1. < Diabetes & Endocrine System

Itching possibly cause by diabetes and hypothyroidism

Posted by danybegood1 @danybegood1, Mar 20, 2017

Does anyone have an itch on their entire body? That makes you want to cry bc you itch so bad. I am type 2 diabetic, have hypothyroidism, gastroparesis, HBP that is controlled unless i miss a pill. Have lichen sclerosis and last September had a HA. Does anyone have any thoughts on this? I know that diabetes and hypothyroidism can cause itching as well as fibromyalgia which i also have. My doctors apparently dont consider itching a major problem.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Diabetes & Endocrine System Support Group.

Mentor
Rosemary, Volunteer Mentor | @rosemarya | Mar 20, 2017

@danybegood1, Good Morning, and welcome to Connect. I really can understand the misery that you are suffering with this itching. I am surprised and disappointed that your doctor 'brushed' it off. It does make life miserable, I know, because I have experienced awful itching in the past due to advanced liver disease.
Here is a discussion where some of us with itching have shared some ideas. I invite you to look at this where you will meet @predictable, @macarl, and @2011panc.
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/itchy-skin-2ee1a9/
Please let us know if you find a solution that works.
Rosemary

REPLY
amkaloha | @amkaloha | Mar 25, 2017

Hi Dany -- I can relate to your itch problem. It is worse when I go to bed and try to settle down, then have to scratch here and there and everywhere! I have found very small hard bumps on my skin especially my hands, arms and legs. When I touch one of them, they itch too. I also have diabetes, hypothyroidism, high blood pressure and fibromyalgia. Maybe it's a combo of these diseases???? I am with you in that I really don't think doctors care one way or the other about itching unless it's accompanied by red rashes or hives or some visable thing. Maybe someone on here will have some answers for us!!! Best of luck.

REPLY
3 replies
Mentor
Rosemary, Volunteer Mentor | @rosemarya | Mar 25, 2017
In reply to @amkaloha "Hi Dany -- I can relate to your itch problem. It is worse when I go..." + (show)
@amkaloha

Hi Dany -- I can relate to your itch problem. It is worse when I go to bed and try to settle down, then have to scratch here and there and everywhere! I have found very small hard bumps on my skin especially my hands, arms and legs. When I touch one of them, they itch too. I also have diabetes, hypothyroidism, high blood pressure and fibromyalgia. Maybe it's a combo of these diseases???? I am with you in that I really don't think doctors care one way or the other about itching unless it's accompanied by red rashes or hives or some visable thing. Maybe someone on here will have some answers for us!!! Best of luck.

Jump to this post

@amkaloha and @danybegood1, I know that you must both be feeling frustrated about the itching problems. I have found this Mayo Clinic link about itching skin. I hope that you might learn something as it pertains to you that you will be able to discuss with your doctor.
http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/itchy-skin/home/ovc-20262856
Please share with us if you are able to get relief.
Rosemary

REPLY
amkaloha | @amkaloha | Mar 25, 2017
In reply to @amkaloha "Hi Dany -- I can relate to your itch problem. It is worse when I go..." + (show)
@amkaloha

Hi Dany -- I can relate to your itch problem. It is worse when I go to bed and try to settle down, then have to scratch here and there and everywhere! I have found very small hard bumps on my skin especially my hands, arms and legs. When I touch one of them, they itch too. I also have diabetes, hypothyroidism, high blood pressure and fibromyalgia. Maybe it's a combo of these diseases???? I am with you in that I really don't think doctors care one way or the other about itching unless it's accompanied by red rashes or hives or some visable thing. Maybe someone on here will have some answers for us!!! Best of luck.

Jump to this post

Rosemary - thanks so much for the reference. It was interesting. I do think that some of my itching is systemic--maybe the different kinds of diseases or conditions I have or the drugs I take! I know I get poison ivy and sumac/oak if I even look at it!! And I also break out from lotions and topical creams that are supposed to soothe it. No doctor has ever taken this condition seriously, except when I bloomed with a poison ivy rash all over me, then it was prednisone -- shots, pills and creams.

