Rash+Anxiety= Thyroid ??

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-29-2004
Rash+Anxiety= Thyroid ??
7
Wed, 09-29-2004 - 3:36pm
I have had a rash and hives for 8 months. Also, began having anxiety attacks that last a few minutes and can only describe as a sudden adreneline rush feeling. My TSH was slightly high about 6 months ago and when dr. retested he said it had dropped into the normal range and had made a significant change during the 5 month period. I occassionally get a "swollen gland/minor sore throat feeling" but it is not distressing.

I have had 2 biopsies on my rash and they are "non-specific"...Have taken prednisone,

and am on Zyrtec to help with the hives... It is really weird... I've never had any problems then this rash started and during the last 8 months I have not resolved the problem. Question is this...has anyone had "stubborn rashes" and "anxiety" out there??

I have an appointment with an immunologist to get allergy tested per my GP, but I kinda think I need an endocrinologist...maybe both... thanks for your help!
iVillage Member
Registered: 09-28-2004
Wed, 09-29-2004 - 4:02pm
I have had anxiety and hives in the past year, although I can't say with any certainty that it was caused by being hypothyroid. Since taking medication, my anxiety symptoms seem to have lessened and I am hoping they will disappear altogether.

I hope someone else out there has more information on this as well!

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-09-2001
Wed, 09-29-2004 - 6:19pm
Hi and welcome - There is a connection between hives and hypothyroid, and anxiety and hypothyroid, as well as hyperthyroid. I'll have to see if I can find the article for you. I think you're right to see an endo about it. I used to have very severe hives and also a rare allergy to my own progesterone. Once I was diagnosed with hypothyrodism and on medication for a month or so, it disappeared - the hives, the allergy, all of it. I used to have very bad allergies overall and now have only mild ones.

If your TSH is fluctuating now, it's probably only a matter of time before it starts to rise. Hopefully, you will find an endo that understands the connection AND is willing to treat your thyroid without the TSH being in the "sky high" range! That would be anything above a 10.0 for some. I'll see what I can find and post for you later on, ok? Hope this helps in the meantime. Cathy :)

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-09-2001
Thu, 09-30-2004 - 10:27am
Hi again - Here's what we've found in the past:

Hives Linked to Autoimmune Thyroid Disease

Research reported on in the journal Dermatology found that the frequency of thyroid autoantibodies is significantly higher in patients with chronic urticaria (hives) than in healthy controls. In the study, all the patients with thyroid autoantibodies had so-called "normal" test results. Researchers concluded that there is a significant association between chronic urticaria and thyroid autoimmunity, but only the thyroid antibody tests are relevant in patients with chronic urticaria, versus thyroid function tests.

And here's a link to the page that has a link to more info!

http://thyroid.about.com/b/a/099941.htm

I hope this helps. Cathy :)

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-15-2003
Thu, 10-07-2004 - 4:32am
I am so thankful for these boards! I was having horrible anxiety for awhile, and I came on here and found out it was related to my thyroid problems. It went away when I started taking my meds,but it did take a few weeks.

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-27-2004
Tue, 10-12-2004 - 8:14am
Hi, my name is Jane, and I've got the same problem. And, yeah, the levoxyl takes care of it. My allergist found it. Thing is, it's not really an allergist's responsiblity to treat a thyroid condition so... Grr... I have to deal with other Drs. I'm still trying to find one who knows their stuff.
iVillage Member
Registered: 09-12-2004
Tue, 10-12-2004 - 11:22am
I have had three doctor's visits for itchy rash...was told it was poison ivy went back in three days itched so bad i was going crazy then docto said scabies so i did treatment still have hives and itches i told her it was thyroid would not believe me...no doctor understands or does not want me to self help myself..go to new doctor in november and then hope to go to endo former doctor said i did not need endo i was in normal range with tsh .641 i know it is not normal for me and i am still going through same stuff i was i am tired of doctor's not listening to me the patient not my tsh levels thanks for this post and this board frankied
iVillage Member
Registered: 11-09-2001
Tue, 10-12-2004 - 4:27pm
Hi frankied - you hang in there. I hope your new doctor will be able to help!! Cathy :)