Thyroid anti body's test

[Clmartin80]

Does anyone know what your levels should be please? I've had some people say I might have hashimotos

Thanx in advance

[Marz]

Each lab seems to have its own ranges - have you had the test for Anti-TPO and Anti-Tg ? If so post the results with the ranges and someone will help....

[Clmartin80]

I had TPO which was 229IU/mL high

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK in reply to Clmartin80]

Any positive TPOab test is indicative of Hashimoto's.

The indeterminate "well, there a a few antibodies knocking about but so few they don't mean anything" should have been accounted for in the reference range. Your result being followed by the word "high" says it was positive.

Some people have very much higher numbers. Presence of antibodies alone is not proof of Hashimoto's as trauma to the thyroid can cause temporarily raised TPOab. But it is strongly indicative.

Rod

[Clmartin80]

This test was taken in January 2012. Could I ask for another test?

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK in reply to Clmartin80]

You could ask.

Most people seem to end up only ever having one TPOab test.

A few get a second test if the first was negative and a significant time has elapsed.

A tiny few get a second test after a positive test.

In general it seems to be that one positive test is enough to indicate Hashimoto's. Once indicated other things (symptoms, maybe an ultrasound scan) will tend to prove it. And no-one usually cares what the number is - at least on the practitioners' side of the fence.

Rod

[Clmartin80]

So if it hashimotos why didn't dr say anything? I'm currently on 20mg levo but the dr wasn't keen on treating me as she said my results where 'boarder line' so treating my symptoms, I've been back and said I'm getting symptoms again and they just upped my anti ds.

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK in reply to Clmartin80]

That is quite common. Treatment is the same so why say anything else?

Yes - doctors do seem to regard a positive test with a fairly low number as if it were not a positive test. That is, they seem to make an extra allowance on top of what the lab has already allowed. I don't think there is any scientific basis for doing so - but I could be wrong.

They sometimes use a positive TPOab test to swing their judgement in favour of treating at a lower TSH.

You know, you don't actually have to agree to take extra anti-depressants? If you feel it is not appropriate, say so at the time.

By the way, if you click on Reply to this the person you are responding to gets an email alert. I only saw your response because I happened to see your reply in the latest activity.

Rod

[Clmartin80 in reply to helvella]

Oh I see! Sorry new to this. I agreed to higher anti ds coz I didn't think it could be my thyriod, I have been back and said the anti ds aren't making a diffrence and said give them longer, I asked if it could be my thyroid but she seemed unimpressed and said no it was fine in June. She didn't seem too keen to print out all my results.

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK in reply to Clmartin80]

No worry - you've got it now!

She might not be keen to print the results, but you are entitled to them. See on the main Thyroid UK site:

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/NHS_In...

People sometimes notice thyroid issues change over hours or days. At other times, no obvious change over years.

Rod

[tegz in reply to Clmartin80]

20mg isn't right.The smallest is 25mcg and I don't think you'd be on 200 from your doubting Dr.

25mcg is not enough, by a long way, for Hashis- so stay with us and we will talk up your game

You must post results + ranges for best comment.

There maybe just an outside chance something else is going on- and GP is treading warily.

[Clmartin80 in reply to tegz]

Yeah it's is 25. Just in way out but will post all my results when I'm home.

[Clmartin80 in reply to tegz]

January 2012- TSH = 5.37 serum free T4 =13 thyroid anti body =229

March 2013- TSH 6.37 serum free T4 = 12.3

After taking 25 levo

June 2013- TSH = 4.3 serum free T4 = 15.9

What's everyone thoughts on this??

[Heloise]

Look at the AB test and the TPO test in this list.

stopthethyroidmadness.com/l...