My test came back - Thyroid peroxidase antibody level +188lU/mL High A positive TPO antibody with an increased TSH is associated with 5%

[sandyal]

progression to overt. Serum TSH is 4.4mU/L. (confused ) says I don't have Hashimotos but seems to be saying that when I become ill he will treat me? should I be pursuing this?

[shaws Administrator]

This is an excerpt from an article in Pulse Online by Dr Toft of the British Thyroid Association of questions and answers re the thyroid gland. I am sure your GP could look it up. If he cannot, you can request a copy from [e-mail]. Excerpt:-

2. I often see patients who have an elevated TSH but normal T4. How should I be managing them?

The combination of a normal serum T4 and raised serum TSH is known as subclinical hypothyroidism. If measured, serum T3 will also be normal. Repeat the thyroid function tests in two or three months in case the abnormality represents a resolving thyroiditis.2

But if it persists then antibodies to thyroid peroxidase should be measured. If these are positive – indicative of underlying autoimmune thyroid disease – the patient should be considered to have the mildest form of hypothyroidism.

In the absence of symptoms some would simply recommend annual thyroid function tests until serum TSH is over 10mU/l or symptoms such as tiredness and weight gain develop. But a more pragmatic approach is to recognise that the thyroid failure is likely to become worse and try to nip things in the bud rather than risk loss to follow-up.

Treatment should be started with levothyroxine in a dose sufficient to restore serum TSH to the lower part of its reference range. Levothyroxine in a dose of 75-100µg daily will usually be enough.

[Clutter]

If your GP won't treat you, shop around your practice for a GP who will treat you now to prevent you becoming ill or find a new GP practice. It's barbaric to wait until you are ill and endanger your job, family & friend relationships.

[sandyal]

Thank you all for your replies. I am so grateful to have found this site. The reason I checked my thyroid is because I developed vitiligo about 18 mths ago which is also considered an autoimmune disease and linked to thyroid. Perhaps I won't be able to cure the vitiligo but my body was telling me that there is an underlying problem that needs to be addressed. I will try to approach another practice doctor for treatment rather then become ill. I do have some symptoms but they are mild at the moment. I will research the article by Louise Warvill.