Hives on scalp: I haven't posted for a while but... - Thyroid UK

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Hives on scalp

Oraney profile image
15 Replies

I haven't posted for a while but I developed Hives on my scalp, few itchy spots on my upper body and itchy ears in February. Was given fexofenadine and lotion which calmed the itching down but never went away, every time I've tried to stop the antihistamine I have to start it again. I've got oral lichen planus in my mouth which I manage. I take 75mg levothyroxine wondering if its connected? Had blood test in April 23 because of the itching and my results for thyroid are

FREE T4 17.7

TSH 0.31

I queried the TSH as showing out of range and dr said it would show that as I've got an underactive thyroid not sure if this is right?

My cholesterol was 5.9 and I've got CKD stage 3a so was offered statins in a text from drs but I'm giving it 6 months and having another blood test.

Can you please advise on my levels and the hives please.

Thank you.

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Oraney
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SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator

Suggest you read my replies in this post from earlier today

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

Get FULL thyroid and vitamin testing

If not already on strictly gluten free diet get GP to do coeliac blood test BEFORE trial of strictly gluten free diet

Lichen planus also likely to improve on GF diet

Hives and hashimoto’s often go together

Oraney profile image
Oraney in reply to SlowDragon

I eat a wheat free diet at the moment but shall change to a gluten free. Was told yrs ago I am probably border line coeliac by a consultant after a biopsy on my bowel. Will also get a full private thyroid test. Thank you for your reply.

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator in reply to Oraney

Hashimoto's affects the gut and leads to low stomach acid and then low vitamin levels

Low vitamin levels affect Thyroid hormone working

Poor gut function can lead leaky gut (literally holes in gut wall) this can cause food intolerances.

Most common by far is gluten.

Dairy is second most common.

A trial of strictly gluten free diet is always worth doing

Only 5% of Hashimoto’s patients test positive for coeliac but a further 81% of Hashimoto’s patients who try gluten free diet find noticeable or significant improvement or find it’s essential

A strictly gluten free diet helps or is essential due to gluten intolerance (no test available) or due to leaky gut and gluten causing molecular mimicry (see Amy Myers link)

Changing to a strictly gluten free diet may help reduce symptoms, help gut heal and may slowly lower TPO antibodies

Trying gluten free diet for 3-6 months. If no noticeable improvement then reintroduce Rye or Barley and see if symptoms get worse

chriskresser.com/the-gluten...

amymyersmd.com/2018/04/3-re...

thyroidpharmacist.com/artic...

drknews.com/changing-your-d...

Non Coeliac Gluten sensitivity (NCGS) and autoimmune disease

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/296...

The predominance of Hashimoto thyroiditis represents an interesting finding, since it has been indirectly confirmed by an Italian study, showing that autoimmune thyroid disease is a risk factor for the evolution towards NCGS in a group of patients with minimal duodenal inflammation. On these bases, an autoimmune stigma in NCGS is strongly supported

nuclmed.gr/wp/wp-content/up...

In summary, whereas it is not yet clear whether a gluten free diet can prevent autoimmune diseases, it is worth mentioning that HT patients with or without CD benefit from a diet low in gluten as far as the progression and the potential disease complications are concerned

restartmed.com/hashimotos-g...

Despite the fact that 5-10% of patients have Celiac disease, in my experience and in the experience of many other physicians, at least 80% + of patients with Hashimoto's who go gluten-free notice a reduction in their symptoms almost immediately.

Similarly few months later consider trying dairy free too. Approx 50-60% find dairy free beneficial

Hashimoto’s and leaky gut often occur together

Oraney profile image
Oraney in reply to SlowDragon

Thank you for all the information. I don't eat dairy but finding it even harder with diet as trying to cut out salt and lots of gluten free products are quite high in salt especially bread. My diet is mainly fresh non processed food.

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator in reply to Oraney

Why are you cutting salt

Adrenals need plenty of salt

Best GF bread in my view….Waitrose sliced brown seeded

Oraney profile image
Oraney in reply to SlowDragon

Because of CKD disease at the moment I'm stage 3a but don't want to get worse.

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator in reply to Oraney

Your kidney disease is highly likely fully reversible once thyroid is correctly treated

Low Ft3 results in impaired kidney function

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl....

The GFR is reversibly reduced (by about 40%) in more than 55% of adults with hypothyroidism[40] due to several reasons.

There is a reversible reduction in the kidney to body weight ratio in hypothyroidism, where the renal mass almost doubles with treatment. Hypothyroidism results in a reversible elevation in serum creatinine due to the reduction in GFR as well as possible myopathy and rhabdomyolysis. There is a reduction in serum cystatin C levels in hypothyroidism due to reduced production, consequent to reduced cellular metabolism.[30] Both these changes are reversible with treatment of hypothyroidism.

Oraney profile image
Oraney in reply to SlowDragon

Thank you that would be good news.

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator in reply to Oraney

Ft3 needs to be at least 50-60% through range

First step is to get all four vitamins at optimal levels as this will improve conversion rate of Ft4 to Ft3

Trialing Gluten free/dairy free as cause of your hypothyroidism is autoimmune

Then if Ft3 remains low look at getting T3 prescribed alongside levothyroxine

List of thyroid specialists and endocrinologists who will prescribe T3 if necessary

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

Oraney profile image
Oraney in reply to SlowDragon

Thanks for your advice and support it's given me a clearer picture of what I've got to do.

Jaydee1507 profile image
Jaydee1507Administrator

Looking back at an old post of yours from 2 years ago your FT3 was quite low. healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

Your current results don't include an FT3 so I would recommend doing a private test if GP not able to do that for you. Private tests are available, see link for companies offering private blood tests & discount codes, some offer a blood draw service at an extra cost. thyroiduk.org/help-and-supp...

There is also a new company offering walk in & mail order blood tests in London, Surrey, Sussex, Kent areas. No charge for blood draw in clinic. Check to see if there is a blood test company near you. onedaytests.com/products/ul...

Only do private postal testing early Monday or Tuesday morning.

Are you continuing to supplement vitamin levels and what were your latest results?

You likely need to raise your FT3 to help some of your other symptoms. You can email info@thyroiduk.org for a list of T3 sympathetic Endo's.

Oraney profile image
Oraney in reply to Jaydee1507

Thank you for your reply. I shall contact the new one day tests as this is nr me. GP didn't test FT3. My vitamin levels were OK last yr I take calcium vi t D zinc and omega 3. GP didn't test vit levels in April this year.

Jaydee1507 profile image
Jaydee1507Administrator in reply to Oraney

I have used One Day Tests as one of their clinics is not far from me. Just book online with them. Got results same day.

Most people also need a good methyl B complex for either or both B12 & folate.

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator in reply to Oraney

My vitamin levels were OK last yr I take calcium vi t D zinc and omega 3. GP didn't test vit levels in April this year.

What were actual results and ranges last year

Oraney profile image
Oraney in reply to SlowDragon

I thought they were tested last yr but it was October 21 so really do need to get a private test.

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