Drug Allergy Skin Rash

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I have been suffering from a drug allergy reaction for 5 months. This has been confirmed by skin biopsies. I have discontinued all my meds except Synthroid and I am still breaking out with skin rashes. I was switched to the dye free .5 tablet - I take 2 1/2 tablets . I want to discontinue the Synthroid for a few months to test if I am allergic to it. My doctor says no, do not discontinue and he will not switch me to a natural thyroid hormone. He does not want to believe that I can be allergic to this med. I called several other doctors and they said they do not prescribe natural thyroid hormone. What can I do? I need to know if I am allergic to this. Can I stop it for a while? What else can I take that is not Levothyroxine? Please help.

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1

The only sure way to know if synthroid is causing the allergy, would be to discontinue the drug for a few days. Half life of the drug, meaning the length of time that 1/2 of the dose is eliminated from the body is 6 to 7 days. If the allergy goes away, then re-start the med, and see if the allergby comes back. If it comes back, after going away, then it would indicate that you were allergic to this med.

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2

Hi,
I never heard of anyone else that had an allergy to the synthroid like I do. I figured it was the dye in the pills, and now I take either the .50 and alternate to get the correct dose or now there is a new drug Tirosint that is a colorless gel cap. I broke out in hives from my knees down.

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3

Update: I stopped taking all thyroid medications for 8 weeks and it turned out that I am allergic to all pill forms of Thyroxine, -- dye free, generic, different brands-- levoxyl, Synthroid, Unithroid etc. After 6 weeks, the rash/hives went away, much to the surprise of all my doctors.
The only form of thyroid hormone I can take is Tirosint.
Lyn, It is nice to know that I am not the only one with a drug allergy to Synthroid. All the best.

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4

Have a Question a little off topic, why do the Dr.'s refuse to prescribe the natural thyroid any longer? My daughter was born without a thyroid gland, took the natural for over twenty years with NO problems, has had problems ever since they make her take the synthetic crap. We too would like to find a better Dr., who would listen to the patient.

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5

I'm experiencing rash and hives from taking Armour Thyroid, a natural thyroid. I've used it for many years without problems. Recently, feeling that 60mg was not sufficient, I started taking an extra dose every other day, and found my energy returned. Having an exam and lab results, TSH was 2, I asked my doc if I can double to 120mg. Increasing the dose had me feeling great but soon itching and rashes developed. I did the start and stop testing on the extra 60 mg and it is the thyroid. Going back to 60mg/day does now cause itching but that resolves with an anti-itch cream. I don't feel as good as I had on the increased dosage. I'm hoping to find an alternative.

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6

I don't know if people are still posting here, but any success stories I'd be very interested in in how to get rid of this rash. I have had these red, itchy bump/rashes for over a year and have tried the 50 dye free and doctors will not listen or help me for that matter. Dermatologist did a biopsy and confirmed it was related to thyroid- while endocrinologist will not even see me again since lab work fell in ranges.

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7

Wow...I do have sensitive skin to begin with and was recently started on the lowest dose of Synthroid. About two months into it, labs were great and I lost a little stubborn weight and had more energy, etc. but I developed a persistent skin rash with hives on my back, arms, outter thighs and calves and a caustic feeling burning and bright red rash on my hands and wrists, mostly on the right. After 4 dermatology visits and treatment, the normal "temporary cures" did not work. The tormenting itching, intermittent hives, and burning continue. I plan to safely discontinue the Synthroid and wait patiently for a couple of weeks to see if there is improvement. The above mentioned Tyrosint sounds good. I will update after my trial of no meds. Thank you everyone, for your input and sharing of experiences.

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8

Hi Tessa, I started taking levothyroxine 100mg tablets six months ago. Like yourself I suffer from severe skin rash, hives and itching. Before taking medicine my weight increased and I felt really tired all the time. I am now in a dilemma as I want my weight of but does that mean I have to suffer the side affects? Do you know if there is any other treatment out there? Would love to here from you.:(

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9

I too am allergic to synthroid - actually I am allergic to one of the fillers in synthroid. The filler is actually acacia tree and I have horrible seasonal and animal allergies. I just switched to tirosint and noticed ,my allergies got a lot better. I am amazed that no one else has brought this up at my doctors office. I feel so much better after switching..

