I have suffered with a underactive Thyroid for many years. My last blood test results came back normal. My question is for as far back as I can remember I have suffered from terrible itching and hives which at times is really sore on the left side of my body also it is starting to effect my vagina. Doctors say it's dry skin but no amount of cream seems to help. Wondering if it could be the thyroid medication I take.
Love to hear from anyone else who has suffered like this
Jennyann
Have you checked with a dermatologist? If it is a separate issue and your regular doctor says it is dry skin without checking anything else then I'd see a dermatologist next.
Hi Jennyann,
did you get a copy of your blood results, as Doctors say they are normal but you need your levels to be optimal.
Dry skin can be a symptom of hypothyroidism and hives can be associated with hashimotos which is the autoimmune type of hypothyroidism, Have you had your antibodies checked to see if you do have hashimotos.
Sometimes people can be allergic to the fillers in the tablets so this is something to look into also.
Why not join TPAUK or Thyroid.U.K. there is lots of advice there and members can offer help.
Good luck.
Hi Jennyann, sounds like you’re allergic to your thyroid medication. Which one are you taking?
The answer is YES! If your skin problems began when you started taking thyroid meds, you are correct to think the meds are the most likely cause of your dry itchy skin. Shoukd be pretty obvious when you bring this up to your docs.
Could be an additive. Thyroid medications contain various allergens- acacia, gluten, corn, dairy, various dyes... you’ll have to check your medication to find out what’s in it. If you can solve the problem by simply switching meds, you’ll be lucky.
Since thyroid medications are not bioidentical, there is an inherent autoimmune risk. Even without the additives, thyroid medications can trigger your immune system. The synthetic levothyroxin is known to cause fibromialgya and lupus- both are autoimmune disease. Levothyroxin is known to cause hypothyroid disease, so it can worsen hypothyroid symptoms, of which dry skin is typical.
I’m sure by now you’re thinking, “seriously?!” Yup, what use is a medication that causes the problem its supposed to cure!? Yup. Seriously.
You’ll want to read the manufacturer’s list of side effects and read the many posts here on levothyroxin side effects that people have experienced- many are not listed by the manufacturer.
Although an autoimmune response is a different type of immune system reaction than an allergy, it isn't too much if a stretch.
Keep in mind thyroid disease is generally autoimmune in nature . Most people with hypothyroid are eventually diagnosed with either Grave’s or Hashimoto’s, both are autoimmune. So your immune system is already delicate. Any additional insult could easily trigger the immune system.
You could try taking an antihistamine. If the itching stops, you know its an allergy.
I’ve had a lot of problems associated with gut inflammation, and related issues, worsened since I was on the levothyroxin. I found it quite odd that both antihistamines and anti-inflammatories both seem to calm the problem. I find turmeric and activated charcoal also seem to calm the problem. It could be that the gut cells are highly involved in thyroxin metabolism and are affected more than other cells.
Then there’s the general thyroid/gut connection. The gut is actually a mucus membrane and is part of the immune system since it is a first defense against foreign materials entering the body - namely food. Many thyroid patients have severe gut issues and use a gluten free Paleo style diet to reduce gut reactions.
Gut problems can lead to improper absorption of foods. This can results in both malnutrition and food hypersensitivities as well as a myriad of other health and gut issues, since foods don't get broken down properly. This can cause allergies. Both the allergies and malnutrition can lead to the skin problems your having. It could be you’re having an allergic reaction along with nutritional deficiencies.
I found the levothyroxin caused liver lesions shortly after starting the medication. I feel this is related to chronic pancreatitis, which happens when your diegestive enzymes produced in the pancreas are unable to get to the gut. Digestive enzymes supplements can offer relief and can imorove digestion and nutrition enormously.
In the end, if you read up on the side effects of levothyroxin, you’ll find it causes every sort of side effect from halitosis to heart attack. The massive list of side effects makes it impossible to sort things out while taking this drug.