Rash

[GravesGirl]

Hi Doc,
   I noticed early this afternoon, a slight rash on my lower legs, around my knee only on one leg and on my knee and lower on the other. Kind of patchy and a little itchy. I've been on Tap about 1 and a half years,I've been on a little higher doses  before this too with no problems. Do you think it could be the Tap? The only thing I can think of is a stool softener I took this morning which is half red and half white. It had red dye in it, is it more likely this? Thanks for any info. I'm just worried about any liver effects? I know rash is a side effect of the Tap too.

[Mark Lupo, M.D.]

It could be the tapazole.  A rash does not mean liver problems.  It does not sound like Graves related skin problems (usually isolated to shin areas, not knee).  The red dye would not increase the chance of a tapazole related rash.  Rash may occur at any time during anti-thyroid drug treatment.  It could also be due to the stool softener - the timing seems to indicate that possibility.

[GravesGirl]

Doc, does the rash ever mean the dose is too high? Do you think I should have my labs taken? I don't go back to endo till end of April.