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10

few days back i had suffering from dysentry followed by skin problem located in lips,inside mouth,head of my penis.I used to take metronidazole,tinidazole,ornidazole type drug as anti dysentry drug.On the third occasion i doubt that there is a co-relation between my dysentry and skin problel.It just like a swell skin inside some fluid looks like after brun injury.Now is it due to the mention drugs? If so what are the remedies?And what should I take in case of further i dysentry?

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11

I rcently found out that I am allergic to dust, mold, cat dander, feathers, weeds, grass and oak trees. Last week a had a severe allergic reaction to amoxicillain. I am having my allergist test me for the recation to the amoxicillian (my family Docters request) I am also going to have my allergist test me for a recation to the synthryiod. I have read that reactions can be like hay fever. I was toldby the allergist office, if I brought in the synthriod that could make a serum to test me. I am wondering if the reaction to amoxiciallin was alos due to a filler. I have been on synthriod fr about a year before that generic for about three years before that Armour

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12

The dosage is based upon weight, so as your weight changes a different size tablet is available proportionally. Example: 200lbs. = 125 mcg tablet.

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13

Due to depression and weight gain, was diagnosed with hypothyroidism in the late 80's. Synthroid was prescribed but about ten years later, levothyroxine was prescribed. I remember the doctor telling me it was a generic form of synthroid. During the first ten years (approx), I had no issues. I lost my excess weight and depression gone. During the last ten to fifteen years, since I've been taking Levothyroxine, I've had bouts of allergies, terrible rashes, some breathing problems...actuallly a lot of the symptoms listed online. I never paid any attention then that it might be the Levo that was causing all of this. I had mentioned this to my doctor but was only told the rashes and hives .. etc. were definitely not caused by Levo........ I believed her. With my recent rash outbreak....again!...I now think it all might be due to Levo....med and will be printing these above stories for my doctor to read. I'm going to stop taking the med for a few days to see if I get relief. If I do, I'll be insisting on a change. Thank you all for your comments!

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14

It is not according to weight, but need for the hormone. They start with a small dose and then continue to raise it until your thyroid hormones measure properly.

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15

Don't give up! While some are allergic to the food dyes (use 50 mcg that is dye-free and just increase qty of pills taken), and for others it's porcine (Armour), other ingredients, specifically the acacia, might be the culprit for those who are known to have suffered with seasonal allergies. So please, do your due diligence by researching the manufacturer's list of inactive ingredients of the prescription you're taking.

I have had hayfever since the first day of preschool and later in life, after being prescribed synthroid, began having ridiculous itching everywhere with no apparent cause. Finally narrowed it down to an allergic reaction to the acacia in the levothyroxine I was taking mfg by Lannett. I found another local pharmacy who offered generic Mylan as the manufacturer and whose ingredient list did NOT contain acacia as an inactive ingredient.

Allow a few days to clear acacia from your system but the switch to the Mylan mfg worked in my case.

Alternatively, there is another relatively new Rx called Tirosint, a liquid capsule mfg with very few ingredients but for many without insurance, it is often cost prohibitive.

Good luck to you.

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16

CLARIFICATION: meant *the generic Rx levothyroxine mfg BY Mylan. (Not *generic Mylan).

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17

Hi Tessa, I would love an update!

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18

I would do it anyway. I found out I'm allergic to synthroid and the generic form as well. My Dr did not believe it either so I stopped taking it for a month. Sure enough my rash cleared up. After being back on it for 4 days I started breaking out and itching again. Since there was nothing else I could take I'm now taking allergy medicine along with my synthroid. Its been 2 years and that has been working fine.

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19

When I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism I had never noticed any symptoms. After they put me on synthroid, I started feeling a little strange, couldn't sleep, fast heartbeat, etc- my thyroid was getting worse! The weird thing was my symptoms were like those experienced by people with HYPERthyroid, but my blood was still reading HYPO. The more meds I got the worse I felt & the worse my #s got as well. The doctors would not listen & then my body finally broke out:( at that point I just told my doc that I was going to go see a natural healer! My doc was not happy & told me not to take iodine NO MATTER WHAT THEY SAY! It was the first thing my chiropractor/kinesiologist put me on. I had to take as many as 27 natural supplements a day, but after about 4 months my thyroid was normal, & I felt great again!!! The number of supplements has gone down to only 2/day & my bloodwork has been perfect for over a year! My doctor really didn't like any of this, but she can't actually MAKE me do anything:) it wasn't long before my results proved that there are other ways to treat a thyroid, believe me- my doc was shocked!

