Thyroid Antibody tests

[Sleepybunny]

Hi,

I usually post on PA forum but would welcome your help please.

I'm thinking of having some private blood tests and want to find out if I am hypothyroid. Since I've been taking B12 my TSH level has dropped and when last tested was just above 2, previously it was above 3.

B12 treatment has led to an improvement in my neurological symptoms but has had only a limited effect on fatigue levels so I think something else is wrong. I have queried the possibility of hypothyroidism in past but endocrinologist said my results were normal range and I did not need treatment.

I was thinking of having tests for thyroid antibodies is it TPO and TgA? I didn't think it was worth testing TSH as level is likely to be within normal range. Any comments would be helpful. i wasted a lot of money on unnecessary tests trying to get B12 deficiency diagnosed so want to be sure I don't waste my money this time.

Thanks

[000ggg]

Here is a link about the various antibody tests:

labtestsonline.org/understa...

I'm a bit confused because it says tpo can be for graves or hashis... I had thought it was only for hashimotos.

I only had tpo and tgA tests done and tpo was high, tga was normal.

[Marz]

Hi Sleepybunny - good to see you over here ! I am usually reading all your VERY helpful posts on the PAS forum.

You will need more than just the anti-bodies tested - I would have the whole profile done - TSH - FT4 - FT3 - Anti-TPO - Anti-Tg. The last two being the antibodies.

If your GP is reluctant to do these tests then you can have them done privately through Blue Horizon.

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/testin...

When I was first diagnosed with Hashimotos back in 2005 - all the results were in range - the TSH - FT4 - FT3. Just the anti-bodies were very high. I live in Crete so things are slightly different here and I was treated with T4. Sometimes in the UK they want the TSH at 10 before they treat - and around 5 when you have anti-bodies present. Absolutely crazy - but then you are used to that in the world of B12D too

Do hope you find some answers soon..... happy to help if appropriate

Levels of Ferritin - Folate - VitD - Iron ....how are they ?

[Sleepybunny in reply to Marz]

Hi,

Thanks for the replies.

Folate Summer 2015 23 (have reduced amount of folate/methylfolate since.

Ferritin Summer 2015 55ug/L (taking RDA of iron)

Vitamin D Winter 2014 over 80 (not had Vit D test since, was supplementing at time)

I don't remember having thyroid antibody tests before. I did see an endocrinologist a few years ago but they wouldn't consider treatment as TSH normal range. Basically it's down to me to find out if I have thyroid problems.

[Marz in reply to Sleepybunny]

Yes sadly the TSH test is often used to declare all is well - when it is only part of the story. After all it is a Pituitary hormone that tells the Thyroid to produce T4 - a storage hormone. So the other results are needed. T4 then converts into the Active thyroid hormone T3. Every cell in the body has a receptor for T3 - so when the reading is low there is not enough to go around and things begin to go wrong.

Auto-immune thyroid illness - Hashimotos - is the most common Thyroid condition throughout the world - so heaven knows why they do not test for the anti-bodies. They say it is because the treatment is the same - yes as far as the NHS is concerned - that is true. However there is lots we can and have to do for ourselves once we know what we are dealing with.

I would go ahead and do the Home Testing with Blue Horizon and reassure yourself.

[Sleepybunny]

Hi,

I came across a test for TSH receptor antibodies. Do you know much about this test?

Also a test called Reverse T3.

Thank you for your help.

[BadHare]

Hi Sleepybunny,

My test results are always normal, despite symptoms of hypo, but a lot of things can affect this, in my case secondary hypothyroisism.

I did a morning basal body temperature test for over 3 months, which confirmed my suspicions, so skipped the private blood tests & consultation route, & bought NDT. One of the lovely admins told me where I could buy it directly..

My temperature is now up from 35.1 degree celcius, by an average 1 degree, & I feel warm for the first time in 40 years. My FM symptoms have improved, too.

M

[Sleepybunny in reply to BadHare]

Hi leverette,

I hadn't thought of taking temperatures.

What average basal temperature would indicate the possibility of hypothyroidism? Where's the best place on body to take temperature?

I was also diagnosed with fibro. My fibro symptoms have improved since I started taking B12.

[BadHare]

Hi,

These are just a few articles re what to do: ei-resource.org/home-self-t... stopthethyroidmadness.com/t...

A normal body temperature should be 36.7 degrees celcius, mine was usually 35.1, occasionally 35.3 degrees. It's now 35.8/36 degrees in the morning, but can go up to 36.5 in the evening.

I used a digital thermometer, which isn't so accurate as a liquid thermometer, but easier & cheaper. I recently saw some in my local pharmacy for £2. I took my temperature in my armpit 2 or 3 times, as soon as I woke up for about 16 weeks to make up for the days when I forgot, as three months was recommended.

I've always made sure my B12 intake is good as I'm vegetarian, aside from NDT, & an increase never seemed to help, though my digestion is better from getting it from kefir every day. I became very D deficient from restricting my diet to vegan foods which contained only D2.

M