I started with severe hayfever in March (tree pollen i thought) and this has continued throughout the year with a few very brief periods of relief. I have read that there is a connection between hypothyroidism and allergic rhinitis. What I don't understand is why I should develop this now when I am being treated for an underactive thyroid rather than in earlier years when still undiagnosed. Does anyone else have experience of this and if so can anyone recommend an effective treatment.
I would be so grateful for any suggestions.
Best wishes
Caroline
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Caroline888
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As I understand it, hypothyroidism is associated with hormonal rhinitis in pregnancy; but allergic rhinitis seems to be associated not with hypothyroidism per se, but with autoimmune Hashimoto's, in which Th2 responses are dominant. This would explain your AR symptoms arising irrespective of treatment for hypothyroidism, because the connection is with the autoimmunity aspect and not the disfunction aspect, therefore supplementing to address the latter would have no impact on AR. So the big question is, have you been diagnosed with Hashimoto's?
Yes, I do have Hashimoto's. I have gone gf to try and reduce the number of TPO antibodies but from your reply, I guess that won't make any difference to the AR. I guess I'll just have to hope it will cure itself somehow!
You are so right! I had a problem with Actavis levo in the early days of my treatment and the cause appeared to be acacia. I changed to Wockhardt which does not contain acacia and have been fine ever since.
My symptoms with Actavis were severe joint pains though. I really have no idea why I have suddenly this year developed allergic rhinitis. Except that, as you say, it's another autoimmune disease to which it seems we are particularly susceptible😕.
Hi, I have hashi's and had allergic rhinitis for years. Had food allergy testing and found it was the onion family causing it. Havnt eaten them for about 6 months now and rhinitis gone. It was kinesiology testing.
Did you always have the allergy to onions or did it come on suddenly after you had previously been eating them without any problem?
I have had slight hay fever for years but not bad enough to warrant taking antihistamines. This year, though, has been totally different. Some days are a nightmare! I know that there are worse things and that I’m lucky really that it is a relatively benign condition. I do get brief periods of respite. I think too I’ve not really been helping myself as I’ve only been taking antihistamines irregularly. From now on I’m taking them every day to see if it helps.
You have made me feel so much better by telling me about the testing you had and its successful outcome. I will try that if the problem persists despite regular intake of antihistamines. Thank you so much for your help.
Hi Caroline888, I have never suffered from hayfever and was only diagnosed with hashi's in 2014 (altho the Doc thought I'd been under-active for years as I've had M.E. for 20+). I had always eaten onions, etc. then about 5 years ago the rhinitis started and never stopped, until onions were found to be the culprit. Good luck.
That's really interesting! So, on that basis, I could suddenly have developed an allergy to something I've previously eaten for years without any problem.
I was diagnosed with Hashimoto's in August last year and the allergic rhinitis started this spring. All year I believed it was a seasonal thing and would eventually go away. But it hasn't.
What does kinesiology testing involve? Is it private testing?
I just hope nuts aren't the problem as I love them and I know they can cause problems for a lot of people.
Thank you so much for your help and advice. I'm really grateful.
I started having allergic reactions 3 years ago. They started out of the blue. I have been on thyroid meds for over 22 years. Never had an issue prior. I now take a zyrtec daily and that seems to help me.
Thank you so much for taking the time to reply and for telling me your history and what has worked for you. I feel so much more hopeful😊. I have now (today) started to take Clarityn regularly but will try Zyrtec next if it doesn’t work. I hadn’t heard of Zyrtec before but have just Googled it and it sounds good!
Thank you so much for your help. I’m grateful.
Best wishes
Caroline
I have AR but zyrtec-d doesnt help. Ive tried several otc and RXs but nothing seems to work to stop the nasal drip. It started when I moved to WI in 2015. It seens like something environmental to me, but Ive been allergic tested at the Madison VA and I have no allergies acording to them. I have never been test for Hosh. Disease. Is that a thyroid disease? Was listening to Dr Brownstein on Youtube who says that most thyroid problems are caused by severe depletion of iodine in the body and that over 75% of people are in need of a iodine suppliment. I do take iodine every day and the last time I had my thyroid tested it was ok. Anyway, if anyone knows how to stop this darn nasal dripping please help. Judy
I was diagnosed last year with Hashimoto's, which is an autoimmune thyroid disease, and have suffered (coincidentally or not) from allergic rhinitis all this year. Although allergies run on my side of the family, I have never had more than a few extra sneezes in tree pollen season, until this year.
I have been taking Benadryl every day for the last month or two and this does seem to help.
However I am now getting over a really bad cold and have that dreaded post nasal drip and the constant feeling of having to clear my throat.
I find Fisherman's Friends lozenges help and also inhaling Olbas oil from a tissue but, from past experience, I know it tends to persist for quite a while.
Iodine supplementation is a very tricky issue with thyroid disease. We need enough but too much can be a problem. It's always recommended on this site that we are tested for iodine deficiency before supplementing. However, Dr. Izabella Wentz, who is a thyroid expert, does say in her book that the amount typically present in a multivitamin should do no harm.
I hope you find the answer to curing your post nasal drip - I know how very annoying it is.
I hope that you had a good Christmas despite it and that you have a happy (and healthier) New Year.😊
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