TSI Results

[Shaf3938]

High TSI usually means that the Graves Disease is surviving and thriving in us correct? Now with my thyroid that was ablated via RAI in Jan 2020 will these high antibodies attack something else in my system? Should I worry about TED? This disease has changed me mentally already never had constant nervousness until this disease came along! My endocrinologist thinks I developed an independent anxiety disorder 🙃

[PurpleNails]

**Same reply on main thyroid forum**

TSI is what causes thyroid to over produce and they can continue to be produced even years after thyroidectomy/radioiodine ablation, often higher after treatment. You do still have Graves. It is just that the thyroid (or victim) is removed and therefore the hyperthyroidism is controlled. The route cause doesn’t get treated it remains with you. Doctor’s don’t know how to treat the antibodies they are usually only tested to diagnose the condition.

I don’t think its the case that the immune system inevitably ends up attacking the eyes, or other autoimmune conditions are triggered. It’s just that having one autoimmune condition increases the chance of developing others.

RAI is known to worsen active TED but I have never read any evidence to say it increases the chances of it developing after treatment. It is reported that TED can begin at any time even preceding diagnosis, during treatment or after treatment. The conditions occurs separately. The association is that they stem from the same immune system attack on health tissues.

Having low thyroid levels in known to worsens existing TED & I have read that some believe this was when it was initially triggered although I’ve found no study / research confirming this.

Even if those cases are coincidental maintaining optimal thyroid & nutritional levels will be best for your health.

I know it’s difficult to not to worry about things, I think is natural to be anxious when you have been unwell and having undergone treatment.