Thyroid antibodies above 1300

[madmumofmany]

I only just found out that when I had my first thyroid function test back in October 2011 that not only was my TSH 317 ( 0.2-6.0) free T4 4.2 (10.0-25.0) but my thyroid antibodies were above 1300. She didn't say how much above just that it was above. Anyone know what this could mean? Is this good/bad/normal ?

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Well, it's not good madmumofmany . You have Hashimoto's as Shaws mentioned in your other post. It's probably your Thyroid Peroxidase (TPO) antibodies they've tested, there's also Thyroglobulin (TG) antibodies and if either or both are raised then you have autoimmune thyroiditis aka Hashimoto's. Hashi's is not treated, it's the resulting hypothyroidism that's treated.

Antibodies will fluctuate, causing symptoms and test results to fluctuate, and when high they attack your thyroid and will eventually destory it. You can help reduce the attacks by going completely and scrupulously gluten free, some people also need to be dairy free. Also, supplementing with selenium can help reduce the attacks.

Look to the right on this page under Topics and you will see a head Hashimotos, click on that for lots of past posts about Hashi's.

Also, you can learn more about it by reading, here are a couple of links:

stopthethyroidmadness.com/h...

stopthethyroidmadness.com/h...

hypothyroidmom.com/hashimot...