Please can anyone tell me if they have ever experienced itching / burning all over skin due to thyroid related illness.

[Silvers]

[sporty333]

I think I did and I do. Less of the burning now but certainly pin prick itching :0/

[Cinnamon]

I had four months of terrible itching on my back last year. Nothing the GP prescribed had any effect. Finally go rid of it with calendula cream.

[nightingale-56]

Hi Silvers, I get itching and burning when I have some antibiotics and am still suffering 5 years after taking antibiotics for a UTI. Originally had Trimethoprim which caused spots on my scalp and itching all over and then two years later Tetralysal to try and get rid of the spots (diagnosed as acne necrotica) for 18 months which caused spots to be covered by glue -like substance for which I now have to see dermatologist on 8 February in the hope that they can sort this problem. Feel strongly it is all something to do with thyroid problems.

[Plumfairy]

my feet burn at night when I get into bed and my scalp and shoulders itch.

[sarahstevenson]

My mum often complained of this especially her feet. Used to use cold packs to alleviate but not advisable to get them too cold.

[NV70]

Yes! I am still waiting to see the Endo (they lost the referral!!) but I was initially referred to the allergy specialist for Urticaria (hives) that I have had for the last ten years. The allergy specialist tested my thyroid as the two can be linked but he didn't really expect it to show anything. However, it appears my thyroid is overactive. My itching has changed - it's worse now than ever and a new issue is a horrible prickling/itching sensation particularly over my shoulders and upper back when I lean forwards (to put socks on etc) and also, more annoyingly, when I'm lying in bed. It's a horrible feeling - almost painful - and anti-histamines don't seem to touch it - I'm now taking 2 a day to see if it makes a difference. And the answer is, not really. Not for the prickling anyway.

[Kangagirl]

I had a red raised itchy rash (sometimes numerous tiny bumps under the skin, sometimes raised red spots, one time they all joined together into a rather fetching purple patch - but always hot and madly itchy) on the bottom of both legs on and off for about three years - only relieved by Dermovate, which I don't really like because the skin becomes very thin. Also had it intermittantly on my back. Didn't connect this with HypoT or Levo until I had a bad adverse reaction to Levo (after being on it for 12 years), and had to come off it. Looking back, the rash had started round about when my levo was increased from 100mcg to 125 mcg. After stopping the levo, the rash disappeared.

Over the past 9 months have had real problems finding a replacement for the levo that I could tolerate for more than a few days. I tried T3 and two different NDTs - even tried 4 times to go back on levo - but felt so bad I had to stop. Disappointingly the rash did resurface a few times during all this on and off dosing. (Sometimes when taking nothing, so even more mystifying). Now finally on a very small dose of T3, and still have to take a day or two's break about every two weeks. Really don't know if it's helping or not. I'm just trying to find something that I can at least tolerate, given up hoping for a magic bullet. I'm hoping that even the small dose will eventually make a difference.

Unfortunately the bumpy itchy rash has come back (but only on one leg so far which I suppose is an improvement ) but it has got bigger, now going almost from ankle to knee on the outer part of my lower leg. It's not only red and itchy but sometimes quite hot and painful. In the end I had to break out the Dermovate again as nothing else seems to even put a dent in it.

For me, the rash is something I could put up with if I can find something that will make me feel better generally. But I do worry about what might really be causing it and it's pretty uncomfortable.

Not much help for anybody, but rashes of one kind or another seem to be par for the course.

Kanga x

[Silvers]

Oh me this itch / burning has been driving me slowly insane over the past 18 months. I have tried soooo many anti histamines and an anti d tablet that helps people who have had chemo for cancer and hardly anything touches it. I take 1.5 (7.5mg) Zoplicone to help me sleep. The itching gets worse at night and we can't have heating on for long as it makes it worse.

I bought the Aveeno shower gel and moisturising cream and it seems to be helping. I have also changed my diet and have a spinach smoothie in the morning and just had a shot of apple and fresh ginger juice. Thankfully we have a Vitamix to make the lovely smoothies and a friend bought me juicer approx 6 years ago and we have just used it for first time. I try and get some exercise every day but I work four days a week, look after my gorgeous granddaughter on a Friday and also care for my 85 year old dad (do his washing, shopping, cleaning etc) so I have a very busy life. xx

[Hidden]

Me too, after starting on levothyroxine, specifically, two circular areas just above both ankles one with raised, slightly scaly skin, the other had visible signs. Weird thing is, that I initially got it on the left leg for a couple of weeks, then it stopped. Then it started up on the right leg where on and off, it persisted, maybe for a week at a time then nothing for ages. Two weeks ago I raised my med to 125mg of levothyroxine and within a week it started up on both legs same locations, again for about a week, then it stopped. Showed it to my doc and he offered that it was varicose veins! Even weirder. The area on my right leg is permanently slightly scaly and very dry.

[Silvers]

I am in UK and my GPs won't prescribe Westhroid, Armour etc. I had to liaise with Dr Myhill in Wales and she is happy to prescribe and my GPs are happy to do blood tests. So if it all goes wrong the onus is on Dr Myhill!!

Just back from seeing new GP and he wants my Ferritin level to be 70 and once there to maintain it. He says that this will also help my slightly low hemoglobin. All this is probably due to my very, very heavy periods. Hopefully once I am on Westhroid this will correct itself.

I have ordered Westhroid from internet so hopefully it will arrive in the next week or so.

Thanks again for all your replies - really appreciate it. xx

[VintageChick]

Hi I have Graves' disease and really bad urticaria. We don't know if it's linked but it seems to be. If it gets really bad it turns into angiodema (large puffy swellings on my face that take 48 hours to go down) and have ended up in hospital twice. My GP prescribes me Cetirizine, the basic over the counter anti-allergy tablets. She has written me a prescription for loads so it's not as expensive as buying them. I take one in the morning and one at night and it mostly keeps things on track. if I feel like my face is going to puff up I take a Piriton tablet as this is on the only thing that work for the big swellings. I also use Boots aqeuous cream which helps. I've only just come in the 'normal' TH4 range and am hoping that the urticaria will eventually slow down. At least I can now wear jewelllery for short periods and even scarves as long as it's not for more than an hour- tricky in this weather! Good luck.

[hairyfairy]

I find that my skin is itchy & very dry at times, & Iv`e had these scaly patches at the tops of my legs for years now. moisturiser doesn`t help.

[smelly]

Yes i would say the itching is definately related. It feels like i have ants crawling over my back at times. But there isnt anything raised when you look. Its not so bad now but do get weird areas that randomly itch like my knee or my hands. I use essential oils to relieve it, making up blends of sweet almond oil geranium, lavender, and frankinsence.

I also make sue i take omega 3,6,9 fatty acids every day.

smelly

[lynda1]

I get itchy / dry skin and it has improved greatly since my GP prescribed washing and moisturising in Dermol 500 lotion.

[GiGiPen]

I had a very itchy back following thyroid cancer surgery, The doctor initially diagnosed scabies - my husband and I had to cream all over twice but there was no improvement. Eventually I started using Cetraben all over after showering and I have seen a great improvement. I certainly am aware if I miss a day!

[Scarfred]

Hi Yes and it's getting worse right between the shoulder blades bang smack in the middle. With my siff arms and shoulder and neck, I can't even scratch it. Also on the scalp, and what is left of my near existent eyebrows.