allergies

[Maggimai]

Hi everyone, I have hashimotos, I don't have a blood test result at the moment, I am looking for advice regarding allergic reaction to the bulking agents in my levothyroxine treatment. I have severe Urticaria and red itchy rashes which is driving me insane, I have been to dermatologist, who sidelined the fact I have proven to myself that levothyroxine is the cause of my condition, instead she prescribed me a gamut of antihestime treatment, which all have an effect on gut, liver and kidneys, all because I'm told the capsule non bulking agent thyroxine treatment costs too much, same excuse I got for depriving me of T3. can anyone suggest a strategy that might help me convince the medical profession I have a right to proper treatment. any suggestion would be appropriated. thanks a million

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Urticaria is linked to the fact you have Hashimoto's

hypothyroidmom.com/chronic-...

Are you on strictly gluten free diet?

What are your recent Thyroid test results and ranges like for TSH, FT3 and FT4

Plus vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 need to be optimal, not just somewhere within range

[Maggimai in reply to SlowDragon]

Thanks Slow Dragon

The endo was made fully aware of the dermatologist report but made no comment that explained she knew anything about the Urticaria been connected to Hashimoto, It leaves you feeling hopeless when those who refer you to endocrinologist know no more about your condition than the person who referred.

I'm going back to bed to cover my head till the postman delivers the test equipment from Medichecks

[SlowDragon Administrator]

You really need full Thyroid evaluation - TSH, FT4, TT4, FT3 plus TPO and TG thyroid antibodies. Plus very important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12

Private tests are available. Thousands on here forced to do this as NHS often refuses to test FT3 and/or antibodies

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/testin...

Medichecks Thyroid plus ultra vitamin or Blue Horizon Thyroid plus eleven are the most popular choice. DIY finger prick test or option to pay extra for private blood draw. Both companies often have money off offers.

All thyroid tests should ideally be done as early as possible in morning and fasting.

If on Levothyroxine, don't take in the 24 hours prior to test, delay and take straight after. This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip, GP will be unaware)

[Beata_s]

Have you tried zinc ? It helped me hugely with my severely itchy scalp

[Maggimai in reply to Beata_s]

hi beata, thanks

I do take zinc daily.

[Beata_s]

This is interesting zinc article and it’s role

In body

lpi.oregonstate.edu/mic/min...

I have previously posted another article about hyp/zinc treatment

Hope these help ?

[silverfox7]

Did the anti histamine stop the nasty symptoms? If so you you have an allergy to the fillers. You need to try a different brand of medication. Yes they all have fillers in them to bulk up the tablet and to make it stable and different brands also have several fillers but not identical ones. Have a word with the pharmacist, she may recommebdca brand but you may not drop lucky on your first change but swap again if that's the case.

Once you find one that works then get that brand out in your notes and on the card the Pharmacist holds listing any meds you are taking. Your doctor may need to actually name it on your next prescription.

The one your doctor was referring to is liquid and additives free but she is right in saying ifs very expensive!

[Maggimai in reply to silverfox7]

hi, no the anti histamine treatment made no differance to the urticaria and itchy skin symptoms, I suspected it wouldn't since I have to take levothyroxine every day, I seldom get the same brand twice in a row. I am due another prescription soon, I usually get two months supply at a time, in future I will make note of each different pharmaceutical company name and what bulking material they use to see if I can get to bottom of which causes the worst of my symptoms. I take zinc every other day and selenium, vit D spray and vit 12.

I am due another blood test at end of month, I suspect I'm going to have to save up for T3 test etc.

thank you so much for your help

[RedApple Administrator in reply to Maggimai]

Out of interest, which antihistamines have you been trying?

Am also curious to know how you've proven to yourself that it's the levothyroxine itself causing these symptoms?

[Maggimai in reply to RedApple]

fexofenadine, I simply stopped taking thyroid treatment for a week. and found itchy urticaria symptoms greatly reduced.

[Maggimai in reply to silverfox7]

Hi Silverfox

The antihistamines helped when the Urticaria flared up which always did about an hour or two after taking levothyroxine.

