

What do you latest bloods look like?

[Redforme in reply to TiggerMe]

TSH 2.96 mIU/L (0.35 - 5.5) 50.7%

Free T4 (fT4) 18.8 pmol/L (11.9 - 21.6) 71.1%

Free T3 (fT3) 5.1 pmol/L (3.1 - 6.8) 54.1%

These are my latest bloods

[TiggerMe Ambassador in reply to Redforme]

Sorry, thought you meant he had more/ different results.... So you need to contact him and explain the symptoms that the reduction has caused and get him to approve a small increase, with a TSH of nearly 3 you are very definitely Hypo

[Redforme in reply to TiggerMe]

That’s what I thought, I sent them to him but he said all good, no need for an increase and try and see a dermatologist which will be months away I guess

[TiggerMe Ambassador in reply to Redforme]

Plan B, say you are going on holiday to get an early prescription or you have left some somewhere 😉

[Jaydee1507 Administrator]

Have you also checked key vitamin levels and now supplementing them to good levels?

What supplements do you take?

How did you take this test - time of day and when was last dose of Levo before the test?

[Redforme in reply to Jaydee1507]

I stopped all supplants for 2 weeks to see if that was causing the itching. I take vitamin d k2, b12 and magnesium. Have t had them tested since last Nov but they were fine then.

I had bloods taken at 8.15, I didn’t take my thyroxine that morning

[Jaydee1507 Administrator in reply to Redforme]

Most people need a B complex, otherwise you will be missing folate. 2 weeks is too long, a week is plenty, also nothing you mention contains biotin, so no need to stop those supplements.

Have you tried eliminating gluten and or dairy to see if that helps the itching?

You could try a different brand of Levo.

Try a dose inbetween 75 & 100mcgs.

[Redforme in reply to Jaydee1507]

I’m lactose intolerant so have been dairy free for a long time, I haven’t tried gluten free. I kicked up such a fuss begging for Vencamil because it is lactose free I really don’t think my GP will entertain a change to try another brand. My pharmacist said he has never heard of Vencamil causing itching and is very well tolerated. Thank you for your reply, I’m totally miserable

[Jaydee1507 Administrator in reply to Redforme]

Most* people tolerate Vencamil well but probably not all.

Definitely worth strictly eliminating gluten to see if that helps.

[Redforme in reply to Jaydee1507]

I will thank you for the reply, I’ll try anything