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Hashimoto and Chronic Urticaria (hives)

In 1994 I was diagnosed with Hashimotos Thyroidits...then I was told that the Hashimotos turned into Hypothyroid...now for the last 9 months I have been diagnosed with Chronic Urticaria or hives. I will wake up with hives head to toe and am miserable but then by midafternoon the hives go away and come back around 8pm. I have seen a Dermatologist who says I need to accept the fact that I will not know what is causing the hives and to treat the hives (allegra and zantac) I have seen the Allergist who wants to check for an autoimmune disease which I don't understand because Hashimotos is an autoimmune disease or problem I thought. My thyroid doctor says there is no link between the thyroid and the hives and has taken a leave of abscence from his practice. I am now very frustrated and feel like I have to settle with no answers. Does anyone else have these issues?? or does anyone have any thoughts about this??
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17861496 tn?1460943590
I also had chronic hives for about 2 years. And 2014 I was diagnosed with Hashimoto. Didn't know until now that there was a connection.
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Avatar universal
Hi,
I wanted to reach out to this group and share my story. I was diagnosed with hashimotos at 10 years old and have been battling it and my doctors for the past 20 years. At about the same time as my diagnosis I started suffering from hives. For a long time I couldn't find a doctor to validate that they were connected. I'm happy to say I have finally found a doctor who at least agrees with me that there is a connection but still is hesitant to adjust medication to help with the hives. I've gone through numerous flares that lasted multiple years and been put on every allergy pill out there plus steroids. I used to come to these blogs and read posts just to not feel alone in this. Today, however I think I have finally found the solution that works for me and it took really looking into my nutrition and diet to help regulate my thyroid along with my synthroid. If any of you out there are interested in the details of what I've done I'd be happy to go into much more detail with you. I know it seems like there is no answer sometimes but keep looking because it is out there! I can officially say I haven't taken an allergy pill in 6 months for the first time in 20 years! Hallelujah! Please reach out to me at sue.***@**** if you want to chat more about what I've done.
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4 Comments
Can you please email me what worked for you! My daughter is suffering really bad from this. She also has hashimotos. She recently went gluten free. Thank you so much! My email is ***@****
Would you mind posting your solution here? It'd be beneficial to everyone to share in detail what's worked for everyone.
Hi, I'm very interested in knowing what you did to help your battle with Hashimoto and hives. I have the same battle. I wake up and go to bed with hives all over, unless I'm taking  Prednisones along with  antihistamines. Please send me the information. Thanks. My email is ***@****
Hi, I seem to be having the same situation. Please send me what you did to ***@****  thanks.
Avatar universal
I realize its been quite awhile but I just read your comment on relief from hives as a result of meds for hashimotos....my daughter has been diagnosed with hashimotos and put on levothyroxine and has broken out in hives all over...I saw your post and wondered if the atarax and pepcid are still what you would recommend for help?? Thank you so very much!
Helpful - 0
1 Comments
Please try 6,000 IUs of vitamin D3 for two weeks or more for relief of your hives. Please trust me on this
My email is ***@****
Avatar universal
I was diagnosed with Hashimoto Disorder about 4 years ago.  I had a horrible time with hives....had no clue what was going on with my body.  Changed matresses, sheets, laundry detergent, washed all my clothes in no scented detergent, had vents cleaned in the house,  You name it!  Nothing worked.  I found that I was allergic to the medications they were treating me with.  Pain medications also make me break out with hives.  We finally found I could take Tirosint for Hashimoto or thyroid disorder.  I have been taking that for 4 years and then I broke out with hives a month ago and cant get rid of them.  It is torturous to say the least.  My allergist wants me to take Xolair or some other very serious medications that organ transplant patients take.  Serious side effects though.  I am more afraid of that.  I am 4 weeks on Medrol pak now with Zantac and Zytec.  I'm thinking of stopping the Tirosint to see if my hives clear up.  It might be foolish but it seems that might be a way to see if a change in the thyroid med might be more feasible than taking these very, very serious mredications for transplant patients.  I am freaked out!   CLombardo
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2 Comments
I too have Hashimotos. I've been having rash break outs everywhere, but the mist annoying have been around the mouth. I have had some positive healing occur by using a simple 1% hydrocortisone cream. Try it. What could it hurt? Took 3 days of usage to see some healing benefits.
Since your Hashi's is bad enough to do that, what are your thyroid related test results and reference ranges ?  Also, further assuming you are taking thyroid medication, what is the med and dosage?
Avatar universal
It's good to know I am not crazy!! Aug, 10 2014 woke up with one spot on my leg. ( I have broke out before) went on with my day by Monday morning I was at urgent care looking for relief! The y gave me. Shot of steroid and Zyrtec and Pepcid to take the afternoon they went away only to wake up at 4:00 am with them back and fierce! Tuesday morning went to my family doc, another shot of steroid and pills, that night went to the ER in severe pain it was the worst on my thighs! They did absolutely nothing for me told me it was allergic reaction to something ?? Oh they sent me home with 2 Benadryl . Wednesday morning no change except for my face was swollen !!! Thursday it subsided a lot got in with an allergist on Friday , he seems want a to test my thyroid antibodies, along with some other things , so I am awaiting blood work I hope they find the problem this is a nightmare!!! Hope this helps at least one person!!!!!
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Avatar universal
Change doctors. You should be able to ask for a change in medication and get it. I would highly recommend a Naturopath as they will work hard to find the underlying cause and not just treat your symptoms.  You have to become your own advocate.  Do your own research and just keep changing doctors until you find one that will work with you and have compassion for you.  They are out there.  Sometimes it's best just to go to a research institution that Is current on the latest technology and studies and skip all the MDs who just have a general knowledge of general things and are not open to your input.  I too suffer from Thyroid problems and hives.  I am currently working with a Naturopath and Endocrinologist at Stanford.  Keep fighting for yourself until you get answers.  
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Avatar universal
i have hashimto's hypothyroidism with chronic uticaria, it is definitely tied to your thyroid. my endo does bloodwork every 3 mnths, prescribes me a specific cream for my hands and body, and one for my face, i take hydroxyzine which really helps with the hives. my pcp treated me for scabies, i said no way i have scabies, i was downright miserable, but my allergist is the one who found that my uticaria was caused by hypothyroid, my body was attacking itself. my endo says its pretty rare, i am only 1 of 2 patients in our state known to have this.
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649848 tn?1534633700
COMMUNITY LEADER
This is a very old post and most of the previous posters are no longer active on the forum.  

