Drug Allergy Skin Rash (Top voted first)

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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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30

I had major problems with this drug. As soon as I started taking it I told the doctor that I thought I was having a reaction to it. I have had major allergies to all pollen and some drugs. He told me that no had problems to keep taking it. As the months past, I continued to feel missable, At first I thought it was in my mind then Spring came in the South with all the tree pollens. I didn't know if I would make it. Rash, diarrhea, low engery and I could continue. Finally went to doctor and said I was going to stop synthroid. He said he would try the natural version, but was upset due to paperwork. I was placed on Tirosint. Tested for allergies for synthroid. The test came back positive. The doctor said he was sorry and that I was his first case.
I had explored the Internet and found that a compound from a tree is used to make the pill stay together. This tree is found in Africa. I was allergic to that tree. I had never been tested for that tree since I live in North America. Warning: if you have major tree allergies like me, this pill could cause you more harm than good.
Yes, my doctor had to do lots of paper work,but now my insurance has been forced to pay for Tirosint. Now I am beginning to feel like a human.

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27

I am replying to the most recent post hoping this is still an active site. I am at my wits end with my hypothyroidism. I have gone from 0.375 to 250 much of Synthroid in the last few years and have continued to suffer with rashes all over my face , arms and chest, facial flushing, burning sensation in my skin, numbness in my fingers and toes, constipation, extreme fatigue, abnormally heavy menstrual periods, anxiety attacks, shakiness, depression, hair loss, and now my blood sugars are out of whack because I've been on and off steroids for two years. I've gained weight and have been having a horrible time seeing. My vision is blurred to the point I do not feel safe driving. I have allergies to everything green, as well as allergies to heat and vibration, and contact allergies to bacitracin, neosporin sulfate, nickel and one other thing that is pretty much in 70% of health and beauty products. I now have elevated liver enzymes and have asked my doctor to test me for Hashimotos Dz and today I left a message about possibly switching to Armour Thyroid. I'm lucky to have a wonderful family doctor. I have more luck with him than the allergist. My blood sugars are under control now due to lowering sugar and increasing protein, but all the vegetables I eat are supposedly no no thyroid foods. I've done gluten free but my tests for celiac allergy were negative. We've eliminated my medications one by one, those that we can....Bumex, Lodine, now trying Cymbalta. I was anemic and have been taking vitamin d, potassium and magnesium. I have 2 herniated and 9 bulging disks and there has been no success with any therapies or injections. I've been on narcotics for 14 years. I am not a surgical candidate. I haven't even been able to have my shoulder replacement or carpal tunnel surgeries done because they keep finding things wrong. I do suffer from OI, brittle bone dz and have had probably a hundred fractures if you count every toe. I'm a medical professional myself, but with all the problems I've not worked for many years. I have anxiety attacks just preparing to leave the house but do not like taking Ativan. I don't sleep because of the chronic pain, and when I do its with a cpap mask. I have sweats at night as well as leg cramping. I'm just so tired of this day to day battle which I feel like I'm losing. Reading these posts have given me hope that maybe there is help for me out there. I've honestly considered the Mayo clinic, just to see if they could look at the big picture. My husband is military so I'm blessed to have good insurance and no issue paying for prescriptions. If anyone has any suggestions or comments I welcome anything and I'm happy for those of you that have gotten results. I'm sorry I was a bit all over the place but I'm mentally and physically exhausted from all this. Thank you and God bless.

I also have several pictures of the different types of rashes, bumps and flushing for the past 3 years.

Meds:OxyContin, Atenolol, Allegra, Hydroxizine, Gabapentin, Synthroid, Flexeril, Cymbalta and two eye drops one for itching, the other Steroidal and for past 4 weeks Prednisone
PRN Meds: Dilaudid, Midrin, Ativan, Ambien (I avoid as much as possible)
Allergies: Sulfa, Celebrex, Mobic, Norvasc, Sensitivity to Lasix, HCTZ, Roxycodone

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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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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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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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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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25

I am so glad to see all these posts and know I'm not alone! I have been broken out for about a week with a terrible rash all over my body and I look like I've had measles or chickenpox (pharmacist even thought it could be shingles!) and it's driving me mad!! Nothing helps but I might know why now. I have continued taking my meds (which was a new prescription at new pharmacy last week) and not letting it get out of my system. Between the prednisone shot and pills it's a wonder I'm not committing unkind acts!

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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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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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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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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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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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21

google it and you will be able to find that it is contradicted in anyone with ragweed or grass pollen allergies! I have both! I just started taking it and my face is itching, my nose is stuffy and my eyes are itchy and watering! Benadryl for me and a call to the pharmacy!

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22

I ended up going to my Dr. and he he agreed that itwas def an allergy to the Synthroid. He had me stop it and take a steroid pack for a week. The rash cleared up so it was no dooubt the Synthroid. I am giving my body a chance to clear out and I will try the generic Synthroid and see how I do on that. He is willing to switch and try anything that will work.

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33

Get tirosint. It's straight levothyroxine. No fillers. I suffered for YEARS in misery. Miserable existence. I'm also allergic to pork, so armour nor naturethroid worked for me. Tirosint has been a God send. My kids have their mama back and my husband has his wife back. Praise be to God for sending me to a NEW Doctor. God Bless you on this journey

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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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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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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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