Hi, can I pick a brain or two. I've been taking NDT for two years, like many, going it alone since the loss of Dr Skinner. I'm at Six grains now following gradual raises. After six months happy at 2 grains, I started to experience creeping hypo symptoms and raised the dose, ever since thus, each side holds me for a few months, then symptoms come back. I've been on six for several months but darent raise again. So sent bloods for testing via Blue Horizon.
Anyway, TSH was 0.01 as expected
Free t4 was very slightly over healthy range,
Ft3 was at 8, top of range was 6, so not good
Antiglobulin level was 135 range was around 20- 131
There was a message re possible graves.
What I want to know, is , can taking too much thyroid hormone affect these antibodies, as in if I lower my dose will they drop, or are they unique with regard to whatever I'm taking?
Thing is, I don't feel hyper, sometimes I still get cold and often tired. No toilet changes or sweating, no bulging eyes etc.
Once in a while I've woken up feeling weak and trembly inside, but no visual shaking, and this has been only a few times over last year.
Any ideas?
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Femme1
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Did Blue Horizon know you were taking 6 grains of NDT? Or did they think it was a blood sample from someone undiagnosed?
You would appear to be over-dosed. But I very much doubt if the antibodies will drop if you lower your dose.
If you're still experiencing hypo symptoms, it could be that you're not absorbing all that T3. Have you had your ferritin, iron, vit D, vit B12 and folate tested? They all need to be optimal for you to feel well and use the hormone you're taking, and low vit B12 can cause symptoms similar to hypo.
Hi again, no they were not aware I am taking NDt, so the levels will have appeared worse. I'm totally unsure weather this is a hashis attack or graves worry.
Re the above, I'm taking all of those thingvanyway, so shouldn't be low in any.
I Don't suppose you have Graves. Having Graves AND taking 6 grains of NDt would probably have sent you mad months ago! I think you'd know if you have Graves. The lab only said that because of the low TSH and high FT3 because they didn't know you were supplementing.
If it were a Hashi's attack, the antibodies would have been much higher. Yours are only a teeny bit over-range. Have you had your TPOab tested?
That's reassuring! The other set of antibodies were fine, wellbin range. Adrenals, not sure, think they're ok, don't do the 3:00 am wake or have disturbed sleep etc.
Well, then, it could just be that you are over-dosing. Hypo and hyper symptoms tend to cross over and be similar. Have you thought about reducing a little to see if you feel any better? What dose where you on when you felt your best?
Two grains was the best for longest but then I started to freeze , and get exhausted, so I upped. After this each raise felt good for a while but the symptoms soon crept back . last raise from 5.5 to 6 grains did absolutely nothing, I wonder if this was the straw that broke the camels back. Taken only two grains today. Will go to four tomorrow and stick there for a bit I think. Still don't understand why antibodies where high though?
Femme, I think BH have assumed because your TSH is suppressed and your FT3 you are hyperthyroid and have Graves. Thyroid Peroxidase and thyroglobulin antibodies are autoimmune (hypo)thyroid antibody tests. Thyroid Receptor ab and Thyroid Stimulating Immunoglobulin ab are Graves antibody tests.
It's not usually a problem when FT4 is slightly over range but FT3 should remain within range. Fatigue can be a sign of overmedication as well as undermedication.
Bi Clutter, I agree with the graves theory re lack of knowing my medication, but I'm a little worried as to why my thyroglobulin antibodies were above range. I've little later understanding of this area, I've always focused on the actual thyroid hormone issues. I agree also re too much thyroid hormones, so I am dropping my dose. Thank you for the links too !
Femme, some people are negative for the more common thyroid peroxidase antibody test but are positive for thyroglobulin antibodies and vice versa and some are positive for both. Others are positive for Hashimoto's and Graves although usually hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism dominates. Hashitoxicosis causes hypo and hyper symtoms.
Well I never, I just assumed the two antibody tests covered in Blue Horizons advanced thyroid panel where one of each. One to detect Hashimotos, the other graves. Doh, and I thought myself reasonably well informed re this disease x
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