Your doctor should be testing Free T3 and Free T4.  TSH is a pituitary hormone and does not correlate with symptoms.  Free T3 and Free T4 are the actual thyroid hormones, with Free T3 being the one that's actually used by individual cells.
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Avatar universal
Check my post
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Avatar universal
Many weeks ago I started to get hives.  I've had Hashimoto's disease for many years.  I'm 56.  They would itch and many of them would get rather big.  It was horrible because I would go to Immediate Care and my doctor.  NOTHING would work very long and I was getting rather scared.  One time I went into Immediate Care and it looked like my husband gave me a fat lip but it was a hive.  

At any rate the doctor sent me to an allergist doctor and BOY am I glad.  I hope I get this right but there are 3 levels when dealing with hives... skin, tummy and brain.  When I was put on Zyrtec, Albuterol, and  Ranitidine the hives started to go away.

The doctor increased my Levothyroxine by 50%.  He said when we get my TSH levels where they should be for ME... then we'll wait many more weeks and then he will try titrating me off the meds. for the hives.  I'm on 10 pills a day but not having the hives to deal with is well worth it.  
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Avatar universal
go to thyroid dr. now. I started with reg md didn't help went to endo felt way better within a couple weekswent back to normal dr  after 10 yrs of not knowing what was wrong depression hair loss moody and being put on anti depressants and they lowered my levoxyl still thought I was going crazy went back to endo he put me back on original dose and felt good again.
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Avatar universal
Hi Christy9296!
On your last post you said you were on the waiting list for the Mayo Clinic. Were you able to be seen at the Mayo Clinic and if so what were the results? I have had chronic hives since 1999 and just this year was diagnosed was Hashi. I get hives from the sun, heat, cold, anytime my adrenaline is raised, any NSAID, for no reason at all and now when I take steroids orally. Do you realize how hard it is to be treated after back surgery without NSAIDs, yeah, not well. I had back surgery in November, the recovery time was estimated at 6-8 weeks and I am still recovering. I am 44 years old and I have to use a cane to get around my house, I am no longer able to drive, cook, get in/out of the bathtub by myself and on and on and on.

