Treatment of chronic urticaria with thyroxine in an euthyroid patient with thyroglobulin and microsomal antibodies.

INTRODUCTION The association of chronic urticaria and thyroid autoimmunity is not well recognised and the potential use of thyroxine in the treatment of chronic urticaria in patients with thyroid autoimmunity is even less well known. CLINICAL PICTURE We report a case of chronic urticaria in an euthyroid patient with evidence of significantly elevated levels of thyroglobulin and microsomal antibodies. TREATMENT AND OUTCOME Treatment with thyroxine has brought about clinical remission of the chronic urticaria but no change in the thyroid antibody levels could be demonstrated. CONCLUSION Patients with chronic urticaria should be screened for evidence of thyroid autoimmunity. A closely monitored trial of thyroxine therapy for those who have thyroid autoimmunity can be rewarding.