dry skin

lmkatz
lmkatz Member Posts: 6
edited March 2014 in Thyroid Cancer #1
I had my RAI treatment about 5 weeks ago. I have been experiencing severely dry skin. Is this normal and if so, how long does it take to go away?

Comments

  • Rustifox
    Rustifox Member Posts: 110
    #2
    Unfortunately, it is very normal after we go 'hypo' for I-131 scans and/or RAI treatments. Skin and our hair do take a long time to 'bounce back' after this...

    It takes a full 6-8 weeks after starting full hormone replacement to have that dose sink into the cells of our body. I found it was about 3 months before my skin 'recovered' completely from being hypo, and the hair took a little longer, as it grows so slowly. In the meantime, I found that using alot of extra ways and means of moisturizing does help. I switched to moisturizing body washes (instead of soap), lotions, used lots of hair and skin conditioners, etc. It will get better!
  • am_martin
    am_martin Member Posts: 6
    #3
    dry skin can be from having hyperthyroidism if you went back on your thyroid medicine here's some stuff I've found out on hypo- and hyperthyroism if your hyper becareful for thyroid storm
    hypothyroid

    Fatigue, exhaustion, depression, moodiness, sadness, difficulty concentrating, difficulty remembering, sensitivity to cold, cold hands and feet, inappropriate weight gain, or difficulty losing weight, dry, tangled or coarse hair, and hair loss, especially from the outer part of the eyebrow, brittle fingernails, muscle and joint pains and aches, tendinitis of arms and legs, carpal tunnel syndrome, plantars fascitis - sole of the foot pain, swelling or puffiness of eyes, face, arms or legs, heart palpitations, low sex drive, infertility, recurrent miscarriages, heavy, longer, more frequent or more painful menstrual periods, high cholesterol levels, especially when it’s unresponsive to diet and medication, worsening allergies, itching, prickly hot skin, rashes, hives (urticaria), chronic infections, including yeast infections, oral fungus, thrush, and sinus infections, shortness of breath, difficulty drawing a full breath, constipation, neck feels full or sensitive, raspy, hoarse voice
    low basal body temperature below 97.8 to 98.2 degrees in the morning

    hyperthyroidism

    nervousness, irritability, nervousness, or panic attacks, difficulty concentrating, short attention span, palpitations, irregular heartbeat, high pulse and heartbeat, atrial fibrillation, feeling hot, sweating more than usual, hand tremors, diarrhea, fatigue, dry skin, even thickened patches on shins and legs, fine, brittle hair, infertility, periods are lighter, less frequent, or stop altogether, muscle weakness, especially in the upper arms and thighs, eye problems, including double vision, scratchy eyes, bulging, sensitivity to light

    Thyroid Storm

    Some people with Graves' disease or hyperthyroidism -- an overactive thyroid that is producing too much thyroid hormone -- develop a condition known as thyroid storm. It's not common however; only 1-2% of patients with hyperthyroidism develop thyroid storm. During thyroid storm, the heart rate, blood pressure and body temperature can become uncontrollable high. Whenever thyroid storm is suspected, the patient must go immediately on an emergency basis to the hospital, as this is a life-threatening condition that can develop and worsen quickly, and requires treatment within hours to avoid fatal complications such as stroke or heart attack.
    Risks for Thyroid Storm
    Untreated Graves' disease and/or hyperthyroidism is a particular risk factor, as is being female.
    Even when the Graves' disease is identified and being treated, however, certain other factors raise the risk of thyroid storm:
    Infection: lung infection, throat infection or pneumonia
    Blood sugar changes: Diabetic ketoacidosis, insulin-induced hypoglycemia
    Recent surgery to the thyroid
    Abrupt withdrawal of antithyroid medications
    Radioactive iodine (RAI) treatment of the thyroid
    Excessive palpation (handling/manipulation) of the thyroid
    Severe emotional stress
    An overdose of thyroid hormone
    Toxemia of pregnancy and labor
    Symptoms
    What are the symptoms of thyroid storm?
    High fever of 100 to as high as 106
    A high heart rate that can be as high as 200 beats per minute
    Palpitations, chest pain, shortness of breath
    High blood pressure
    Confusion, delirium and even psychosis
    Extreme weakness and fatigue
    Extreme restlessness, nervousness, mood swings
    Exaggerated reflexes
    Difficulty breathing
    Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea
    Recent dramatic weight loss may have taken place recently
    Profuse sweating, dehydration
    Stupor or coma
    Thyroid storm is treated with a combination of antithyroid drugs, blockade iodine drug, beta-blockers, and treatment for any underlying non-thyroidal illness or infection that may becontributing to the thyroid storm.
    NOTE: If thyroid storm is suspected, go to an emergency room immediately!

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