Allergic reactions to all thyroid medications

[4bboys]

Just wondering if anyone has experienced what i am going through, i have tried levothyroxine, lithorine, and now Armour but whenever dose is upped i am itching all-over to the point it is unbearable. My thyroid readings are some of the worst the doctor has seen but i cannot stay on medication as i cannot go on like this. I am wondering if through diet and some natural supplements it could be managed although i know blood results would never be fine. Have been going to see a private Endocrinologist but he has not heard of these symptoms and now does not know what to do.

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK]

Have you tried taking any antihistamines?

Not suggesting long-term use as a sensible way forward. Rather, if they help, it points towards some sort of histamine-causing issue as a cause of what you are suffering.

Have you carefully checked every excipient in the products you have tried?

Some, such as forms of maize starch and cellulose, are present in at least most products. If you have an allergic reaction to something, and you can find out what it is, you at least might be able to identify your enemy.

What makes it difficult is that what we see listed doesn't always identify the sources of the excipients. Some come from corn (maize) even when it isn't obvious - such as dextrose.

I suggest you make clear and complete lists. Post here. Work your way through. See if anything seems to be in common across the products you have taken.

More than happy to try to help (and getting the list for Armour is easy) but only you know what specific products you have tried. And whether any are particularly bad - or very slightly less bad than others.

I am fairly convinced that many of us who can tolerate things in our diets and even other medicines, somehow cannot when they are in the formulation of a thyroid medicine. For example, we see members who definitely do better on lactose-free thyroid medicines but can safely consume foods which have plenty of lactose.

You might find this helpful in locating information about products.

helvella - Thyroid Hormone Medicines

I have created, and try to maintain, a document containing details of all thyroid hormone medicines in the UK and, in less detail, many others around the world.

From Dropbox:

dropbox.com/s/wfhrlmb5983co...

From Google Drive:

drive.google.com/file/d/12N...

[4bboys in reply to helvella]

Thanks for email

Yes i have tried every antihistamine especially at the beginning when symptoms first started but they never done any good. Will look into what you are suggesting

[Sparklingsunshine]

Hi

I just wondered if you've looked into a low histamine diet. It might be something you are eating which in itself isn't a problem, but when combined with thyroid meds could be setting off a reaction.

[Jazzw]

Have you tried liquid thyroxine? Some people seem to have better luck with that when allergic to the tablet versions but it’s quite pricey so doctors “forget” to mention the possibility…

[Twinglesmom4]

I’m in the same boat as you with not being able to take any medications for hypothyroidism , my throat closes up and my dr thinks I’m crazy..I’ve tried them all..I was doing just ok on 13 millagrans of tirosin drops for awhile, maybe 6 months then he insisted I go up to 25, my throat closed within days..went off everything for another 6 months , went back to 13 and within days throat closed up..let me know if you have come up with anything worth sharing