High antibodies results.: I have received my... - Thyroid UK

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High antibodies results.

MrsFitz profile image
16 Replies

I have received my thyroid peroxidase results:

306 (range 0.0 - 60.0)

I think this means that I have Hashimoto''s but as I am currently being treated for Primary Hypothyroidism can I do anything else to relieve symptoms? I am on a course of treatment to increase Vit D levels at the moment.

I am due to have my TSH level checked at the end of August and I am considering running the Blue Horizon tests for a complete panel result.

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MrsFitz
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SeasideSusie profile image
SeasideSusieRemembering

MrsFitz Yes, you're right, you have Hashimoto's. Hashi's isn't treated, it's the resulting hypothyroidism that is treated and I see you are being treated for that, so that's good.

As the antibodies will fluctuate as and when they are attacking your thyroid, so will your symptoms (and test results). The best thing to do is try to reduce the antibody attacks. Many Hashi's patients have found that following a 100% gluten free diet helps enormously. Gluten contains gliadin (a protein) which is thought to trigger autoimmune attacks so eliminating gluten can help reduce these attacks. Supplementing with selenium is also supposed to help reduce the attacks.

Some people also need to be dairy free.

Also, thyroid hormone replacement will reduce TSH and that will help reduce Hashi flares and antibodies. Are you on Levothyroxine? What is your dose? When did you start? Is your doctor repeating thyroid tests at 6-8 week intervals and adjusting your dose according to the results? To help yourself you need to ensure that your GP will follow Dr Toft's advice given in a Pulse Online magazine article in which he wrote

"The appropriate dose of levothyroxine is that which restores euthyroidism and serum TSH to the lower part of the reference range - 0.2-0.5mU/l.

In this case, free thyroxine is likely to be in the upper part of its reference range or even slightly elevated – 18-22pmol/l. Most patients will feel well in that circumstance.

But some need a higher dose of levothyroxine to suppress serum TSH and then the serum-free T4 concentration will be elevated at around 24-28pmol/l.

This 'exogenous subclinical hyperthyroidism' is not dangerous as long as serum T3 is unequivocally normal – that is, serum total around T3 1.7nmol/l (reference range 1.0-2.2nmol/l)."

If you email louise.warvill@thyroiduk.org.uk she will let you have a copy of the article which you can print out and show your GP if necessary.

Here are some articles about Hashi's:

stopthethyroidmadness.com/h...

stopthethyroidmadness.com/h...

hypothyroidmom.com/hashimot...

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_...

Your doctor may not know much about Hashi's (there's not many that do, or attach little importance to it), so you need to learn as much as you can to help yourself.

How low is your Vit D? What treatment are you on? Are you taking K2 also? When supplementing with Vit D it aids the absorption of calcium, K2 directs the calcium to bones and teeth rather than arteries and soft tissues. Your doctor probably doesn't know about that either. Supplementing with magnesium is also a good idea when taking Vit D.

MrsFitz profile image
MrsFitz in reply to SeasideSusie

Thank you for your very full reply SeasideSusie, my last TSH was 3.3 range (0.2 - 5.5). I saw a private Endo in June who recommended I increase my Levothyroxine to 75 and 100 on alternate days. He wrote to my Gp advising to aim for a TSH of 1.0 - 2.0. I suspect I will need to increase to 100 on a daily basis but my next blood tests are due for the end of August. The local Gp will only test for TSH which is why I am considering using the Blue Horizon tests.

The Vitamin D test showed I was deficent at 29 nmol/L but no ranges were given. I have never heard of K2.

It seems to mensure that the best course of action is to use Blue Horizon testing and take the results and the suggested article to the Gp. I can then review the foliate and ferrite levels.

The hashimoto's diagnosis is confusing so I will read up on those links you provided, thank you. I had read that following a gluten free diet would relieve symptoms but as hypothyroidism has now been diagnosed will it reverse?

SeasideSusie profile image
SeasideSusieRemembering in reply to MrsFitz

MrsFitz

I had read that following a gluten free diet would relieve symptoms but as hypothyroidism has now been diagnosed will it reverse?

Unfortunately not. You are positive for antibodies. They will fluctuate, they may go down a lot lower but you will always have autoimmune thyroiditis aka Hashimoto's. Definitely try gluten free, it may help reduce the attacks but from what I understand it's not an overnight thing, it may help but it wont make them go away completely.

