Severe Hives and other thyroid-like symptoms

[Annette01]

Thank God! I think that I finally have the answer. I hope that this helps someone else. My HIVES are HORMONE related. I have long suspected this because my first bout with them (that lasted 1 1/2 yrs) ended immediately when I stopped taking birth control. This last bout (4 months so far) started after my second child was born. So many others on here talked about related symptoms--dark patches on skin, thyroid-like symptoms, pain in chest, fatigue, feeling cold, occasional hair loss, and HIVES so severe that even with taking 13 prescribed anti-histamines and acid reducers a day, my entire body was covered every night until mid-morning. Thinking that it was my diet or bedding, I changed where I slept and went on semi-fasts. I kept a food/drug journal to note trends. I was miserable, and they were starting to control my life. Prayer changes things. Someone on here mentioned hormone cream; I had my thyroid checked with an Endochronologist, talked to my Dermatologist and Gynocologist, but they all said that I was completely healthy, and they did not think that it was hormone related. Then I read Dr. Lee's book "What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Menopause" (really more of a general guide to hormone balance). IT HAS WORKED! You really ought to read it, but here is what I have been doing based on the book:

1) Use a Natural Progesterone Cream morning and night
2 )Drink more water
3) Take anti-oxidants such as green tea tabs & 8000-1000mg of Vit C
4) 400 IUs of Vit E twice a day
5) 500 mg Flaxseed oil twice a day
6) Take a Multivitamin
7) Take 500mg of Quercetin with Bromelain twice a day.
8) Take Vitex morning and night
9) Take 1000mg of Magnesium at bedtime
10) eliminated MILK from my diet--my worst episodes were always after I drank a glass of it or ate ice cream; I can still have cheese, yogurt, and sour cream. Dr. Lee explains in his book that an inflamed and aggravated system will allergically react to milk.

It took a few weeks, but my hives are practically gone. I only take one chlorotab and one Loratidine at night to keep the lingering ones at bay.

Another tip: You can get Natural Progesterone Cream at most health food stores.The cheapest that I have found is the 4oz Lifeflo brand at $20.00 on the Swanson's website (they also have Vitex for $2.99 a bottle).Get the type of Progesterone Cream in a pump as the type in a jar deteriorates in the presence of oxygen. Use the cream (not oral tabs) that contains around 500mg per ounce. Good Luck to everyone. I have felt so sorry for so many of you because I also suffered so greatly. Don't let anyone tell you that there is not an answer or to wait it out. What I am doing may not help you, but there is an answer. God Bless.

[Annette01]

Also, Dr. Lee discusses adrenal fatigue and its symptoms in his book and says that it can be a result of hormone imbalance.

[Annette01]

You were right about the magnesium. I was only taking 500mg a day. I hope that anyone else who read my comment above read what you said as well. I am taking a B-complex as well. I am glad that you are feeling better; it has really helped me to try to aggressively pursue an answer to my problem and not just accept that it is hopeless.

[stella5349]

ACTH is a comprehensive test that should be done for adrenal fatigue. It is done usually when cortisol levels are low like mine are. I am pushing to get it - but at this time my doc poo-poos it.

In addition to the magnesium stuff. If you take to much magnesium you deplete your body of copper too.and B Vit suffers. This will effect your thyroid if it is too depleted. Calcium depletion could also follow and we are sensitive to bone problems.

You need to balance the two or wind up getting into trouble down the road

When you are messing with minerals it is so important to know your levels or you can become self toxic.

I am just learning most of this and not be far - an expert ...... yet  :)

But what I have done for almost a month - has made me a human being again. I can smile now and really mean it!

[Annette01]

I went to several doctors who all ran many tests. Although I do not remember all of the tests that were ran, I know that my thyroid was okay; my adrenal gland was okay; I tested negative for Lupus; my white counts were okay; my ObGyn said hormones were a long shot, and my Endocrinologist assured me my hormone levels were fine. Everyone was very sympathetic but could find nothing. I had cortisone shots, Prednisone, sleeping pills, a wide variety of anti-histamines, and nothing helped. My dermatologist told me that some of her patients have had these for years. Until I used the Progesterone, I got hives on my eyelids,under my toenails, internally and externally so severely that I had difficulty breathing and could not stand for clothes to touch my body. Thankfully, I am not working, or there is no way I could have made it to a job.I would like to have my hormone levels checked  by a series of saliva tests as I have many other symptoms of Estrogen dominance, but I need a physician who will be willing to step outside of the box for treatment. Thanks for the heads up on the Magnesium. The book said only take the higher amounts short term-until the hormones are in balance. I have been taking these for about 12 weeks. What is a ACTH test?

[stella5349]

I have seen the reading you talk about and know many good things are in the book. I am glad you feel good - however the magnesium is very high and you should look into that farther. You should not consume more that 400-600 mg daily and if you need to there is a deficency other than thyroid that is controlling your issues. Your liver can not keep up with so much of one supplement. and you must be cleaning out very well every day.

Did you have a cortisol test for adrenals? and did you have a ACTH test?   I know test may not be conclusive in detecting hormone changes thoughout the day - but something should be ran prior to starting therapy. MAybe you had that done and it is just not posted here.

Again - I am happy you feel well.