Does Levothyroxine Cause Acne (Page 2) (Top voted first)

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I have been taking 25mcg for about 6 weeks and feel much better, no weight loss, but no gain. I have developed acne on my chin and around the right side of my mouth...is this a side effect? Anyone else had this happen?

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87

I've been taking a low dose for about 6 weeks and I'm having horrible acne problems. I've been getting huge pimples under the skin all around my chin and jaw. It seems that's few new ones appear every day. I have dry skin and haven't had acne for decades. This acne doesn't seem to get better on its own. I tried soaking them in hot water, no luck. I tried tea tree oil soap, no luck. Tried acne gel, no luck. It's so frustrating. My face in general also seems swollen.

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91

I've been taking Levothyroxine for several years and never had issues with acne until a year ago when my doctor prescribed a higher dose. Now I get acne all over my chin, corner of mouth and even forehead. I've never had acne problems, not even as a teen. Thanks to all of your testimonies I feel much better knowing that it's not anything that I am doing wrong, but the pills. I will have a talk with my doctor to try to come up with a solution.

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105

Hi there I started levothroxine 6 years ago beacuse i couldnt get pregnant and got told it would help as i was slightly on the low side , firstly was put on it 25 mg then it went up from there basically I got severe acne on my face and back chest near enough every where as i got pregnant quick i put it down to hormones , but after having the baby it still was a problem, went to the doctor told him my concerns that levothroxine was causing acne he said that it was in no way the cause so I got referred to dermotolgy and started taking istrotreion I went through hell on it and after the course had finished it came back so I thought screw what the doctors says he scared me to not stop taking it he said my hair would fall out and bad thing would happen !well omg wish I had took my own advise earlier after coming off levothroxine no more cystic out breaks my skin is recovering slowing from acne scaring I had beautiful skin before I took this drug , all in all I hate this drug and it also made me put weight on and cause anxiety depression hope this helps if you are going through what I have been through . I also would like to add I just didn't stop at once I weaned myself off levothroxine as if you do it suddenly can be dangerous I had awful withdrawals but it was worth it no more painful cystic acne .God luck with your journey x

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108

You are a fool if you accept cystic acne on your face as if it is normal. That's all I've got to say.

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8

I just started taking Levothyrixine about a year and a half ago and now all of a sudden I started breaking out really bad. Ive had acne before but never this bad. Do you think it has to do with Levothyrixine??

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9

Yes, I never had acne (except during my teens - I'm now in my mid 30s) and then exactly 1 year after being on levo 75mcg I have painful cystic acne and its scarring very badly. Docotors also said it has nothing to do with the medication... hormones checked out fine too. Their solution is birth control or accutane to fix it (neither are ideal options for me)

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12

me too 4 weeks zits on the left side and these are not budging so they look as if they are here to stay

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16

I have been on 50mcg of levothyroxine for 3 months and also have started breaking out on my chin and around my mouth. Hope it gets better.

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17

I have been on Levothyroxin 125MCG since Agust 2011. I had my thyroid removed because of cancer. They want me on this high dose for at least a year to prevent any regrowh of cancer(if there is any left). I took the radioactive iodine so the cancer should be gone. Taking this high does in almost like have low thyroid. Lot of the sam symptoms.
I too have gotten acne on my back shoulders. This sucks. Not on my face though. so I can hide it. But while all the other woman are wearing cute little tops with there sholders showing i am all covered up. Sucks.

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54

To my post above. I'm on 50mcg, not 50mg. I am 59 years old, and this is ridiculous.

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60

Wow! Very glad I read this thread. I have been on Levothyroxine for the past 5 years with worsening acne on my chin, around my lips and on my forehead. It is cyst-like and painful. I have always had good skin and this acne is worse than I have ever had. I am 41 so this seems ridiculous to me to have an acne problem this bad now. In an attempt to figure out what is going on I had my hormone levels checked with no unusual imbalances. I changed birth control to low hormone and even put a filter on my shower head to get rid of chlorine in case that was causing the problem. I have changed how much sugar I take in as well but nothing has worked. It occurred to me that the acne started when I started the Levo. I am subclinical so I don't really need to be on it so after reading this thread I think it's definitely time to switch or just stop taking the stuff. Thank you all for posting your experiences! I am certain you have helped my situation.

