Has anyone's skin gone dry with hypothyroidism?
Posted , 6 users are following.
Hi people, I was just wondering if anyone's skin has gone dry and if this is a problem that people with hypothyroidism have to deal with?
I was diagnosed in April 2013 and prior to diagnosis I kept on getting really dry skin on my face. My skin was soft and more oily... It's more dry and it takes a while for spots to disappear
I have been on levothyroxine since April 2013 and it has only been one month since my thyroid level has been in a normal range of 0.6. Will my skin go back to normal or will it tend to be more dry than before?? Hope someone can help
0 likes, 11 replies
Teeteee
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Kristina1991
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pippa22119
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I can heartily recommend a couple of facebook groups that will give you a ton of info, tips, ideas and support, and help you realise that you are far from alone.These are, Hypothyroid, (just that word) and a brand new offshoot, (just a couple of days old) Hypothyroid UK for patients here in UK.The former is international and will give an insight into what is happening all over the world re treatments, research, support etc, and what is out there for help, and the latter for our peculiarity in UK re treatments, tests, etc -etc.
mvwaugh
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Kristina1991
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I think I only had problems with my thyroid for a year.. I started to lose weight and because I'm quite slim it was more noticeable and loads of my hair started to fall out so decided to go to the doctors as I knew there was something wrong with me. I've only been on treatment for 9 months and it's only been a month since my thyroid level has been in the normal range.. The doctors have told me everything will go back to normal so I guess I will have to wait and see if things improve
Kristina1991
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mvwaugh
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pippa22119
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Oh if only that was usually the case! Unfortunately most do not find that this is the case, but we try to live our lives around the disease, and thank god that we don't feel as bad as before diagnosis. But back to normal!? I haven't spoken to even one sufferer who has reported that.
I am not telling you this to upset you, but to prepare you!(I really do feel Docs should be told not to say this to patients, it is misguided at best, cruel in generality.)
Having said all of this, you may be in the silent minority where getting back to normal is true!!
If not, like I posted above, there are groups out there to support!
God Bless! xx
Kristina1991
Posted
What other symptoms are you all experiencing? My hair is falling out, my skin is dry, I'm not putting my weight back on despite eating properly (I somehow lost weight with an underactive thyroid but I'm quite petite and don't feel I look healthy) and I've started getting hot flushes that went and have now come back I'm fed up and I've only had this since last April I just don't understand how there is not a proper cure out there. It baffles me! X
pippa22119
Posted
1) If you haven't already, start up a journal, a little diary, of all your symptoms, appointments, tests done, results etc.
2) read up everything about testing protocols here in UK but also internationally aswell, to give you full overview.
3) Make sure you find out your test results from your doc, they have no right to keep them from you, and don't let them fob you off with 'in the normal range'/'not in...', you want the numbers.
4) Ask the doc what lab range they are using. (generally here, the range is 4.5-0.4. The former is on the hypo end of range, the latter to the hyper end.) Sometimes Docs are Waaaay behind the times and use ranges that are completely out of date.
(you don't need to have them print it out, they may charge to do so, but jot it down, (in your journal) and keep it.)
5) If you are on facebook, join those two groups I mentioned above. You won't believe how much info, help and support you can get there, IN REAL TIME!. If you aren't on FB, join!! You can be as private as you like on it, almost anonymous indeed, but it will give you access to these groups, where you can just read posts or interact as little, or as much, or as not at all, as you like!
6) Look at the Thyroid UK site, which is a wealth of info for UK patients and fights for us.
7) Try and get the test for hashimotos, not that you will get a different treatment, (we are only ever given Levothyroxine here in UK without having one hell of a fight), but you will have fluctuating symptoms and results, ranging from hyper to hypo, and your doses will need to follow this pattern.
Docs basically don't bother testing for this, but without knowing, it leaves you in a nomansland of understanding yourself and your reactions, and at the mercy of (sorry to say it) usually total lack of knowledge and interest by most docs. (Not saying anything about YOUR doc who may be good, but if so is in a minority regarding this disease.)
Overall, and in short, find out as much as you can about your disease, treatments and testing and become your own advocate. Your Doc will respect you if you show you have gleaned knowledge and understanding of your own disease, and will work with you. If he/she doesn't GET A NEW DOC!
Much love and hugs. (JOIN THE FB PAGES, you'll not regret it!! ) xxx
pippa22119
Posted