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20

Which allergy medicine are you taking with the Synthroid? I broke out in a itchy rash all over my arms and back and trying to figure out if it is from Synthroid or a Probiotic. I have a problem taking antihistamines.

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Re: Josie (# 4) Expand Referenced Message
Aemour brand is made dirextly from bovines but the dosage is inconsistent because of the source of the peoduct natural. I have used synthorid over levothyroxine for30 years- byt the Mylon brasnd Levothyroxine is recc.by my new doctor as free from lactose.

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42

See if your pharmacist will give you another "brand " of the same medication.
I am having a similar problem.
I think it is one of the ingredients.

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41

I took Tirosint for 3 months
Felt wonderful first 2 months then 3rd month had terrible vertigo for 1 hr every morning. Searched online as this side effect wasn't listed . But 82% of women over 60 got Vertigo as a side effect.

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40

Armour gives me a face rash n rapid heartbeat, synthroid gives me rapid heartbeat, rash in my eyes, fainting spells, tremors,, now I'm taking nothing n I feel better, I heard of wp thyroid, now to find a dr that will prescribe it is the tough part. Drs want a one size fits all med for the patients, sorry drs, you have to b more open minded,no body knows our bodies better than ourselves n we r the ones feeling all the side affects of the meds, n it can get dangerous for us.

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39

I always seem to get a rash from any generic medication that I've taken so I make sure I receive the brand name of the medication to avoid fillers. That works for me every time.

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38

I also have been taking synthroid for 30 years. I have scars on my arms, back and chest from all the sores I have had over the years. I am just now finding out about a filler in the synthroid that may be causing the problem. Good luck.

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37

I'm sorry to hear what you have gone thru all this time. I realize now that my body just rejected all thyroid meds. I went thru alot of fainting spells, stomach problems, chronic fatigue, depression, anxiety, panic attacks, itchy every where, muscle weakness, I would go blank, fast heartrate, trouble thinking, cloud on my head. I felt better when I quit the thyroid medication, but I felt after effects for a while for dropping it, cuz drs did not want to take me off the thyroid medication. Drs say once u start thyroid medication, it's for life, but I felt it was killing me. I stopped it n it took me a while to recover. The after effects r horrible but I'm still here, all my left side is a little weak since the Mini stroke I got from thyroid medication. Drs give up on me n see me as a problem patient. I would rather listen to my body, I know my body better than the drs. I take natural things. But I'm actually functioning now, more energy n more alert. I told one Dr, if you go by the book with me, you will kill me due to sensitivities.

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36

I'm allergic to every thyroid medication out there. I've tried all dosages, I've even tried armour, I'm allergic to the pig. I get a rash, itchy all over my body, extreme fatigue to the point of fainting. I'm very sensitive to drugs. Now I'm taking nascent iodine, one drop every 4 days. Feeling better. Most drs do not want to here that a person can be sensitive to drugs. If your reacting to a drug, stop it before it kills you. Thyroid meds were killing me, I even had a mini stroke with thyroid meds, listen to your body, your body tells you when a drug is not helping you, only making you feel worse.

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35

So glad you posted this - use 50 mcg that is dye-free and just increase qty of pills taken. i have been having itching like craze for the last four months and went to three doctors no one could tell me why, did a biopsy and alot of blood work. I have been taking synthroid for the last 30 years (had my thyroid removed at a young age) i have been on the 150 (blue tabs) for about 18 mos and the last 4 months terrible itching and a rash. The allergist just told me last week it could be the dye in the syntroid so i have switched to the 50 mg a week ago and already see a huge difference. I have never heard of this before and so thankful others have written about this as well.

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34

I take name brand synthroid every other day 75 and 88. I had a sever allergy problem for the last 6 years. What is the name of the tree ???

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