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Levothyroxine for Chronic Hives in Patients with Thyroid Disease

The Efficacy and Predictability of Response of Levothyroxine as Treatment for Chronic Idiopathic Urticaria in Patients with Autoimmune Thyroid Disease

Objective

This study plans to determine if, in patients with mild autoimmune thyroid disease and chronic urticaria (hives), the chronic uriticaria responds to levothyroxine therapy.

IRB Protocol Number
09-0568

All Other Trials

  • Allergies
  • Skin (Dermatology)
Contact
Jenny Stitt at 303-724-7205
or jenny.stitt@ucdenver.edu
Eligibility and Other Participant Information

Inclusion Criteria

  • Males and Females, 18-50 years of age.
  • Chronic (≥ 6 weeks) idiopathic urticaria.
  • High (above normal range) levels of antithyroid antibodies (TPO-Ab, TG-Ab).
  • Either euthyroid or with “subclinical hypothyroidism” defined as having normal free T4 and TSH <10 mIU/L.
  • Failure of a trial of recommended doses of antihistamines for 2 weeks.

 

Exclusion Criteria

  • Coexisting diseases which limit ability to tolerate minimally excess dosages of thyroxine (i.e. cardiac disease). 
  • Prescribed medications whose efficacy could be altered by thyroid function (digoxin, warfarin, seizure medications). 
  • Patients with TSH < 1.0 mIU/L or ≥ 10 mIU/L on initial screening. 
  • Treatment with thyroid hormone in past 3 months.
  • Use of immunosuppressive drugs (e.g. prednisone, cyclosporine, anti-IgE, imuran, etc.) within the last 1 month.
  • Age >50 years.
  • Pregnant patients.