       Document 0086
 DOCN  M9640086
 TI    Resolution of chronic urticaria in patients with thyroid autoimmunity.
 DT    9604
 AU    Rumbyrt JS; Katz JL; Schocket AL; National Jewish Center for Immunology
       and Respiratory Disease,; Denver, CO, USA.
 SO    J Allergy Clin Immunol. 1995 Dec;96(6 Pt 1):901-5. Unique Identifier :
       AIDSLINE MED/96133469
 AB    BACKGROUND: Autoimmune disease has been implicated as a cause of chronic
       urticaria, and anti-thyroid antibodies have been found in patients with
       chronic urticaria. Because some patients with chronic urticaria and
       autoimmune hypothyroidism have had clinical resolution with thyroid
       hormone replacement, we investigated the effect of thyroid hormone in
       euthyroid patients with chronic urticaria and thyroid autoimmunity.
       METHODS: Ten euthyroid patients with refractory hives were treated with
       thyroxine. Seven patients had elevated anti-thyroid antibodies at
       baseline. Thyroid function and anti-microsomal and anti-thyroglobulin
       antibody levels were monitored during treatment. If a clinical response
       was achieved, thyroxine was discontinued and restarted if symptoms
       recurred. RESULTS: Seven patients with elevated anti-thyroid antibodies
       reported resolution of symptoms within 4 weeks. Three patients without
       elevated anti-thyroid antibodies did not respond. Five patients had a
       recurrence of symptoms after treatment was stopped, which resolved after
       treatment was restarted. Thyroid-stimulating hormone levels decreased in
       all patients with a clinical response. No correlation between clinical
       resolution and anti-thyroid antibody levels was seen. CONCLUSION:
       Thyroid autoimmunity in euthyroid patients may be associated with
       chronic urticaria, and treatment with thyroid suppression can result in
       clinical remission.
 DE    Adult  Aged  Chronic Disease  Female  Human  Male  Middle Age
       Thyroiditis, Autoimmune/COMPLICATIONS/*DRUG THERAPY
       Thyroxine/THERAPEUTIC USE  Urticaria/*DRUG THERAPY/ETIOLOGY  JOURNAL
       ARTICLE

       SOURCE: National Library of Medicine.  NOTICE: This material may be
       protected by Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S.Code).

