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Chronic idiopathic
urticaria (CIU) is
well known to be
associated with
antithyroid
peroxidase
antibodies and
autoimmune
thyroiditis.
Coexisting Graves
disease has only
rarely been
observed. We
describe 2 patients
with CIU who
developed autoimmune
hyperthyroidism with
antithyrotropin
receptor antibodies.
Antithyroid
peroxidase
antibodies were also
present in 1 of the
patients, but both
responded poorly to
high-dose
antihistamine
therapy. Both
patients improved
signifi cantly, and
their thyroid
function recovered
with carbimazole.
We advise clinicians
to be alert to the
symptoms of
hyperthyroidism when
patients with CIU
respond poorly to
antihistamine
therapy, as prompt
treatment of
hyperthyroidism
significantly
improves urticaria.
Key words:
Chronic urticaria.
Graves disease.
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