I totally understand all of the comments here on this site. I have experienced them all!! One of the first times I broke out in hives from head to toe I was at work. I decided to have a potty brake, which is normal, I walked into the ladies room and there was several women talking and laughing, they saw me and cleared the ladies room. I didn't understand what had happened until I looked in the mirror...I was MORTIFIED! To say the least, I left work early.

These days I take 10-12 benedryl a day. If I miss more than two doses of the benedryl I will get the hives. If I miss one dose I start itching and swelling. Needless to say, I carry benedryl everywhere I go. My husband and I joke that we should have bought benedryl stock...LOL The benedryl medication is in conjunction with all the others I take.

I hope we all get some type of help and soon!
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Avatar universal
There is a direct link. I have the same condition and I just had an attack as well.  I used to get hives on a daily basis.  You should be put on Synthroid.  My hives have rarely attacked since.  If you are not on the proper amount of Synthroid, you need to see a doctor who will up your dose to the appropriate amount to control your symptoms.  By the way, most doctors know very little about Hashimotos.  If you do not find the answer you need, you need to seek the advice of a different doctor.  You may want to find a doctor that combines both traditional medicine with a slight Holistic approach.
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5326704 tn?1366472487
What are thyroid supplements?
I got cold uticaria when I was 30 yrs old.
Then in 2008 learned I had hashi.
Was put on Armour  30 mg
2 yrs ago noticed hair loss, brittle nails

just started Levothyroxine  .05 MG
hopeing for improvement......this problem is getting scary !!

will stay with regular MD who is new to me since moving to Fla, but feel soon I may need to see a thyroid doctor.
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Avatar universal
I too have been diagnosed with hashimotos and i am not on thyroid meds as of yet, thankfully. I am seeing a naturalpathic dr, out of pocket and my endocrine with insurance, the treatment is sooo different. I have become semi vegan, no dairy, but i eat fish and eggs occasionally. I am on thyroid supplements and have seen good results in my lab results. I haven't had hives yet and i am so sorry to hear that so many of you are. If you can try and see a naturalpathic dr, they treat the immune system, which is causing the damage, whereas my endocrine is just waiting to see when i need thyroid supplements.
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Avatar universal
My daughter has been suffering for almost 3 years with unexplained medical problems, We have been told she has Chronic Autoimmune Urticaria, She was placed on Synthroid 25mg along with antihistamines that do nothing for her. We experienced our first case of Angioedmea of the head and neck last week which landed us in the ER to bring the swelling down and open her airway. She has been checked for Celiacs, biopsy was neg. We have seen hundred of doctors and many ER visits in the past with unexplained symptoms, Chronic cough. Neck swelling along with lower back pain. She has times where hands and feet swell and cause numbness and tingling. chronic hives that last for weeks on end, fatigue but not able to sleep along with weight gain, heart races she has also experienced a time last year when she wasn't able to speak. Like a veggie state. When asked after if she could hear us talking to her, she replied that she knew what was going on, But she felt like her body was out of control. I can go on and on. She does have times when her body goes into remission and she can resume to normal teenage life. School, Lacrosse, Band etc.. But it comes back.


Our appt with Endo and Allergist is on the 17th, I'm hoping they can do something for her. As a parent watching your child suffer its just agony.
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Avatar universal
Your case sounds like my daughter's.  She is now 16, but has been battling these same problems for years; all with the 5 endocrinologists we've seen not being able to figure it all out.  She was diagnosed w/ hypothyroidism when she was 8 and no one has ever been able to keep her TSH levels regulated.  It's almost as if her body figures out the new medicine and/or dosage w/in 12 weeks of changing it.  She has had hair loss, very dry skin, some tremors, severe angioedema and hives; other times, she has what seems like hyperthyroidism w/ weight loss, rapid heart beat, etc.  No one seems to be able to figure it out.  We finally got on the Mayo Clinic waiting list; now upgraded to the scheduling list; say we should be going late this month or early next month.  I pray someone can figure this all out for her.  She's a jr in high school w/ plans on going onto college, but the high school doesn't want her there when she's swelled....liability issues.  We fought constant angioedema for a week back in february and now again this past week.  Arrrrgggghhhh!
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Avatar universal
Google LDN, I am at present trying it out so cannot vouch that it will work but so far it seems to be doing some good to my immune system, I have had to reduce my Hashi meds slightly after only 2 weeks of treatment.

