Chronic Hives & Hashimoto's

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-27-2004
Chronic Hives & Hashimoto's
2
Tue, 10-12-2004 - 8:30am
Hi, my name is Jane. I have a thyroid problem. My allergist found it. The levoxyl keeps it at bay, when I'm at the correct dose. Thing is... It's not an allergist's place to be treating a thyroid disorder. I did some research, and the chronic urticaria and angioedema I've been experiencing are related to Hashimoto's. They believe that an inflamed thyroid gland may be releasing something that causes the urticaria. (Urticaria is hives. Angioedema is deep hives, the kind that can send you into anaphelatic shock.)

I put together a list of risk factors and symptoms, but I'm in need of a doctor who knows about autoimmune diseases and is willing to take me seriously. It's frustrating, but I'm begining to shop around for a new primary care physician. I have also seen an endocronologist, and she is leaving me on the levoxyl, but... She doesn't seem to have much experience with the urticartia connection.

Just so you know I'm not crazy... Here's the list I made for when I go shop around.

Risk Factors:

I have a goiter. (Found by my endo)

I have thyroid antibodies

The women on my mother's side are all hypothyroid. (My grandmother, my 2 aunts, and a cousin.)

My grandfather on my dad's side was hyperthyroid.

All of my grandparents were diabetic.

Symptoms:

Feeling cold when others feel hot

Low body temp

Hair is course, dry, breaks, & is brittle & dull

Acne

Dry eyes (I stopped wearing my contacts)

Difficultly swallowing

Muscle weakness

Carpal tunnel syndrome

Extreme sensitivity to cold in hands & feet.

Puffiness in the face

Irritability, anxiety, and depression (I really don't like that part!)

Brain fog - difficulty concentrating, forgetfullness

Heavy periods

Low RBC count--last time I was checked, I'm border-line anemic

Fatigue (Another symptom I can't wait to get rid of.)

Pale and washed out look.

chronic sinus problems

Urticaria & Angioedema

Anyone have any advice on how to find what I'm looking for?

Thanks,

Jane

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-19-2004
Tue, 10-12-2004 - 9:00am
HAve you ever checked for PCOS? I've read about a lot of people who have thyroid problems a lot of times have PCOS. I do! :-) I am graves/hyper thyroid though. It seems more people who are hypo have it.

Common signs and symptoms of PCOS include the following:

Irregular or absent periods

Lack of ovulation

Weight gain

Hirsutism (excessive hair growth) (usually on the chin/face)

Insulin resistance

Acne

Male-pattern balding

Multiple small ovarian cysts-these may be seen by an ultrasound examination

Ancthosis nigrans (darkening of the skin at the nape of the neck and under the arms and breasts)

Just thought I would mention it!

We are still waiting and see if mine is b/c of my thyroid problem, overactive thyroid- overactive ovaries. But I do have acne, although it's not terrible but a lot more breakouts than I had before.

I got hives when I was on tapazole (an antithyroid drug) I was allergic to it. Again, I've read where hives and itching are common with thyroid problems.

Let us know!

April

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-09-2001
Tue, 10-12-2004 - 4:19pm
Hi Jane - You're very well organized!! I think that you should keep the endo and perhaps add a dermatologist for the hives. I had a strange and rare condition where I was allergic to my own progesterone and it showed up with my menstrual cycle. I knew it was related to my thyroid somehow, but didn't know what it really was. It was a condition with hives and a rash and lots of swelling, especially around my face. My dermatologist identified it when I went for a routine checkup of moles etc. She was wonderful about it and prescribed a steroid cream for when it flared up. But as I stayed on the meds for my thyroid and eventually stablized, the whole condition cleared up. So that's my experience and perhaps that will help you. Cathy :)