High antibodies but normal TSH

[lemonlollies]

Hi, I could do with some advice on my blood test results, I've been having regular blood work every few months since 2014 on my thyroid, last year my TSH raised to 8.3 so my doctor decided to monitor me every few months and also test antibodies. However, they forgot to test my antibodies last time so I had to go back again last week. Here are my results-

Feb 2015

TSH - 8.84

T4 - 12.2

TG antibodies - not tested

Docs said at next blood test if my TSH was over 10 they would start me on treatment or if it was <10 but raised antibodies they would treat me. Here were my last results-

May 2015

TSH - 5.6

T4 - 12

TG antibodies - 86

They said my antibodies were 'quite high' but that my thyroid seemed to be 'getting better', however I haven't been feeling better! I have to wait another 3 months for another test. Why is my TSH fluctuating? I always test the same time in the morning. They seem to think my symptoms are no longer to do with my thyroid. If I had been tested for my antibodies in March maybe I'd be on treatment, they seem to be stringing it out as long as possible and I'm exhausted and frustrated. What should I do? Not sure if it means I have to go private, am seriously considering changing doctors but not sure if all NHS are the same...

Lemonlollies

[Clutter]

Lemonlollies, I'm not sure why your GP has suddenly decided your thyroid is 'getting better'. Fluctuating TSH levels are a feature of autoimmune thyroid disease (Hashimoto's) and it will rise when the thyroid is attacked again. Hashimoto's slowly, but surely, destroys the thyroid gland and there is no point in waiting until you are overtly hypothyroid with TSH >10 before commencing treatment. Treatment now will alleviate your symptoms and delay progression of the disease.

Read Dr. Toft's comments in Guidelines for the Use of Thyroid Function Tests thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_... If a copy of the Pulse article would be useful to show your GP email [e-mail]

If your GP doesn't treat you ask for a second opinion or find a new GP. Most will treat in the presence of antibodies when TSH is <10.

[cat_alli]

Please buy Hope for Hashimoto's by Dr Alexander Haskell. It will tell you everything you need to know to educate yourself and help yourself. It will also help you when seeing your doctor. I wish I'd read it years ago. Eating gluten also damages your thyroid if you have Hadhimoto's, so the sooner you cut it out the quicker you slow down the auto immune damage.

[faith63 in reply to cat_alli]

This book is about Alexander Haskell's opinion's only. He is the one who says we have hashi's because we all have thyroid infections isn't he? I have Hashi's and no issues with Gluten.

[cat_alli in reply to faith63]

Hi, no he doesn't say that people with Hashimoto's have thyroid infections. He explains that people with Hashimoto's have an auto-immune disease. This is a fact, not just a personal opinion of his, (see general info from Thyroid UK, & other books & the net). You are really lucky not to have gluten sensitivity. Apparently many people with Hashimoto's have Leaky Gut Syndrome. The gluten molecules leak out of the gut into the blood steam; they are similar to thyroid molecules, & both the thyroid & the gluten are attacked by the sufferers' white blood cells. For me cutting out the gluten has given me my life back (I made this change before getting Dr Haskell's book) & just wanted to share in case anyone else is the same.