Newly Diagnosed-Help!

[Lisa14090]

I am very confused as results show my thyroid is in fact producing fine, but antibodies are unstable EG: Levels range from 80 to 172. Could this mean something other than underactive thyroid as I have seen no other symptoms like this on the internet?

[Clutter]

Hi Lisa,

It's quite common to have autoimmune thyroid disease (Hashimoto's) with normal thyroid function blood results.

Your antibodies fluctuate because lymphocytes attack your thyroid gland and then back off for a while. It is likely that they will eventually destroy your thyroid gland but your TSH will rise before then and you will need thyroxine replacement.

Some people have found adopting a gluten-free diet can reduce their antibodies and delay the inevitable destruction of their thyroid gland.

[Lisa14090 in reply to Clutter]

Many thanks for that, may give the gluten-free diet a go.

[helvella Administrator]

Why do you think your thyroid is producing fine? I hope that is on the basis of FT3 and FT4 tests and not only TSH.

In earlier stages of Hashimoto's, people quite often seem to have fairly stable TSH levels. But, if looked at more deeply, FT4 might have dropped a bit and FT3 risen. It is as if the FT3 rises to cope with reduced FT4 - and manges to do so for a while.

Antibody levels can vary far more than you report.

Rod

[Lisa14090]

I think my Thyroid is producing fine because test results and my GP confirm this. Yes, the antibody levels can vary far more but I was obviously just reporting my results.

[helvella Administrator in reply to Lisa14090]

So you have had regular FT4 and FT3 tests which show stable thyroid hormone levels?

Rod

[Lisa14090 in reply to helvella]

Yes, over the last 12 months