Itching with no rash - Hashimoto

[thisandthattoo]

Hi all, I have noticed that every now and then (seems to be very random) my shins, forearms and lower back itch almost uncontrollably, but there is no rash. I have a Hashimoto's disease and was wondering whether this is a symptom? Booked doctor's appointment next month so will definitely let them know about this, but wanted to check if anybody else experienced this. As far as I know, I have no allergies that would have caused it, although didn't get tested properly as it does happen intermittently.

[greygoose]

I would say quite definitely a hypo symptom, yes. I get that too, but less than before diagnosis/treament.

[FallingInReverse]

For me it’s a few spots… recurring. Zero physical aspect to it. Neuropathic itch, maybe like a fibromyalgia.

I used to get a cold patch feeling on one place on my thigh. I concluded that was nerve related as well.

I also have various skin issues : ) rosacea, allergy/hives.

Most of this is related to my hypo and gets better when treatment optimal.

Just my experience.

[jgelliss in reply to FallingInReverse]

For sure. I'm glad you figured out what causes your issues. Dr's will never tell you this. Thank you for sharing your experiences.

[FallingInReverse in reply to jgelliss]

If I could tell you how many allergy experts wasted my time … the skin scratch tests, allergy medicine, EpiPens, for decades.

The very first allergist I saw probably had it right… like 30 years ago, he was probably 75 years old… and he told me I had some Latin phrase that translated was “Allergy of Unknown Cause”.

So technically not sure if I figured out what causes anything lol… but this board has through our collective experience has taught me that nerve itches and physical skin problems have indeed gotten better with my Levo treatment .

😁

[jgelliss]

Interesting that your posting about it. I found that in the winter cold months I experience the itching too. It can be either the cold weather we need to raise a bit our thyroid meds because cold weather makes our skin dry and itchy. Or something we are eating that can be causing it too. I go up in the winter 12.5mcg T4 or 5mcg T3 to my regular dose. Very small increases can make huge differences. Best wishes.

[FallingInReverse in reply to jgelliss]

I was also going to mention dry weather and dry skin! A little baby oil in the shower helps : )

Before I was diagnosed there was one winter where I worried about MS or something more nefarious because I kept dropping things. Things I was holding would fall out of my hands. I figured out that it was actually the dry weather making my hands super dry and things would more easily slip out of my grip.

[thisandthattoo]

thank you all, hearing that it can get better puts my mind at ease 😊

[SlowDragon Ambassador]

very common with Hashimoto’s to develop gluten intolerance on replacement thyroid hormones

Are you on gluten free diet

If not get coeliac blood test via GP before considering trial GF

Poor gut function can lead leaky gut (literally holes in gut wall) this can cause food intolerances.

Most common by far is gluten.

Dairy is second most common.

A trial of strictly gluten free diet is always worth doing

Only 5% of Hashimoto’s patients test positive for coeliac but a further 81% of Hashimoto’s patients who try gluten free diet find noticeable or significant improvement or find it’s essential

A strictly gluten free diet helps or is essential due to gluten intolerance (no test available) or due to leaky gut and gluten causing molecular mimicry (see Amy Myers link)

Changing to a strictly gluten free diet may help reduce symptoms, help gut heal and may slowly lower TPO antibodies

While still eating high gluten diet ask GP for coeliac blood test first as per NICE Guidelines

nice.org.uk/guidance/ng20/c...

Or buy a test online, about £20

Assuming test is negative you can immediately go on strictly gluten free diet 

(If test is positive you will need to remain on high gluten diet until endoscopy, maximum 6 weeks wait officially) 

Trying gluten free diet for 3-6 months. If no noticeable improvement then reintroduce gluten and see if symptoms get worse

chriskresser.com/the-gluten...

amymyersmd.com/2018/04/3-re...

thyroidpharmacist.com/artic...

drknews.com/changing-your-d...

Non Coeliac Gluten sensitivity (NCGS) and autoimmune disease

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/296...

The predominance of Hashimoto thyroiditis represents an interesting finding, since it has been indirectly confirmed by an Italian study, showing that autoimmune thyroid disease is a risk factor for the evolution towards NCGS in a group of patients with minimal duodenal inflammation. On these bases, an autoimmune stigma in NCGS is strongly supported

nuclmed.gr/wp/wp-content/up...

In summary, whereas it is not yet clear whether a gluten free diet can prevent autoimmune diseases, it is worth mentioning that HT patients with or without CD benefit from a diet low in gluten as far as the progression and the potential disease complications are concerned

restartmed.com/hashimotos-g...

Despite the fact that 5-10% of patients have Celiac disease, in my experience and in the experience of many other physicians, at least 80% + of patients with Hashimoto's who go gluten-free notice a reduction in their symptoms almost immediately.

Similarly few months later consider trying dairy free too. Approx 50-60% find dairy free beneficial

With loads of vegan dairy alternatives these days it’s not as difficult as in the past

Post discussing gluten

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

Recent research in China into food intolerances with Hashimoto’s

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

More interesting Chinese research on Hashimoto’s and leaky gut

nature.com/articles/s41598-...

[thisandthattoo in reply to SlowDragon]

thank you SlowDragon, I had intolerance to both dairy and gluten when younger... was on gluten free diet for about 8 years, and endoscopy confirmed my gut was fine, managed to reintroduce gluten safely so wouldn't have suspected it a factor - but it would make a lot of sense! x