Teresa,
Is the Dr. treating you with T-4 and the Cytomel is added to it? I ask because it isn't common to be treated with T-3 only unless you have a disease in your body or chronic stress causing low T-3 syndrome. They sometimes call this type Wilson's Temperature Syndrome and Euthroid Sick Syndrome and T-3 is used to correct it and usually is only needed temporarily.
I have heard of permanent hypothyroidism being treated with Cytomel-only but is rare because although it is sometimes claimed that T-4's only purpose is being converted into T-3, it actually also helps with metabolism in the body at the tissue level. Some Dr.s are reluctant to treat with T-3 only because it can cause an imbalance in the T-4 to T-3 ratio.
In regard to hives, these can occur with autoimmune hypothyroidism (Hashimoto's) but there is that possibility that you have a mild allergy or sensitivity to it. The alternative would be trying a generic or being switched to a med with T-3 in it that's natural (Armour). If hives continued after a trial of a different one that would likely mean it's the autoimmuity and not the thyroid hormone medication.
I suffer mild hives but after being switched from Armour to Thyrolar for about six weeks my hives continued and we then knew mine were from the Hashimoto's. My hives occur mostly in my underarms but can spread to my stomach if I'm overheated from working outdoors in hot temperatures, etc...
Other than possibly needing a brand change that has both T-4 and T-3 in it, unresolved hypothyroid symptoms could only be from under-treatment otherwise.
