are you on replacement thyroxine?
Have you been diagnosed with underactive thyroid?
Because there is a connection with underactive thyroid (which can cause enlarged thyroid...I have that too), and tendency to get acne/spots when older.
I never knew that till a few months ago, and I was diagnosed with underactive thyroid in '91.
Am in perimenopuse now at 46.

Dear wildflower. Was diagnosed with overactive thyroid several years ago, but not on any meds. I am convinced that there is a connection between this and this lump in my throat that is tender to touch, but maybe its just me. To be honest I have lost faith in conventional doctors as all they want to do is slot you into one category and feed you 'man-made' pills!! And if you want to ask anything about your complaint they look at you like you want their job!!! I try very hard to maintain my health with the use of herbal remedies and a sound understanding of what happens to your body when you introduce something into it. I try, I suppose to always be in control of my body. Sounds easy on paper but how many of us really are in control? P.S. Trying a ph balanced washing gel for my spots and it really seems to be having an effect!!!

Hi dexi,

it's been many months since you posted your message so if you've found a solution to your acne problem, please let me know. When I read your post, I felt like I was reading about myslef.



My main complain, too, is my chin. I"m 41 years old and have had clear skin for years. When I was a teenager, I had pimples on my chin, but small ones; now I have these zits that look huge to me and feel sore. I think they do look like small boils. And as soon as one starts going away, I feel another huge sore bump coming to the surface right next to it!



I also have a nodule on my thyroid. I am having a thyroidectomy next month. I don't think they're related. My thyroid function is normal. I"m just having it out as a precaution, in case it is malignant since it's slowly growing and I had radiation for lymphoma on my neck 11 years ago.



Last year my dermatologist put me on retina micro which used to help my skin, but this time just made it worse. I also find this so depressing; it's sometimes hard to look my husband in the eye when I feel like I look gross.



I'm going back to the dermatologist next month. In the meantime, any advice?? What is the name of this ph balanced washing gel?

Hi there!
I have been advised to stop taking kelp on a regular basis in case this is what is affecting my thyroid count.
Re the ph balanced gel it is tescos own brand at 99p but it really does the trick, also drink lots of water thru'out the day.
I have recently had a tummy tuck(very pleased!!!), and in three weeks I have to have a tvt op (not looking forward to it!!!).
I still get scabs of blood on my scalp but am trying very hard to analyse my cycle exactly as im sure the key to good health lies within...Also very badly affected by growing patches of psoriasis and recently found out that this can be linked to food allergies, since I already have a couple of these I think it may be a possibility, does anyone out there know of any specific foodstuffs that result in psoriasis????

Hi,
I too have always had very good skin on my face, and I had 1/2 my thyroid taken out when I was 18, and I've had "allergies" although to nothing in particular ...my immune system just takes off on its own and forgets to shut off (according to the doctor).

Now I am 42 and I'm bleeding 1 day a week, and I have acne especially on my neck. What is with the huge neck zits? They take forever to heal. My breasts are tender and I just had an mammogram & ultrasound to check that out. I've also gained weight in the last 6 months due to stress and lack of exercise (my mom almost died in an accident during this period).

My TSH & T3 always tests in the "normal" range but I keep forgetting to do the temperature test to know for sure. I get really cold hands and feet at night and have a slow metabolism. I have type II diabetes in my family and I am thirsty all the time. Plus, in the last 6 months I've got psorasis on my face. I always had it on my legs but never on my face.

Did you know that psorasis is related to lupus? Anyways, thanks for mentioning the kelp because I forgot about it relating to the thyroid. I definitely feel better when I am lighter but the emotional rollercoaster makes it hard to want to care about losing weight. I had to post because my situation sounds so similar.

Hi All,I am 42 and like all of you have never had an issue with acne before. I don't believe I have a thyroid problem but will get it checked. I've started to get sore acne on the chin, forehead and neck- it's very depressing and embarassing. I also feel deep skin itching and like spiders are on my skin.

Does anyone have any suggestions??? Answers??? Help Please!!

Hi, I started breaking out w/acne about 5 years ago. I am 49 years old! I initially went to my primary care physician who vaguely determined I had adult acne. I then went to a dermatologist who prescribed injections of restylane for a couple of scars. Decided to go to a Top Doc dermatologist who prescribed a topical daily treatment that has left my skin red and 'at home chemically peeled'. This is foolish! I may have had 10 pimples in my teens, at the most...and now, I am constantly fighting cystic acne. My skin was perfect prior to my turning 45 years old. I have had an ovary removed because it was filled w/a blood cyst. Now, I wonder if my skin will ever be clear again. I have taken good care of my skin through the years so that I don't have any wrinkles, and am told that I look 30 years old...but what's the use of taking good care to avoid sun exposure and harsh chemicals, when I end up w/deforming cysts. And the doctors so far seem to find it all amusing.

