acne/rash possible from syndthroid

[tdmoody]

I switched from Armour in Jan of 2011 and since then I started having breakouts on my face.  I've been to 3 dermatologist and some say rosacia, adult acne ect...  I since then been ruling out stuff and no matter what I do it still in full force.  I've been on antibotics - creams - retina - and nothing seems to be working.  I never had issues with my skin prior to this and now I have dark brown spots all over my face because of it.  I don't believe it's adult acne because in the morning it seems fine but as the day progresses it get worse and get's red, burns and itches.  I've been doing extremely well on the synthroid and will hate to stop but if it is what can i do to control the out breaks.  
1- I've changed my make up
2- laundry soap
3- facial products
to help rule out these factors but nothing seems to be working....

[tdmoody]

I went and got that product by California baby and it does feel good but time will tell

[tdmoody]

well - it was going well and in the evening it flared up a little bit -  

[tdmoody]

it's amazing -  I didn't take my synthroid today no burning no itching no reddness -  the inflammation is down -  I took my armour and seems to be ok!  I will continue to rule out if the synthroid was the cause to give me this rash/dermatisis on my face.

[gimel]

Be aware that being an Endo does not assure that he is a good thyroid doctor.  Many of them specialize in diabetes, not thyroid.  Also many of them have the "Immaculate TSH Belief" and only want to rely on TSH to diagnose and medicate a patient.  Others use "Reference range Endocrinology", by which they believe that test result that fall anywhere within the so-called "normal" range is adequate.  Both of these approaches frequently result in patients with lingering hypo symptoms who then become members here.  LOL

A good thyroid doctor will treat you clinically by testing and adjusting Free T3 and Free T4 as necessary to relieve symptoms, without being constrained by resultant TSH levels.  Symptom relief should be all important, not just test results.

You can confirm what I say by reading the letter in this link.  the letter was written by a good thyroid doctor for patients that he consults with from a distance.  The letter is sent to the PCP of the patient to help guide treatment.  

http://hormonerestoration.com/files/ThyroidPMD.pdf

I would ask the Endo if he is going to be willing to treat you clinically as described.  Also ask if he is wiling to prescribe T3 meds.  If the answer to either is no, then you should keep on looking for a good thyroid doctor.

[tdmoody]

thank you so much - I will schedule an appt with the endo and forward my test results to to him.  I've been having my ob gyn manage my thyroid but I should go for a follow up w/ the specialist.  To rule out what you mentioned above :)  

I'm skipping my meds today to see what happens to my face today.  I woke up and the inflammed rash / acne is ok, no itching or burning.  It has to be an allergic reaction.  

Thank you

[gimel]

Sorry, I forgot to give you this link to typical symptoms.

http://endocrine-system.emedtv.com/hypothyroidism/hypothyroidism-symptoms-and-signs.html

Are they testing you for Free T3 and Free T4, or Totals.  If you aren't sure I'd expect it is Totals, unless you can call and get them to change it.  

Your thyroid produces mostly T4 and some T3.  the only reeason you might need Cytomel would be if your body is not converting the T4 med adequately.  

Have you been tested for Hashi's?  Those tests would be for the thyroid antibodies, TPO ab and TG ab.

If the rash and acne is due to Synthroid, there is the possibility that you are reacting to the filler material used in Synthroid.  We have occasionally heard from some members that they had to switch brands of T4 med, due to having various allergy type reactions.

[tdmoody]

no - I was not dx w/ hashi's - Yes, I agree with the T3 and T4 - I will get the results most likely next week and forward to my endo. for review.  My thyroid may not be able to produce T4 and a friend who is an internal med doc said there's a possibility I would need cytomyle?  spelling?  I didn't do all that great on Armour and I feel so much better on Synthroid it's just my face has this rash/acne -  Derm's keep dx's it as adult acne? rosacia ect... but I never had facial acne issues until after I started Synthroid.  I'm on 1 other medication that I'm questioning also and its adderall.  But, I was on the adderall when I was taking Armour.  So, that's why I leaning torward the Synthroid.  

[gimel]

Well, if the 120 mg of Armour was required to relieve symptoms, I can tell you that your dosage of Synthroid is not anywhere near the same.  Rule of thumb is that one grain of Armour (60 mg) is equivalent to 75 mcg of T4 med.  Your Synthroid dose is only about half of what you were getting before.  the adverse effect would be even greater if you are not converting the T4 to T3 adequately.  

So you really need those tests done.  You need to be tested for Free T3 and Free T4 (not the same as Total T3 and Total T4).  If the doctor resists or makes excuses, just insist on FT3 and FT4 and don't take no for an answer.  You especially need to know the level of FT3 to see if is low in the range, consistent with being hypo.

You didn't respond to the question about Hashi's.  ????  

[tdmoody]

I'm on 75 mg of synthroid currently
I was on 120 armour

I just had my blood drawn today and will have my results back next week.

constipation
ringing in the ears
acne/rash -
alot of the other symptoms are gone - cold feet - moody - tired - loss weight since change -

I switched because the endo- said that the synthroid was better than the armour and didn't recommend me being on it.  I actually feel so much better since the switch.  Back in March of last year it occurred to me it could be the synthroid but I wanted to rule out the others first and nothing seems to be making a difference.  Actually, the rash/acne has it's good and bad days.  I'm considering going off the synthroid for a few days and see if the rash clears up.