Hi I have Hashimotos and have just been tested positive for Andrenal antibodies in my latest blood test. Does this mean I have Addisons?

[loopyhels]

I have had Hashi's since I was a teenager and I also have Pernicious Anaemia, type 2 diabetes. My Endo has just informed that my blood has tested positive for Andrenal auto immune does this mean that I now have Addisons too? Over a year ago I had the 24 hour urine test also the test with the Pill I had to take at night and then test in the morning but these came back negative..So I am surprised that this has now shown up. I am on 175 levo a day and still feel like poo yet Endo says my thyroid is fine according to my results..so it must be my andrenals?

[yorkshiregirl44]

Do you know the test you had done for the antibodies.

I would have thought that if you had addisons disease he would be doing more tests to confirm this.

[loopyhels in reply to yorkshiregirl44]

Yes I am being sent to another dept to see another consultant. He didn't say just they had tested for Andrenal antibodies and it was positive.

[yorkshiregirl44 in reply to loopyhels]

Hope with work out ok for you. Id not heard of an antibody test for adrenals. I only know of the acth test for addisons.If you find out what the test was it might be useful for others on here.

[loopyhels in reply to yorkshiregirl44]

I hadn't till Monday. So I googled it and yes it can be picked up in a blood test..Just unsure if it confirms for sure its Addisons

[shaws Administrator]

Can you get a copy of your latest thyroid gland blood test results complete with the ranges and post on a new question just to compare what the Endo says. I just wonder if you are undertreated re your thyroid meds as your Endo says results are 'fine'.

[loopyhels in reply to shaws]

Thanks shaw but I know my thyroid is fine...Im hot on this and my tsh is down around 0.01 and t3/4 are ok..My Endo has been spot on with help in that dept

[shaws Administrator]

I have just read this article which may be helpful to you.

addisonssupport.com/Documen...

[loopyhels in reply to shaws]

Thank you...so yes it can be detected in the blood test..The 24hr urine test I had I think would have been the one for pituraity gland.

[loopyhels]

I just dug out my last blood results from last week

TSH T4 T3

Result 0.3 16.8 3.9

Range 0.4/4.5 10/24 4/8.3

T3 looks a bit low to me yet Endo says its fine??

[loopyhels]

It was a blood test specifically for andrenal antibodies..My Endo ordered it..It came out with a significant positive outcome. I now have to go for the Synthacen test with the Consultant Chemical Biologist. But I got told today that if you test positive you most probably have Addisons

[helvella Administrator in reply to loopyhels]

Lab tests online has a short summary:

labtestsonline.org.uk/under...

When originally named, Addison's apparently was often due to tuberculosis of the adrenal glands. More recently it has been applied to anyone who has severe adrenal insufficiency.

[loopyhels in reply to helvella]

Thank you...This supplies a perfect description

[helvella Administrator in reply to loopyhels]

Horm Metab Res. 2013 Feb;45(2):92-5. doi: 10.1055/s-0032-1331766. Epub 2013 Jan 15.

What affects the quality of life in autoimmune Addison's disease?

Meyer G, Hackemann A, Penna-Martinez M, Badenhoop K.

Author information

Department of Endocrinology and Diabetes, Internal Medicine 1, University Hospital Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany. [e-mail]

Abstract

INTRODUCTION:

Several studies have shown a reduced quality of life in patients with Addison's

disease, but little is known about the potential influences.

METHODS:

We determined the quality of life in 200 patients with Addison's disease using an Addison's disease-specific quality-of-life questionnaire. Data about first symptoms, time to diagnosis and current medication were collected by questionnaires.

RESULTS:

With increasing latency between first symptoms and diagnosis of adrenal insufficiency, the quality of life decreased in highly significant manner (p<0.001). Age at manifestation correlated negatively with quality of life (p=0.01). Significantly lower scores were observed in females versus males (141 vs. 159, p<0.001). Quality of life decreased significantly with increasing autoimmune comorbidity (p=0.01). Coeliac disease (p=0.05), atrophic gastritis (p=0.01) and primary ovarian failure (p=0.01) were highly correlated with reduced scores.

CONCLUSIONS:

Quality of life was significantly lower in female patients and in those with manifestation at older ages. With more autoimmune comorbidities, the quality of life scores dropped. The most important factor, however, was latency between first symptoms and diagnosis that affected patients' quality of life even years after manifestation of the disease. These results confirm and extend previous observations and emphasize the importance of a timely diagnosis. Therefore, medical awareness for this rare but easily treatable disorder needs to be sharpened.

© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York.

PMID: 23322510

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl...

[loopyhels]

Adrenal antibodies are sometimes requested as part of the diagnostic process when autoimmune Addison’s disease is suspected. A positive result is helpful in the diagnosis of autoimmune Addison's disease but many patients with this form of the disease have a negative result.