I'm female 64, was diagnosed with Hashi, (and also Graves), three years ago, and I went gluten free 4 months ago, which really reduced aches and pains and stomach problems. Then about a month ago I started with terrible itchy dermatitis, patches that appeared and dissappeared which made me suspect that my  immune system was really going mad so I decided to try LDN as about the only thing that could maybe put my immune system back on track.  As with other posts on here, Doctors are mostly a waste of time, the vast majority know very little about all this and are not really interested in finding out.
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Avatar universal
i have them head to toe! too!!! And my alergist is a really smart man. He said that extremly low thyoid levels can set off hives. I have just rescently receved the results of my blood test and found out i have anibodies off the charts!!! My doctor says that is most likely causing it. So if you think its allergies it may be something like hypotyriod and you should deffinatly get another blood test soon. I put off the blood test off for 4 years and now the anibodies are crazy. I have 3000+ the normal rate is 20. So you guys might want to get it checked. I thought it was allergies but it odviously was not. Thank you for reading my thoughts. I hope this helped. :)
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649848 tn?1534633700
COMMUNITY LEADER
Hashimoto's IS the underlying autoimmune problem; for whatever reason (to my knowledge, science hasn't determined that yet), our body sees our thyroid as foreign and develops antibodies to destroy it. There really is no way to treat that; you can only treat the resulting hypothyroidism, once the antibodies have destroyed the thyroid so it no longer produces adequate thyroid hormones.  Treating hypothyroidism is done via replacement thyroid hormones.

This is a very old thread, and none of the previous responders are active on the forum any longer.  If you have specific questions, they would get much better attention, if you start a new thread, listing your own issues.  

You can start a new thread by clicking the orange "Post a Question" button at the top of this page; then type your question(s) and click the green "Post a Comment" button just below your post.
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Avatar universal
I had cold urticaria (hives when exposed to cold things) when I was in middle school that lasted a few years. After my first child was born I had hives every day for 6 months. I suspect stress and hormones played some role. I am now 42 and just prior to being diagnosed with Hasimotos I had a2 week outbreak of hives and severe eczema.  I am learning that treating Hashis is not enough and I need to look at the underlying problem with my immune system. If anyone has good information about links between various auto immune disorders and ways to treat them as a whole I would love to hear it.
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Avatar universal
Hi,

I have been suffering with the same symptoms of hives and extreme bouts of fatigue and have been diagnosed with hypothyroidism since the September. Happily I have just tried Dr. Oz's suggestion of taking the supplement Forskolin and my energy level has really boosted plus I feel like a lot of the depression just lifted from me.  The hives have calmed down with my doctor prescribing Prednesone only when I need to and a daily dose of extra strength Allergy relief tablets containing Cetirizine Hydrochloride.  The hive still come and go but they are easier to manage.  Also I have changed my diet to include more rice and rye bread than wheat bread and that has helped.  
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Avatar universal
I have suffered with this for many years.  It started in high school.  Itchy hands and feet.  It would come every two years lasting for 2 weeks to 6 months and got worse as time went on.  Swelling welts all over, lips and eyes so swollen I looked like I was being abused.  After numerous tests and many doctors telling me, "it's just stress", I finally found a doctor that tested my thyroid antibody level.  It was elevated and I was diagnosed with Hashimoto's.  The only thing that helps me is Allegra.  Steroids didn't work and made me miserable.  I have always suffered with gastrointestinal problems all my life, heavy menstration and endometriosis.  Then I was also diagnosed with narcolepsy.  Now I am reading a link between celiac and Hashimo's.  I have so many of the symptoms it is scary.  I plan on looking into this to see if it helps.  I know how frustrating this is.  It's good to know you aren't alone.
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Avatar universal
Unbelievable!  

As with any medication, Armour Thyroid can also cause allergic reactions. In fact, it may have a higher risk for allergic reactions, since it contains ground-up pig thyroid glands. Seek medical attention immediately if you develop signs of an allergic reaction, including:

• An unexplained rash
• Hives
• Itching
• Wheezing or difficulty breathing
• Unexplained swelling (especially of the lips, mouth, or throat).
• Feeling hot all the time and increased sweating

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