Asked a question 8 hours ago regarding help with test results. No answeres

[jumpup]

Asked a question re results 8 hours ago (see questions). Also endo writes: ''she does have positive thyroid receptor antibodies suggesting that this may be hypothyroid Graves disease'. What does this mean? Anyone have any idea?

[Hidden]

Hello, This is a rather confused explanation by the endo. You might find that the information on the main Thyroid UK webpage explains antibodies and graves disease better for you:

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_...

Jane x

[jumpup in reply to Hidden]

Thanks Jane for replying. I dont know what this all means, whether I need treatment,if its anything to worry about and feel a bit scared. You say its a confused explanation by the endo, could you expand on that please?

[Hidden in reply to jumpup]

Hi, I'm afraid I can't find your original question. Can you please give me the link to it? If you have a raised TSH as well as antibodies you will probably be given thyroxine. However, if only antibodies are present endos may not consider treatment is necessary, and will wait until your other test results suggest replacement thyroid hormones are necessary.

How do you feel? Do you have symptoms of hypo or hyper thyroidism? I think symptoms are the best guide of whether treatment is necessary.

Jane x

[jumpup in reply to Hidden]

I have been treated for hypothyroid with thyroxine for the last 20 years, at present I take 125mcgs, I have suffered infertility, atrial fibrillation heart attack, 2 strokes(minor),major anxiety and depression i posted myquestion with results included around 6pm ish yesterday. I have a prism in my specs to counteract double vision although on this visit to the endo he didnt think my sight problems were related to my thyroid!!!!, my eye problems are very bad again. Maybe when he saw the blood results he thought again, he doesnt want to see me again?

In the mean time I am left feeling exhausted, painful joints, hips, knees and back..anxiety is awful and I feel really low.struggling to see is driving me mad.

[Hidden in reply to jumpup]

The symptoms you mention are all symptoms of hypothyroidism and it does rather look as though you might be undermedicated. There are other treatment options like Natural Desiccated Thyroid and T3. Have you discussed these with your doctor? I gather he has given you iron tablets. Has he checked for Vitamin B12 and D levels and as folates as well? See this page: thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/diagno... Jane x

[jumpup in reply to Hidden]

my question started; Havent been on this site for a while.......Thanks Jane for replying

[helvella Administrator]

Graves' disease seems to be caused by the body producing TSH-receptor antibodies (TRab).

There are two types of TRab - the stimulating form (sometimes called TSI) which makes the thyroid produce too much thyroid hormone so people become hyperthyroid, and the blocking form which prevents TSH working and results in hypothyroidism. Because your thyroid hormone levels look reasonable, the endo seems to be thinking you have the blocking type. (The test for TRab cannot determine whether they are stimulating or blocking - just that they exist. So medics base that on whether you appear hypothyroid or hyperthyroid.)

TED seems to be caused by TRab - and can occur whether they are stimulating or blocking.

In general, medicine has little to throw at antibodies and tend to treat symptoms.

I'd suggest looking at selenium supplementation (e.g. 100 mcg a day or a couple of brazil nuts). And vitamin D. And attack the low iron.

Rod

[jumpup in reply to helvella]

Thanks Rod I will try the brazil nuts. But does this diagnosis need further treatment I,m not clear what having antibodies means, is it dangerous or nothing to worry about?

[Hidden in reply to helvella]

Hi there, sorry to hijack this question, but I have Graves' disease and very severe TED, I had my TT op mid June this year, and have been seriously poorly since, my doctor will only give me Levothyroxin and my vit B12 was 373 in a range up to 900+ I have read that vit b12 should be well over

500 when had a TT.

.. Plus he has only tested TSH!!!!! 1.01 miu/ L (0.34- 5.6)

And TPO is that the wrong test altogether 146iu/mL (0.0- 10.0) above high reference limit

He has referred me back to my quack of an Endo who seems to know nothing about Graves' disease

My eyes are so active my surgeon cannot do anything but give me hydotears and a change of spec and prisms.....help I'm desperate my husband can't cope with my horrible symptoms and has left me home alone with absolutely no one to turn to xx

[TTLady in reply to Hidden]

Tish, if you're active they can treat it. You need an ophthalmologist - poss steroids/ anti body treatment. Insist on a referral

[Hidden in reply to TTLady]

I have an eye Dr and ophthalmologist my eyes are far to active to treat I see my specialist in a fortnight, can't give me steroids my liver is naff, they have been active for well over 2 years, they are shocking I look like an ogre.

[TTLady in reply to Hidden]

Feeling your pain tish, I too now look like a monster. Active phase is the only phase they can treat, what about prograf?

[Hidden in reply to TTLady]

Ohhh what's that?

[TTLady in reply to Hidden]

Anti rejection drug but used for TED. Could you have I've steroids

[TTLady in reply to TTLady]

iv steroids that should say

[Hidden in reply to TTLady]

Thankyou I will ring their office on Monday

[Hidden in reply to helvella]

Opps I put my reply to you on the one below this one, please check it out for me....my main post is ...post TT 18/06/13 it makes a heck of a read...