Hypothyroidism and hives

Hello everyone. This is my first post and only found this website after going on one solid month of ridiculous, angry itch hives on my hands, arms, now starting on my back and a couple on my face. First, I have been on .125 milligrams of synthroid for several years now. In October my hands, wrists and forearms were causing me a great deal of pain which also involved so much swelling in my hands that I've had my wedding rings increased from a 6.75 to an 7.50 and now to a 9. I was diagnosed in January with Osteoarthritis and AT FIRST was told my blood tested positive for Rheum. Arth. After going to see an actual Rhem Doctor and a Neurologist, it was determined that I do not have actual RA although my blood carries that junk found in Lupus (so confusing to me). Okay, so I was prescribed Celebrex (400m per day) which I have been taking for a couple of months but quit one week ago when this hive issue had become unbearable - thought perhaps I am allergic? Went to see my Rheum. Dr. last Wednesday and said he thought I had infected hair folicles (WTH?). I am an extremely clean person and found this to be quite offensive. Ended up at an Urgent Care Center on Thursday - leaving work early because I was scratching myself crazy - was given a steroid injection and placed on 6 days of steroids. I do take Allegra daily and have also been taking Benadryl at night, PLUS, the urgent care doctor gave me a prescription to help control the itch (basically a stronger version of Benadryl) which I have been taking since last Thursday. Nothing seems to help, only getting worse. I went to my primary care doctor yesterday and he confirmed the mystery! I have HIVES! OMG, I am so wore out. He prescribed a higher dose of steroids (which I have not filled) and wanted me to come back and see him in a week if they don't get better, which I know they will not, and then send me to a dermatologist. I am at my wits end..., but then I found this forum! Why, oh why did my doctor never even bring up my hypothroidism and the possibility that it is the cause of these disgusting angry hives? Anyway, I went to GNC this morning and purchased $95.00 worth of Tumeric and a Probiotic to hopefully help ease my joint and bone pain since I am now off of Celebrex and the Probiotic to try to strengthen my immune system. BTW, I work out regularly and have for 17 years straight. I am by all rights at least to the human eye, in good shape on the outside except for the ugly hives and now scabs riddling my arms and hands (starting on my back now). Any advice any of you can give me would be greatly appreciated. I really want to try and help myself and not have to spend anymore money on special doctors and stupid prescriptions that ARE NOT helping.

There's definitely an association between Hashimoto's autoimmune thyroiditis and hives. I agree that getting a new thyroid panel, including antibody testing, is a good first step.

First step is to get tested and rule out autoimmune. If that comes up negative, you shouldnt have to demand a drug switch, your doctor should assume its a possibility of a reaction to a filler in your current medication. So there should be no need to demand, just a simple request. As we age, or diseases advance, our bodies change and we can develope new allergies. That said, though the doctor may be easily convinced of the switch, your insurance company may not be. They dont like to pay for more expensive drugs if they dont have to. If you do have an issue with the insurance company, it should be as easy as getting your doctor to write your insurance company and explain your need to switch to a more pure form of the medication. Good luck!

That was his answer? Geez. Ok. Good luck, hope the hives go away.

This is the problem with doctors. We will take a wait and see approach. Wait a few days.....and what if the rash doesnt go away? Not only do you continue to experience the hives, your thyroid levels will be dropping because you stopped taking your medication. He could have called you in and sent you for labs today, and in a few days, while your still taking your meds thus keeping your levels up, if the results came back that it is not an autoimmune issue switch you to Tirosint as a trial at that point. Makes me shake my head.

Update. Got a call back from the Ruem. Doctor's office -- he's referring me to an Endocrinologist. Can't get in to see this doctor until May 18, but hopefully by Monday I'll still be walking upright and can get my doctor to call in Tirosint for me since he did advise me to stop taking the levothyroxine which I did yesterday. Perhaps it's my imagination, but the new hives have slowed down. I had been waking up scratching myself to death every night and usually woke up with anywhere from 4 - 10 new hives (then leaky sores). This morning only a couple of new "gifts" and slept a good 6-7 hours. Sure, I took two Benadryl before I went to bed along with one of my Hydroxyzine pills, but I slept! Haven't taken even one of the Hydroxyzine pills today and want to try and get through the rest of the day without one. Thanks again all for your input.