High histamine reaction - is this common with hypothyroidism?

[SarahReed11]

I am wondering if being hypothyroid has anything to do with high histamine reactions because I had anaphylactic shock during general anaesthetic when they were injecting drugs into my system for a knee replacement?

[bluejourney]

I think you’re right. It has got something to do with hypothyroidism. I went into shock when I was given Synacthen for a Short Synacthen Test (my cortisol levels were found to be ok). My vocals cords locked, I had difficulty breathing, my blood pressure went very low, and my limbs started jerking. I didn’t lose consciousness though. It’s happened several times since. The doctors have passed it off as various things - an allergic reaction, a panic attack, neurogenic syncope, or just fainting, but I don’t think it’s any of those things. I think it’s endocrine shock, from being so long hypothyroid, and your body becomes hypersensitive, and incapable of dealing with extremes. I also think the body’s histamine system gets involved or unbalanced. Afterwards I certainly feel like I’m full of histamines, sometimes for days.

I subsequently had Synacthen via a slow IV push, which just means the medication goes very slowly into your vein instead of all in one go, and I was absolutely fine. Doctors seem to think that it’s only people with Addisons that go into endocrine shock, but personally I think you also can with hypothyroidism. I know my electrolytes can easily get out of balance, and I can also easily get dehydrated and hypovolemic, then my already low blood pressure goes even lower. I recover very quickly with a saline drip. Now, I warn doctors and dentists what might happen if I’m going for a procedure, and also to administer IV medication slowly. They tend to not believe you, and just humour you, but I still remember the look on my dentist’s face when it happened while he was fitting a cap. He’d assured me I wouldn’t need any numbing, he was just fitting a cap, and then he cut my swollen gum as he pressed down! OMG!!!

[SarahReed11 in reply to bluejourney]

wow thanks for sharing, that is really interesting.

The hospital have sent my bloods to John Radcliffe Hosputal in Oxford as they specialise in allergies. They need to confirm that it is anaphylaxis before they can give me an appointment to be tested.

I feel it is the histamine reaction because I have hives all over my body. They had to inject several doses of adrenaline to bring me out of general anaesthetic as like you my oxygen and BP dropped dramatically. Yes I was jerking all over for a few hours.

This really needs looking into as a serious issue rather than they being dismissive as a small thing.

[bluejourney in reply to SarahReed11]

Yes, hives would suggest histamines. I went to a rheumatologist who ruled out mast cell problems. Though I’ve never had hives. You really need to know for sure in case you need another anaesthetic in the future. If it’s not allergy, you could ask them to try the slow IV push method of giving you meds. And saline would probably help. It’s certainly a worry. At least it sounds as though they’re taking you seriously. I was just discharged with ‘allergic to Synacthen’ in my notes.

[SarahReed11 in reply to bluejourney]

yes it does look like they’re taking me seriously.

Thanks for your advice it’s really helpful.

[Megams in reply to SarahReed11]

~Yes indeed Sarah - sounds a serious issue and concur with you that it is not a "small thing" but a "big thing" worthy of further investigation. Good luck going forward~

[SarahReed11 in reply to Megams]

thank you for your good wishes! 🙏🏻