Red welts & Sweling on face caused by an autoimmune response.

[FJM3]

New on here & looking for any help, really frustrated with my symptoms. For the past year I have been experiencing hives & swelling on my face, really violent red welts & swelling. A few months ago got some bloods done which showed positive for thyroid antibodies. GP telling me just to get on with it, says its caused by an immune response. Dermatologist has me on fexofenadine - 4 times the recommend dose! Still barely containing it & last week had to have a 3 day course of steroids too. GP is not concerned,says will just test bloods once a year. I am going back tomorrow to see the gp again as it's really impacting my life, have only had 3-4 days clear of the hives in the last 6weeks. Have googled it & it is a thing, also an illness called Hasimitos keeps popping up which no one has mentioned to me at all. I am 45 and previously healthy any advice please. Thank you. Xx

[greygoose]

If you have raised TPO antibodies, then you have Hashimoto's. Doctors, for some reason. It means that you have an autoimmune disease which is attacking your thyroid. That can cause all sorts of symptoms.

Did you have your thyroid levels tested? TSH, FT4 and - possibly - FT3. Your doctor isn't concerned because, the odds are, he knows nothing about thyroid.

[FJM3 in reply to greygoose]

Thank you. I am back at the gp in the morning so will clarify which levels are raised ect. Appreciate all the advice.

[greygoose in reply to FJM3]

You're welcome.

[Jaydee1507 Administrator]

You could also look at mast cell activation, there's a few groups on Facebook. Have you tried changing your diet to see what might help?

[Rapunzel]

FJM3

greygoose has given some wise advice there. You must get a copy of your blood test results as what many doctors see as normal are very far from that. If your doctor will not test appropriately, thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/testin... will help - you can get yourself tested. Alternatively suggest tests to your dermatologist.

This is so frightening. One morning early on in my hypothyroid journey I woke up with swollen lips worthy of Angelina Jolie which is not a good look for a woman in her fifties. I had tiny painful blisters on my fingers and an awful rash on my neck. Your body is trying to tell you something. Listen. It may not be a thyroid problem but don't give up until you know and never take 'normal' for an answer.

We are here for you and there are some wise and generous people who may help you if you post bloods. Good luck

[radd]

FJM,

Welcome to our forum.

Hashimoto’s is very common and caused by the immune system making antibodies to attack proteins in our thyroid gland causing a gradual decrease in hormone.

If a high thyroid gland antibody count is not managed, the body can become stuck in a chronic state of immune system overload, adrenal insufficiency, impaired digestion, inflammation, and thyroid hormone release abnormalities. You can end up becoming more & more intolerant to various foods, chemicals and environmental toxins.

This over response of the immune system can present in many ways from a gluten intolerance to aches in our bones//muscles, hives & rashes or asthma attacks, etc.

Are you medicating thyroid hormone yet as hormone replacement will support the immune system. Supplementing selenium has not only been shown to reduce TPOAb (thyroid antibodies) but aids the workings of thyroid hormone (T4 - T3 conversion)..

Because the immune system is in a heightened state, many experience an over reaction to gluten (and dairy) which can cause autoimmune damage to the intestines resulting in poor absorption of nutrients. The immune cells are constantly analysing the proteins looking for foreign invaders and many members have found a gluten free diet to be beneficial in calming the immune response and helping to eliminate seemly unconnected ailments//conditions.

A good read to understand autoimmunity and how it presents is "The Root Cause" by Isabella Wentz.

If you have recently started Levothyroxine that could be a possible cause due to an intolerance to the fillers within the pill.. Ask for a paper copy of your results and post complete with ranges (numbers in brackets) for members to comment.

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Thyroid//gluten connection

chriskresser.com/the-gluten...

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Hashimotos

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_...

[Acr57]

Hi there, I was diagnosed with hypothyroid. Prescribed thyroxine. To start with 50g and was ok but it was not enough. When I increased the dose to 100g, within a day I was covered in a rash and suffering from hives. Doctor didn't have a clue why. Pharmacist suggested I change 'brand' as it may be due to the fillers. I had a break for three weeks until all symptoms had disappeared then changed brands with the help of my brilliant local pharmacist. No hives. Due a blood test tomorrow and possible increase in dose as do not yet feel 100% yet but getting there. Hope this helps.