allergy to meds

I have been taking thyroid meds for hypothyroidism since 1991 and have had a rash and intense itching ever since.  No one can fix me for long.  Does anyone have any idea what I can about this?  Prednisone clears it up, but as soon as that is out of my system, it comes back.  Creams only help temporarily.  I need a permanant fix.  I am ready to just not take the meds and let what happens, happen.

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,

Allergic reactions to thyroid medicines is rarely due to the thyroid hormone it contains. However, inactive ingredients like the stuff that holds the tablets together can cause reactions like the one you describe.I sincerely advise you to consult your endocrinologist and discuss these symptoms with him.Changing the brand of the medicine and switching to other preparations of thyroid hormone can help.

Hope it helps.Take care and pls do keep me posted on how you are doing and if you have any additional queries.

[Dr. Kokil Mathur]

Hi

Skin rash is a rare side effect of thyroid medication. This may be caused by the levothyroxine in the tablet or by any of the ingredients in the tablets like acacia powder, corstarch, lactose, magnesium stearate, gluten and tartrazine or maybe others in various combination. You can take a scratch test or intradermal test for the ingredients of the tablet. In all likelihood, you are allergic to the other components of the tablet besides the hormone. Once that is identified, you can ask your doctor to prescribe a tablet that does not have that ingredient.

Hope this helps. Please let me know if there is any thing else and do keep me posted.

[ginet1965]

hello there,

I have been dealing with itching for months now.  I have been on synthroid for years.  and i have been taking reactine for over 3 months now.  2 days ago i ran out of my meds and i have had no itching and yet i need my meds.  i am happy to see that there are others like me.  I was starting to cut alot of things out of my diet.