Why do I still have antibodies?

[hose1975]

Prior to my mixed-results meeting with the Endo a couple of weeks ago I went for a load of bloods, including TPO-Ab, which came back as still highly positive (20 years after first diagnosis). The Endo said she would be surprised if my thyroid gland was not completely atrophied by now so I asked her, if this was the case, why I was still producing antibodies.

I'm not entirely sure I remember the answer correctly but I think it was a case of 'once you have antibodies you'll always have antibodies'. It just seems a bit strange, if my thyroid's dead 'n' buried, to still have them.

Does anybody know the answer to this?

[Clutter]

Hose, if you have any thyroid cells, functioning or not, there is a target for Hashimoto's and you'll have antibodies. Even after thyroidectomy there can be cells remaining in the thyroid bed which means Hashimoto's attacks can continue. RAI ablatement after thyroidectomy is the only way to get rid of all thyroid cells and Hashi attacks should stop then and antibodies reduce and eventually go away.

Some Hashi patients have been able to modify lifestyle and diet to reduce antibodies.

[galathea in reply to Clutter]

I looked this up this morning, but then lost my post.... It seems that all sorts if other illnesses can cause the same antibodies.... Made no sense to me, but the other illnesses were, from memory, lupus, sjorens, arthritus...

I had my antibodies tested after about 20 years of being hypothyroid and they stood at just under 1800, No idea ii have anything else wrong, but I suspect i might have auto immune diabetes. ( Have booked in for a test on Wednesday.)

Xx g