However. the effects of the antihista.comine worked only for a few hours at a time

[silverfox7]

I'd have thought if the antihistamines haven't stopped the problem then it's not an allergy. Best time to take them is an hour before your thyroid meds. Like RedAplle I'm also curious to know how you have proved it's the Levo that is the problem.

It's also sensible to always stick with the same brand as different brands are likely to have different potency so if your are chopping and changing it can have an effect. Consistency is so important I think to successfully treat thyroid problems.

[Maggimai in reply to silverfox7]

I'm not chopping and changing meds, I go to same chemist, they seem to have different brand levothyroxine every two months. I have suggested to my GP perhaps the urticaria and itch could be due to the different brands of levo I am given by chemist every 2 months, GP thinks that is nonsense and that all brand contents are the same, however, I noticed for each brand the litrature list of contraindications has same list of allergic reactions to the drug, so it would seem manufacturers are aware the drug causes itch/rash and urticaria.

[helvella Administrator in reply to Maggimai]

Many of us make sure that we get the same make every time we get our prescriptions fulfilled. You could ask the pharmacy to always dispense the same make. Many pharmacies will try. I always ask what make they they dispense when I take my prescription in.

Mostly, if you go to Boots you will get Almus, or if you got to Lloyds you will get Northstar - both of which are just Acatavis just in different outer sleeves. (Actavis do not make a 25 microgram tablet which can be a problem.)

If you read the Patient Information Leaflets (PIL) of many medicines, you will find a similar warning of possible side effects. For example:

• Severe allergic reactions: difficulty breathing, skin rash, swollen facial features or a runny nose.

• Very rare cases of serious skin reactions have been reported. Symptoms could include skin reddening, blisters or rash

... from a standard paracetamol tablet. Or

During the marketing of desloratadine, cases of severe allergic reactions (difficulty in breathing, wheezing, itching, hives, swelling and rash) have been reported very rarely. If you notice any of these serious side effects, stop taking the medicine and seek urgent medical advice straight away.

... from a standard anti-histamine!

Most certainly thyroid hormones and our histamine systems interact in complex ways. But reading back from possible side effects to try to establish a clear cause and effect between the active ingredient and urticaria might not be appropriate.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Maggimai]

It's well known by endocrinologists who specialise in thyroid that different brands of Levothyroxine are very different

Always stick to same brand. Pick up real prescription from GP surgery and ring around local pharmacies until you find the brand you need

Some have acacia powder in, that many people react to

See summing up at end of article

academic.oup.com/jcem/artic...

[Maggimai in reply to SlowDragon]

thank you so much, I will check out the main pharmacies in my borough to find out which levo brand they have and what bulking agent is used, with a special look out for acacia.

[Kazbe in reply to Maggimai]

Hi Maggimai

Mercury Pharma Levo 25mcg has acacia in it and lots of fillers , but Wockhart is suppose to have less fillers and be good if you are very sensitive !

Teva causes lots of problems for people even though they have brought out the lactose free one now !

I’ve tried all of them and Mercury Pharma suits me best of all its definitely worth trying them to see which you feel best on then ask your dr to write the make which suits you on the prescription

Hope you get sorted take care

Kazbe

[Maggimai in reply to Kazbe]

thank you Kazbe, I will do that

[Marz]

Do you know your B12 level ? Once I started supplementing high amounts and then injecting I no longer suffered ! It was so bad I had to sleep with my arms bandaged.- where the itchy lumps lived. 😊

[Maggimai in reply to Marz]

thank you Marz, im getting another blood test soon, I'm taking b12 in spray form, but have no idea how any of my vit needs are till blood test.

[Marz in reply to Maggimai]

If you are taking the B12 Spray then testing will produce a skewed result and is of little value. Just keep up the good work with the spray. It is also suggested to take a good B complex as B12 needs B9 or Folate to work with in the body and it keeps all the B vitamins in balance. I know more expense - but what price health ?

[Maggimai in reply to Marz]

tha.k you Marz.