Does synthroid cause cystic acne?

[Upstatemom]

My daughter was placed on synthroid back in mid October 2013. Soon afterward she started complaining about her face started breaking out really bad and no topical medication or store face wash was working? It seems like an allergic reaction. Dr. finally put her on ampicillin, but it is still not working nor is any prescription topical medication. Can anyone please offer help?

[ahmee]

My acne was at my worst when I was hypo. In addition to vitamin A and D from cod liver oil, I also take zinc, which has shown in trials to be as effective as many antibiotics prescribed for acne.

Do you have any recent thyroid bloodwork results to post? ie, Free T3, Free T4, TSH with reference ranges. It would help us discern whether the issue is over- or under-medication.

[bedheadblonde]

I noticed I break out more-not just face, but back and shoulders-when I have too much thyroid hormone in me. It could be just a change in hormones due to the Synthroid and not necessarily an allergic reaction. However, it could also be something in the fillers-she might want to ask to switch to something different if her levels are alright and has no other symptoms.

[hempem]

Acne in response to Synthroid usually means TOO HIGH A DOSE.  I would ask for a blood test again to see where she is at, and perhaps ask for a dose reduction.

[Red_Star]

My acne worsened after I started thyroid hormones and covered my upper back/neck (nodular acne).  This is because my natural thyroid gland production slowed down in response to taking thyroxine.  About 4 or 5 weeks later I was free of acne so my thyroid blood levels were optimal once again.  Thyroid hormone helps with the conversion of beta-carotene to vitamin A. Vitamin A deficiency is one cause of acne.

[Barb135]

Cystic acne is basically boils that form under the skin.  They can be found on the butt, armpits, groin and other places where sweat can accumulate in hair follicles.  

Your daughter may have rosacea, which is a skin condition that causes redness, and painful bumps under the skin.  I get the bumps quite often.  Instead of being filled with pus, like most regular acne, mine are filled with blood.  Squeezing or popping them is much more painful than popping a pimple and only makes them worse and more prone to scarring.

I've found a product called Prosacea that works quite well to keep the condition from flaring, as long as I use it daily.  If I skip a few days, I get the painful bumps back again.  I buy Prosacea in the grocery store, but I've seen it in drugstores, too.