hives-like rash with hypothyroidism

[2ndBaby]

I was diagnosed with hypothyroid about 10 years ago.  At the time of diagnosis, I had a red rash all over my legs and torso.  In time that went away, but over the course of years I've developed a skin condition similar to hives.  They appear nearly anywhere, but rarely on my face or scalp.  Have any of you ever experienced anything like this?  Do you think it is associated with my thyroid?  Over the years I've changed laundry detergents, soaps, etc...I use every hypoallergenic product I can find.

Any ideas?

[thomthod]

Bonk

you are not too far off from me!  I am a 50 year old male and I had the welts under the eyes as well as on the wrists and feet.  Usually getting it between index  finger and thumb.  I have Hashimotos and on Armour soon to switch to Natur throid.  I went gluten and dairy free and my symptoms are sub siding one by one.  I also have the MTHFR gene so the body swells from toxins.  I take methylated folate for that.  I have not had the welts on face since the sping and its been about 2 months on my wrists.  Its sounds like my hives are not as bad as yours!


Thom

[bonk65]

I read a lot of very recognizable stories here. Problem is that a lot of solutions mentioned are either vague or do not work. I am a 49 yr old male and was diagnosed with hypothyroidism when I turned 40. Since 3-4 months I slowly got these spots like ringworm, but they were not that. Now they have turned into hives and were it started on my hands, wrist arms, it is now spread all over, even my face and the horrible itchy bumps on my head. Good lord.... this is exhausting. I wake up from the itches. One morning I woke up and felt a little tingle on my eyebrow and knew that there was going to appear a hive. It was thick and closed half my eye. I had stopped taking Synthroid a year ago and when the doc told me to start it again, I did and for a glorious whole week I was itch and hive free... But it came back with a vengeance...  It is worse than ever. Should I stop the Synthroid? I take 3 Zyrtecs a day but to no avail. Benadryl at night to get sleep, but only for 3-4 hours. Not sure if I would rather be in pain or have itches... Tonite I will take an oatmeal bath (recommendation by CVS 'doc').. I'll take anything!!!

[AmethystM]

I am hypo and just got a strange rash on my chest.  I used Calamine lotion and tea tree oil (not at the same time).  It started to improve, but now I am getting hives on my left leg.  Just my leg. I have been on synthroid since October 2013.  If I was allergic to the medication, why would it happen now?  Just wondering.

[SFgirl2014]

Extreme itching prior to my period!

I have been on thyroid medication for 90 days and am suffering from rashes, hives right before my period.  In addition, I am experiencing severe heartburn and swelling itching of feet.

Going to start to consult my doctor to find other options as I can not function with these severe symptoms.

[chadvidas]

I went through hell with this rash to only find out the oils in your skin are greatly reduced after thyroid removal--I suffered 6 years b4 somebody could tell me this your cure is simple lotion and lots of it put it everywhere this will stop any future outbreaks but you have to use right away in the places where you get the rash 1st then all over as well.

[gimel]

Sounds like you may have the primary cause for diagnosed hypothyroidism, which is Hashimoto's Thyroiditis.  With Hashi's the autoimmune system erroneously identifies the thyroid gland as being foreign to the body and produces antibodies to attack and eventually destroy the gland.  Along the way thyroid hormone production is diminished and requires gradually increasing amounts of thyroid medication to offset the loss of natural thyroid hormone.

Sometimes the antibodies can cause a rash which is frequently referred to as Hashi's Rash.  If you want to read more about it, just enter it in the search MedHelp area in top right hand corner of page.  

If you have already been teted for Free T3 and Free T4, please psot resuts and their reference ranges shown on the lab report.  If not tested then you should make sure to always get tested for  Free T3 and Free T4 (not Total T3 and Total T4) each time you go in for tests.  Free T3 is the most important because it largely regulates metabolism and many other body functions.  Scientific studies have also shown that Free T3 correlated best with hypo symptoms while Free T4 and TSH did not correlate at all.  

A good thyroid doctor will treat a hypo patient clinically by testing and adjusting Free T3 and Free T4 as necessary to relieve symptoms, without being constrained by resultant TSH levels.  You can get some good insight into clinical treatment from this letter written by a good thyroid doctor for patients that he sometimes consults with after initial tests and evaluation.  The letter is then sent to the participating doctor of the patient to help guide treatment.  In the letter, please note the statement, "the ultimate
criterion for dose adjustment must always be the clinical response of the patient."

http://hormonerestoration.com/files/ThyroidPMD.pdf

So fromm reading the link above, you can readily see that what you need is that good thyroid doctor that will treat clinically and raise your Free T3 and Free T4 as necessary to relieve symptoms.  In addition, we have had a number of reports from members that had some success at relieving hives by assuring they are getting the recommended daily allowance of selenium.  Selenium seems to dampen the effect of the antibodies.

One thing further is that hypo patients often find they are also too low in the ranges for Vitamin D, B12 and ferritin.  You should make sure to get those tested as well.