i am turning into an obsessive compulsive re hormones!! I hear you with the big welts, like its the folicles that just swell up overnight and stay for weeks it feels like. I'm 39 and up till 2 years ago (on same pill for 15 years) as always it came out of nowhere. went off pill and the constant greasy skin and pimples drove me to countless doctors to pay for them to say, give it some time, thanks for your 60 bucks for 5 minutes see you next time. well finally decided to go back on the pill, buggers wouldn't give it to me due to my AGE, running out of options finally found a doc to refer me to dermat, he has been great we are finally half way there. on spironolactone (aldactone) water pill which blocks the aldestrone hormone (androgens I think). the pimples in my hair stopped and the grease and the pms (don't want to kill people now), the fatigue, some of the vagueness (still a blonde) and the chin, forehead and cheek boil like pimples except when i have my period or ovulating for about 4 days in each, think due to hormone levels, just had blood tests done and prog and estro down so thinking regulating this is the next step (hence perimenopause search). also you loose weight on them which isn't good for me being 50kg already so i really need to eat well to maintain weight on these tabs and breasts get sore, but i'm happy with that at this stage, I can handle those downfalls. thinking after reading this site i might get him to do thyroid test too as that might be affecting my metabolism and playing a role. so hope this helps someone, i lost sleep looking up sites and trying to find my own cure for the symptoms that drove me crazy. My mum is a nurse and it took alot to get me to the point that i HAD to try medication. Alprim antibiotics 1/2 helped too, differin made my skin worse but apparently you need to use it for a long period, i found too much scarring. as my derm said its just an elimination game, if this dieuretic doesn't work roaccutane is next step which i don't want to go to if i can help it. doctors really need to wake up and realise this is a REAL problem that is affecting us and our life. it is not only destroying our confidence, we are on an emotional rollercoaster and feel like we are on it alone. I tell you if i hear one more person say to me it is diet, exercise and lifestyle that causes acne i am not going to be responsible for my behaviour. clearly i have tried all of these areas before i desperately went to the derm seeking answers. I can not explain the relief of sitting down with him on my first visit, (in my head expecting the usual response) and to hear, yes that is a problem and we can deal with this! It is not diet related! It is hormonal. Sheer relief!! Felt like on cloud 9 all day just to have someone to fight this with me not against me. Hope i helped you with my experiences, as my derm says 'still a bit of a journey to go, but we'll get there'.

I hear you all!! I am 40 and have been having acne for the last year and 1/2. As a teen i would have one or two pimples once a month...now it is constant and more than ever....chest, neck, hairline, jaw and chin.
Is this just perimenopausal or what??? suggestions to treatments are welcomed.
I am glad i am not alone!
Thanks

I'm 46 and I've had three periods in 11 months. I've run the gamut of symptoms of perimenopause and menopause. I feel like aliens have taken over my body. Now I have the acne and I want to scream. I just had bloodwork (again) to check hormone levels and thyroid, waiting for results. I've also been going nuts for the past month with itchy scalp. Last month, I had a stye that I can still feel under the skin, but it isn't visible anymore and doesn't hurt. Cold sores have been a problem at least 3-4x a year for the past few years too. Gastic disturbances, hot flashes, mood swings, palpitations, dizziness, nausea, arm tremors, numbing/tingling in my arms and legs.....I chalk it all up to hormonal imbalance and the doctors can never seem to find anything wrong with me other than "early menopause". I see a cardiologist (because I was a smoker until two months ago and I have high blood pressure) and my gyno (annually). Neither of them seem concerned that I have anything more serious going on, so I've stopped obsessing that it's MS, Lupus or any other disease (including hypochondria). I just wonder, when it's all over and done with, what will I be left with?? If it's the acne, I'll kill myself. These aren't really blackheads or even whiteheads. These are big red things that hurt and are just popping up everywhere, on my neck, jaw, back, chest, cheek....I've always had oily skin with an occasional "period" flare up, but I've always washed my face 2x per day with neutragena for acne-prone skin and I use other products with salicylic acid when flare-ups occur. This past month has been more than a flare up, this has been a complete "hostile take over" and I'm not happy.

I am 39 and I've always dealt with acne, but nothing like this. I broke out about a month and a half ago on my neck, chin, jawline, chest and back. It was on my forehead but that seems to be clearing up. I am desperate!! I went and saw my NP and she did hormone and thyroid (I am hypothyroid and on meds.) blood tests and all is well. I am desperate. This is embarassing and I find myself cringing when I have to go out. Does anyone have any suggestions?

I am so glad that I am not the only woman out there that feels these things! I am almost 49 and I have been hypothyroid for a little over 1 year. Before that I had Graves' Disease, doctors advised me to take radioactive iodine treatment, and ultimately became hypo. But the acne, spidery feeling, irregular periods, tender breasts & nipples - oh my gosh! My husband is so understanding, but will it ever end! I too can deal with all of it, but the acne. I have it on my chin, neck and all over my back. I almost hate to wear makeup as it is clogging the pores. I am to the point of wearing nothing but turtleneck shirts to cover up my embarressing looking neck!