Your GP may or may not take notice of your BH tests. At best he will accept them (they are done by an accredited lab), if he wont you could use them to suggest he might want to get any of those tests done on the NHS.

Your Vit D needs to come up to 100+. Sometimes what doctors prescribe isn't enough. If you tell us what you've been prescribed members can make suggestions as to whether anything else would help. And you do need K2, you wont get that from your GP but if you Google you should look for K2-MK7.

MrsFitz profile image
MrsFitz in reply to SeasideSusie

SeasideSusie, OK I follow what you are saying about Hashimoto's and gluten-free and I will definitely make changes to my diet.

And I take your point about the Gp accepting the BH results but at least I will have a better idea to work with to find that elusive 'optimum' level.

The vit D I have been prescribed is called Desunin (colecalciferol) at 1600 iu per day. I had a much higher dose to start, 20,000 per day, but just for 4 or 5 days. The course is to last 3 months. I will Google the k2, thanks for the suggestion.

in reply to MrsFitz

Hi SeasideSusie has given fantastic advice. I have Hashi's and haven't had anything with gluten in for 10 months. Also no dairy or soy. I take Selenium and my antibodies have started to lower. Bonus I have lost 2 stones in weight. The Vitamin K2 Mk7 is ESSENTIAL when taking Vit D3 and/or calcium. My GP put me on Adcal which is mostly calcium (stupid because I needed VitD) no advice on K2 and it caused the calcium to go into my blood. This is dangerous! The K2 will put the calcium into your bones and not your veins. When I saw my results and spoke to the doctor she wasn't concerned! I stopped the Adcal got my Vit D levels up myself and take K2 Mk7. Thankfully last blood test shows that the calcium in my blood is now below range. It will take a long time to reduce it more but I am on the right track now. So top marks to SeasideSusie she knows her stuff xxx

SeasideSusie profile image
SeasideSusieRemembering in reply to

Gosh Hidden I'm blushing here :) . Thank you for the vote of confidence.

in reply to SeasideSusie

You are worthy of it x SeasideSusie

SeasideSusie profile image
SeasideSusieRemembering in reply to MrsFitz

MrsFitz I've just looked at the Patient Information Leaflet for Desunin and, in common with probably all Vit D supplements I expect, it says:

"Do not take Desunin

............

if you have hypercalcaemia (increased levels of calcium in the blood) or hypercalciuria (increased levels of calcium in the urine)...…........"

I imagine that your GP didn't actually test your calcium level, in common with most GPs I should think. Anyway, it shows the importance of adding in K2 when supplementing with D3, just a pity that doctors don't seem to know this.

Is your GP going to test your Vit D level again after 3 months? I doubt it, I think some people are saying they can only get it done once.

When I tested privately my level was 15. I started on 40,000iu daily for two weeks or so, then reduced to 5,000iu daily and got my level up to 202 in just over two months. Then I reduced to 5,000iu Monday to Friday only and my level came down to 150 which I was happy with. I have reduced to three days a week during the sunniest weather lately but I'm not a sun worshipper and do tend to avoid the sun so mainly stick to supplementing 5 days a week.

I don't think 1,600iu daily is enough for you at the moment, it would probably be a good maintenance dose once you've reached the optimal level.

You are under the guidance of your GP and may not want to go against that but if you do want to sort it yourself then it's easy enough to do a fingerprick test at home (£28) and cheap enough to get an excellent supplement - just ask if you want details.

MrsFitz profile image
MrsFitz

You are right SeasideSusie, I was only diagnosed in Dec 2015 and had to fight with two Gp's to be referred to a private Endo. I am still learning and am very grateful for all advice given.

I changed Gp as the first one turned out to be an idiot and told me I had chronic fatigue as my thyroid was now fixed. The new Gp tested a huge range but the results were given with no ranges or advice as I was then pushing to see the private Endo.

Serum Calcium 2.32 mmol/L

Serum ferritin 47 ng/ml

Serum folate 4.3 ng/ml

I have ordered some K2 and magnesium as advised (all found on Amazon!), and will increase the Vit D to the levels suggested. I eat Brazil nuts which are high in selenium, Mango 555 but what level do you supplement at?

