Face gets hot & red when eating/Medicine related?

zuha sultana

New member
I'm 41 and was diagnosed with thyroid cancer and Hashimoto's Disease 2/08 after my ENT found and removed a lump on my thyroid (had complete thyroidectomy). I had the I-131 radiation and then started on 175 mcg of Levothyroxine 4/08. In Nov. 08 I started having what I refer to as "hot flashes". After a few bites of food my face became very red, very hot and my pulse would race. It lasts about 2-5 minutes and takes about 10-15 minutes to return to normal (whether I continue to eat or not). It did not happen every time I ate and it was NOT food specific. I first saw my general physician, did general blood work and several cardiac tests. All normal results. I then saw my Endocrinologist and did thyroid related blood tests, which showed my med. level was too high but she did not think it was related to my flashes. She lowered my dose to 137 mcg of Levo. and my flashes seemed to happen less frequently. In April this year, I had to go off my medication for 4 weeks to have my body scan to see if any thyroid cancer had returned. The scan was clear. During the time off the med., my flashes decreased and eventually stopped. Of course, when I went back on my medication, the flashes returned. My doctor said we can't lower my dose and is not concerned with the flashes and says I may just have to live with them. I'm not ready to accept that....
I am searching for a new Endocrinologist, but in the meantime, was wondering if anyone has heard of this or experienced it? Any information would be appreciated.
 
Hi kerbuch,

Yes, one of the side effects (among many) of Levothyroxine is "flushing" or hot flashes.
I've heard that not all synthetic thyroid drugs work exactly the same way.
Whether this means each has more/less or different side effects I don't know.
It would be interesting to hear what a new endo thinks.

Definitely a good idea to get another opinion.

Also do post your plight on the Thyroid Board as well- bet you'll find a lot of help there! Here's the link:

forumdisplay.php


zuzu:wave:
 
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