thyroid skin rash - Thyroid Disorders Message Board

kpk · 05-21-2004, 03:32 AM

Anyone experiencing skin rash from medication?
I am taking levoxyl 88mcg once a day.
Originally diagnosed as hyperthyroid. Thyroid removed Oct 2003 (cancer) but understand I am still in adjustment period.
I can't afford to change doctors (HMO) and he doesn't seem to be open to this rash as thyroid related.

Note: I'd appreciate easy to understand replies as I am not into medical terminology.
By the way, I found this welcoming site by a search engine but the skin rash thread which led me here was apparently discontinued.

patience 50 · 05-21-2004, 06:45 AM

Hello KPK, Nice to have U here. I have only been here a couple of months but this board and the people on it are just wonderful. They R full of info and encouragement.

You didn't mention where your rash is or if it is the bumpy to the feel kind or the smoothe to the touch kind. Maybe I should just tell U about mine and you can sort yours out from that.

I have skin discoloration under my jaw line and running down my neck to my collar bone. I also have a rash type problem on my chest where the sun hits and on my arms and legs. I know a few other hypo T people and none of them have these symptoms. When I asked the board they didn't seem to have them either. So I just asked my Dr. about them last week and she said this would tend to indicate some form of auto-immune disease. We know I have some arthritis since I was a child but the rash only developed in my late 30s. Dr. at the time said it was a hormone deficiency of some sort and not to worry about it. Now, new Dr. says we need to find out what it is. I am being tested for 27 auto-immune diseases from arthritis to Lupus and M.S. It is a little scarry but I recently found out I had a hidden heart problem so at this point I feel not knowing is worse than knowing. All things are worth asking about. According to my Dr. many things that are potentially serious begin with mild skin rash. Ask about it. I can't say that your rash isn't asst. with the thyroid but my Dr. says no.

Good luck and God Bless.
Patience 50

midwest1 · 05-21-2004, 06:51 AM

Most of the thyroid meds contain fillers, binders, and dye - the stuff that holds the active ingredients together and creates enough bulk to make a pill. It wouldn't be the active ingredient that you're allergic to; but if you're sensitive to one or more of the other things, you might experience a rash or other allergic reaction.
If you can definitely connect the onset of your rash with the start of your med, this is probably what's happening to you. Many people in the same situation benefit from switching brands.

kpk · 05-22-2004, 08:19 AM

ANYONE want to share some STORIES about BRAND CHANGE?
midwest1 and patience 50
I will definitely inquire about brand change. I'm confident my primary care physician will support my asking thyroid doctor to consider change. Non-active ingredient info helpful.

Midwest1, it's a bit scarry thinking I might be "jumping from the frying pan into the fire" and also being reminded "You asked for it."- especially, when it apparently takes a long time for changes to appear in thyroid blood tests, etc.

My rash is basically red and smooth and covers chest and front of neck. I usually get welts from insect bites and the rash sometimes has welts, particularly if I scratch. It does not usually itch but hurts if scratched.

Was sent to dermatologist who took biopsy - benign. I recall talking about pet, mold, etc. but not auto-immune diseases. I moved to this basement apartment in 2002 (economics) and it may have triggerred diagnosis of asthma later that year. (Asthma was diagnosed early on and no attacks. A daily puff of Advair has worked fine.)

As I have a follow-up appointment with dermatologist and will definitely inquire about auto-immune disease aspect. Gee, Patience 50, I hope your tests prove helpful.

Blessed4Life · 05-22-2004, 09:33 AM

I have a skin rash that won't go away. It gets better but never goes away. I was just (this past Wednesday) dx with hyerT but I have been followed by a rheumy for 2 years because of high risk and symptoms for Lupus. Well my rash is on my face (cheeks, nose, forehead), back of neck, and sometimes on my arms (top near my shoulders) during the summer. I am very sensitive to direct sunlight. The rash for the most part is fine, small bumps but on my nose they are bigger. The rash is very dry. My daughter asked me this morning why i have dandruff on my face.

I also discovered a few weeks ago a dry "patch" on my pelvis (well on the side at the line where pubic hair ends and my leg begins. It only itches sometimes. I showed my gyn but she said she didn't know what it was and give me a prescription for cortisone. It isn't flaky. It is just very dark and dry around the edges.

Well, if anyone has some answers or has a similar rash, please let me know.

Blessed