REPLY
danybegood1 | @danybegood1 | Mar 25, 2017
In reply to @amkaloha "Hi Dany -- I can relate to your itch problem. It is worse when I go..." + (show)
@amkaloha

Hi Dany -- I can relate to your itch problem. It is worse when I go to bed and try to settle down, then have to scratch here and there and everywhere! I have found very small hard bumps on my skin especially my hands, arms and legs. When I touch one of them, they itch too. I also have diabetes, hypothyroidism, high blood pressure and fibromyalgia. Maybe it's a combo of these diseases???? I am with you in that I really don't think doctors care one way or the other about itching unless it's accompanied by red rashes or hives or some visable thing. Maybe someone on here will have some answers for us!!! Best of luck.

Jump to this post

@rosemarya,@amkaloha, thank you so very much. Its nice to have someone to itch with.  I will definitely try out that website. I hear Sarna is good, i will try that next.
Judy

REPLY
Mentor
Rosemary, Volunteer Mentor | @rosemarya | Mar 25, 2017

@amkaloha and @danybegood1, Here is another discussion that is in the Kidney and Bladder discussion that is happening here on Connect. https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/itchy-skin-2ee1a9/
You will meet several members who have also suffered with itching, I think you might find some suggestions that are working for some others.
Rosemary

REPLY
trisha10 | @trisha10 | Feb 26, 2019

I have had itching all over my body since last March. It started after a bout with stomach issues terrible Stomach cramps after I eat, then diarrhea, nausea, then the itching & sores on my arms. It seems the itch stopped when the pain stopped, then I had 2 other bout with the stomach cramps & itching. I have multiple blood test, CT, x-rays, endoscopy upper, colonoscopy & next week I go for a gastric emptying test. My skin is now itching day& every night can't sleep. I have had enough of it, last year they told me I had a hiatal hernia, after this upper endoscopy they told me I have Barrett's esophagus. I am tried every cream on the market nothing works....

REPLY
2 replies
Mentor
Rosemary, Volunteer Mentor | @rosemarya | Feb 27, 2019
In reply to @trisha10 "I have had itching all over my body since last March. It started after a bout..." + (show)
@trisha10

I have had itching all over my body since last March. It started after a bout with stomach issues terrible Stomach cramps after I eat, then diarrhea, nausea, then the itching & sores on my arms. It seems the itch stopped when the pain stopped, then I had 2 other bout with the stomach cramps & itching. I have multiple blood test, CT, x-rays, endoscopy upper, colonoscopy & next week I go for a gastric emptying test. My skin is now itching day& every night can't sleep. I have had enough of it, last year they told me I had a hiatal hernia, after this upper endoscopy they told me I have Barrett's esophagus. I am tried every cream on the market nothing works....

Jump to this post

@trisha10, I cannot imagine what you are going through. You have mentioned lots of tests. Do you have any idea of what they are looking for? Or what they are trying to eliminate as possibilities? I had to look up Barrett's Esophagus because I am not familiar with it. Barrett's esophagus - https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/barretts-esophagus/symptoms-causes/syc-20352841

What kind of doctor is ordering these tests? Is he/she doing any follow-ups with you?
While you are undergoing this testing. I strongly encourage you to talk to him/her about the itching.

Trisha, Will you tell me what you learn from the gastric emptying test?

REPLY
JK | @contentandwell | Feb 27, 2019
In reply to @trisha10 "I have had itching all over my body since last March. It started after a bout..." + (show)
@trisha10

I have had itching all over my body since last March. It started after a bout with stomach issues terrible Stomach cramps after I eat, then diarrhea, nausea, then the itching & sores on my arms. It seems the itch stopped when the pain stopped, then I had 2 other bout with the stomach cramps & itching. I have multiple blood test, CT, x-rays, endoscopy upper, colonoscopy & next week I go for a gastric emptying test. My skin is now itching day& every night can't sleep. I have had enough of it, last year they told me I had a hiatal hernia, after this upper endoscopy they told me I have Barrett's esophagus. I am tried every cream on the market nothing works....

Jump to this post

@trisha10 I am sorry to hear all you are going through. I know how frustrating it is to not know what is wrong with you. Do they think some of these symptoms are related to Barrett's or that they are just co-existing? I have had Barrett's for about 6 or 7 years now but my only symptom is that I am hoarse at times. I take 20mg of omeprazole a day for that. Interestingly, I never had GERD or an inordinate amount of heartburn.
JK

REPLY
Please sign in or register to post a reply.