| Hives is an erythematous and itchy disease that commonly affects the trunk and
the organs. Acute urticaria is a common disease and affects about 10%–20% of the
population during its lifetime. In patients with chronic urticaria, about 25%–30% of cases,
antithyroid peroxidase (TPO) was detected and Hashimoto’s disease was diagnosed.
This study aimed to evaluate the anti‑TPO antibody in patients with chronic urticaria
and the effect of treatment of levothyroxine on its recovery. In this study, 72 people
with chronic urticaria and positive anti‑TPO antibody were randomly divided into two
groups. Low‑dose antihistamine was administered to both groups, and the first group
received levothyroxine at a dose of 50 µg/day. The severity of itching was evaluated
according to the visual analog scale before and after therapy. There was no significant
difference in the age, sex, thyroid‑stimulating hormone (TSH), and anti‑TPO between
the two groups. Ninety‑two patients were female. In this study, all patients took a small
dose of loratadine. Relative healing was observed in both the groups. However, in a
group of patients taking levothyroxine and loratadine, recovery was faster and patients
with no itching were significantly more likely than the other groups. The prevalence of
chronic urticaria and anti‑TPO antibody in this study was very high and was due to sex
hormones. Therefore, in young women with chronic urticaria, especially in refractory
cases, they should be monitored for anti‑TPO. Anti‑TPO and TSH should be evaluated
for the diagnosis and treatment of patients with urticaria or chronic angioedema.
Levothyroxine therapy in hives and chronic urticaria is beneficial in the treatment of
thyroid dysfunction. |