I have read up on being gluten-free and will follow a new diet from now on. It is surprising to find gluten in so many things, but I will start with the obvious and build from there.

I have a renal consultation in two weeks but at the end of August I will order the BH tests to include Vit D. I will post the results and ask for advice again. At least the BH results will give ranges and advice.

Thanks for the advice given, you have certainly set me on the right track 😊

SeasideSusie profile image
SeasideSusieRemembering

Oh dear MrsFitz you're not going to like me :(

Brazil nuts have to be grown in selenium rich soil to be of any use and I doubt any packaging gives this information. Supplementing with 200mcg selenium (a good brand with good bioavailability - I use Cytoplan, on offer 3 for 2 this month buying direct) will ensure you get a decent amount.

You haven't put ranges for ferritin and folate but knowing the normal ranges for ferritin then you are well below what you need to be. For thyroid hormone to have any chance of working properly then it needs to be at least 70, preferably half way through range. You need an iron supplement which you should take with 1000mg Vit C to aid absorption and help prevent constipation, and take iron 4 hours away from thyroid meds.

Folate, I can't really comment, mine came with a range but some tests just show >XXX. If you have a range for Folate please post it, again it needs to be at least half way through range.

Have you had B12 tested? I have a feeling that might be low too.

We need all our vits and mins to be at their optimal levels, our gut to be working properly so that proper absorption of nutrients can take place, and then thyroid hormone has a chance to do it's job.

Sorry, I feel as though I have put a downer on your Sunday :(

MrsFitz profile image
MrsFitz

Lol. You've mad laugh! I shall be a walking pharmacy with all these supplement's! But I am determined to get well again so I will order all that is necessary 😄

It's good to know that your Vit D came back up to a reasonable level in just 2 months.

B12 was tested: 296 (180.0 - 1000.0) but the Go refused any treatment as I wasn't low enough!

SeasideSusie profile image
SeasideSusieRemembering in reply to MrsFitz

MrsFitz You're probably expecting this by now (sorry....😥) but you know what I'm going to say........

Your B12 is way too low........the Pernicious Anaemia Society recommends 1000.

OK - get yourself some Jarrows or Solgar sublingual methylcobalamin lozenges 5000mcg. It's pointless re-testing B12 as once supplementing the results will be skewed. So get the 60 (or is it 100???) bottle and that will last two months and that should hopefully bring your level up quite a bit. Then get the 1000mcg dose of the same brand(s) and continue with that daily as a maintenance dose. I brought mine up last year to 993 and still take 1000mcg 5 days a week as maintenance. You can't overdose on B vits as they are water soluble and you pee away any excess.

And I haven't finished yet 😄. When supplementing with B12 you should take a B Complex to balance the B vits. If you get Thorne Basic B or Jarrows B Right they both contain 400mcg methylfolate which will bring up your folate level which I'm guessing is low.

MrsFitz profile image
MrsFitz in reply to SeasideSusie

Fantastic! I am off to find pencil and paper for my shopping list and my husband has offered the use of his van for collection!

Thank you for time this weekend, really appreciated

SeasideSusie profile image
SeasideSusieRemembering in reply to MrsFitz

MrsFitz 😂 yes, it does seem a lot but give it time and you should see a difference. I'm 5 months into a supplement regime recommended by a holistic hormone specialist for what has been a very long unpleasant journey, but I can honestly say that I do feel better for it, still some things to iron out but I'm confident I'll get there. Only problem is my purse is a lot lighter!

If you want recommendations for anything I've not mentioned then just ask. I can vouch for good quality, bioavailable supplements being good use of your money rather than wasting it on cheap, poor quality ones with cheap ingredients that don't work. And avoid that high street health store's own brand (H&B).

MrsFitz profile image
MrsFitz in reply to SeasideSusie

SeasideSusie, I have found most of the supplements you have mentioned. Any recommendations for an iron supplement?

SeasideSusie profile image
SeasideSusieRemembering in reply to MrsFitz

MrsFitz I think the Solgar Gentle Iron should be fine.

If you don't think you'll have any upset tum or constipation then the ferrous fumarate or ferrous sulphate will be cheaper and you can get it from some pharmacies and Amazon. I would start on one a day, you might be lucky and not need more. Don't forget the 100mcg vit C at the same time.

If you like liver, that contains a pretty good amount of iron so you could eat liver once every week or two.

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