Allergy Medication & Thyroid Disease

Some people with allergies find that their medication doesn't help as much as they thought it would, or that it even makes them feel worse. This could be from a drug interaction or from an allergic reaction to the medication.

Talk to your doctor

• Before going on any new medication, talk to your doctor about what you're already taking, or what conditions you have. if you have allergies, some thyroid medicines may be wrong for you, and if you take allergy medications, it must be with your doctor's guidance. Most manufacturers of allergy medications tell you to talk to your doctor before taking their product if you have thyroid disease.

Check your thyroid medication

• Check which thyroid medication you're taking. Some contain acacia, which is derived from a family of shrubs and trees. People who have pollen allergies and hay fever may also be allergic to acacia, and taking some thyroid medications can cause allergic symptoms, including--but not limited to--mood changes, runny nose, watery eyes and congestion.

What are you allergic to?

• Determine what kind of allergies you have. If you have seasonal allergies and hay fever, this may be the cause of your medication's decreased effectiveness. Consult an allergist, who can conduct a blood test or skin prick test to diagnose the allergies. Your allergist can check for interactions with your thyroid medication and recommend the safest allergy treatment.

Check your allergy medication

• Check what allergy medication you're on. Once you know this and your thyroid medication, your doctor or pharmacist will be able to check for interactions or concerns for allergy sufferers.

  Side effects of some major allergy medicines may include nervousness, restlessness, dizziness or insomnia. Headache, drowsiness, increased heart rate, palpitations, increased blood pressure and abnormal heart rhythms have been reported.

Get treated for reactions.

• Do not take allergic symptoms lightly. A severe allergic reaction can be deadly.