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What Causes Severe Skin Dryness While On Levothyroxine?
Question: For the past several weeks I have had chronic itching on my torso. It started with the back and has moved to the front as well. I have tried several lotions to no effect. Any thoughts on what this could be and what I should try for relief? My only medical condition is hypo thyroidism. This was detected 20 years ago and I was put on 100 mg of levothyroxine. When we started this it immediately relieved a back itching problem (that I thought was dry skin due to winter conditions). Wondering if it is possible that I need to raise the dosage? I have tried 150 mg the last couple of days but doesn't seem to have done much.
Brief Answer:
A defenitive diagnosis is required
Detailed Answer:
Good day,
Noted your concern. Hypothyroidism usually leads to a more generalized itching. Hence itching confined to torso is unlikely to be due to hypothyroidism. You could try 1% hydrocortisone cream for temporary symptomatic relief, but a definitive diagnosis is essential for a cure. . Any watery lesions or blisters in that area? Any scaly patches? Any areas of reddening?I would appreciate if a photograph of the area can be provided.
Please be aware that increasing the levothyroxine dose is not advisable with out checking your TSH. I would suggest to go back on previous dose of 100 mcg and recheck TSH after few weeks. If the TSH remains elevated, you may increase the dose after consulting your primary care doctor. Otherwise, it is not recommended to increase the dose just based on skin dryness/itching.
regards'
Binu
A defenitive diagnosis is required
Detailed Answer:
Good day,
Noted your concern. Hypothyroidism usually leads to a more generalized itching. Hence itching confined to torso is unlikely to be due to hypothyroidism. You could try 1% hydrocortisone cream for temporary symptomatic relief, but a definitive diagnosis is essential for a cure. . Any watery lesions or blisters in that area? Any scaly patches? Any areas of reddening?I would appreciate if a photograph of the area can be provided.
Please be aware that increasing the levothyroxine dose is not advisable with out checking your TSH. I would suggest to go back on previous dose of 100 mcg and recheck TSH after few weeks. If the TSH remains elevated, you may increase the dose after consulting your primary care doctor. Otherwise, it is not recommended to increase the dose just based on skin dryness/itching.
regards'
Binu
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
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