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62

i have been on Levothyroxine for about 6 mnths now, as soon as i started on my lowest dose i began to get big boil like spots in clusters around my cheeks by my nose.
Now I am on 100mg and i have these spots on cheeks, by mouth on chin and forehead, No treatments seem to be working and I am seriously considering stopping my medication. This has knocked my confidence badly.

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69

Try nmixing a paste of baking soda and apple cider vinegar. It worked great for me! I could tell a difference the very next day! I made a paste and scrubbed my face with it; rinsed it off; patted my face dry; then applied paste to direct spots for overnight. You'll have to wash your pillowcase, but boy, it is worth the trouble! At least it was for me. Good luck!

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72

I was put on levothyroxine and broke out with cystic acne on my face, neck and chest. I would wake up in the morning and around my eyebrows would be very red and itchy. Doctors said it had nothing to do with the meds but I asked them to put me on armour thyroid anyway and it clear up right away. Recently I ran out of my armour thyroid and started taking the leftover levothyroxine until the armour script gets filled and right away starting breaking out in all the same areas as before. So my conclusion is that it definitely is the levothyroxine causing this

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79

yes, I'm so glad I found this site. About a month after taking 25 mg. of Levothyroxin I began breaking out on my face, mainly my cheeks and lower part of my face. It is so frustrating because I cant get rid of it. I do feel so much better on the medicine, but my face is driving me crazy.I've never had acne and I am so upset about . It's nice to know others are having the same problem. Every day it's a new spot...UGH Going to mention it to my doc and see what he says. I'm already on a low dose, so not sure what to do. He'll never convince me that it isnt the medicine though.

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80

I was told I had Hypothyroidism and put on Levothyroxine. I never had acne, not even as a teenager and now in my mid-20's it is terrible! I have cystic acne that is painful, and it is scarring and there seems to be more everyday. After about 2 months I stopped taking the thyroxine and instantly my acne got better but of course, I felt terrible, all my hypo symptoms came back so I started taking it again at a lower dose, no luck. Now 4 months later I've been doing a lot of research on raw thyroid. Most doctors won't prescribe it because it is not FDA approved and therefore pharm companies won't make money. It is also a little harder to find, but you don't need a prescription and Wal-Mart has it online (only). This is not a solution for everyone but it is working for me, my hypo symptoms are gone and my face started clearing up within two days of switching. Different things work for different people but do your research!!!

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89

I started levothyroxine 5 weeks ago. I have been getting breakouts on my chin. . Once one clears another one appears. Not your usual acne either. Large red welts. Is this common?

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90

I hear ya. I am 46 and started taking my medication again and i have been breaking out horribly from it. Didnt realize what it was from so looked it up and seen all these posts. I hope it passes. Mine are 75 mcg

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92

I am so glad I found this page. I have been on Nature-Throid for almost two years. I went to an endocrinologist to verify my levels and she stated that I needed to lower the dose and she wanted to switch me to the Levothroxine telling me it is safer. I am 56 years old and until recently had nice, clear skin as I take care of my skin using anti aging products and facials on a regular basis as well as a decent diet. After almost 3 weeks I noticed breakouts of cystic acne on the side of my forehead, cheeks and chin area. It has to be the medication as I haven't broke out with acne since my early twenties. I think I will be going back after this trial period of 6 weeks and go back to the Nature Throid. I did not get acne from that.

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99

There is no doubt in my mind that levothyroxine causes cystic acne. Just started taking it the first of the year and immediately broke out. No more levothyroxine for me. I'll take my chances.

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