Is this true: I'm new on here even though I've... - Thyroid UK

Thyroid UK

141,246 members166,490 posts

Is this true

sja11 profile image
10 Replies

I'm new on here even though I've been diagnosed as hypothyroid 16 years ago.

I've just asked my doctor to do TPA and TgAb as well as all the other tests. She says I can't have TgAb as its a cancer test is this correct?

I've been feeling really ill since my menopause about 4 years ago. Since being on this site I have realised that I've never been properly tested as I've always done the blood test about 3 hours after taking my thyroxine. No one ever told me to wait until 24 hours after.

Written by
sja11 profile image
sja11
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Read more about...
10 Replies
humanbean profile image
humanbean

Thyroglobulin antibodies (TgAb) may be present in autoimmune thyroid disease.

TgAb may be tested to monitor thyroid cancer treatment.

Read all of this page :

labtestsonline.org.uk/under...

Clutter profile image
Clutter

Welcome to the forum, Sja11.

NHS tends to use thyroglobulin and thyroglobulin antibodies (TgAb) as cancer markers post thyroidectomy for thyCa patients. NHS will usually only test thyroid peroxidase antibodies (TPOab) for autoimmune thyroiditis (Hashimoto's) but quite a few people are negative for TPOab and positive for TgAb. If you want TgAb tested in addition to TPOab you will probably have to order a private thyroid test via thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/testin...

Taking Levothyroxine after the blood draw is a patient-to-patient tip which helps patients avoid measurement of T4 levels peaking in the blood which can lead to a dose reduction or the failure to achieve a dose increase.

If you post your recent thyroid results with the ranges (ranges are the figures in brackets after the results) members will advise whether you are optimally medicated.

______________________________________________________________________________________________

I am not a medical professional and this information is not intended to be a substitute for medical advice from your own doctor. Please check with your personal physician before applying any of these suggestions.

sja11 profile image
sja11

Thanks very much for your replies.

When I was first diagnosed my TPOab was really high, now 16 years later it shows no thyroid antibodies at all yet I still feel ill. Joint pain, exhaustion, cold, pins and needles, swollen dry eyes, double vision and migraines etc it's only being on here that has made me realise it might all be to do with my thyroid.

I'll post up the results when I get them.

helvella profile image
helvellaAdministrator in reply tosja11

Sounds to me like confuse-a-gp time.

labtestsonline.org.uk/under...

labtestsonline.org.uk/under...

Whilst the thyroglobulin test is used as a tumour marker, thyroglobulin antibodies are tested both for cancer and for autoimmune thyroid disease.

shaws profile image
shawsAdministrator in reply tosja11

I would lay a bet to say you are undermedicated. and I'll give a list of clinical symptoms and your GP or any GP will be hard pushed to name one as they've been told to only take account of the TSH.

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

A couple of hints:-

Blood tests should be the very earliest possible and fasting, although you can drink water. If you are on hormones you should allow 24 hours between last dose and the test and take it afterwards. This helps the TSH to remain at its highest as food etc can skew the results.

Levothyroxine should be taken first thing with a full glass of water as the tablet could stick in your throat. Leave about an hour before eating. Some take it at bedtime so they'd allow about 3 hours after eating a meal and levothyroxine. If you were having a blood test next day you'd miss this night dose and take after test and the night dose take as usual.

(I am not medically qualified - have hypothyroidism which was undiagnosed/unmedicated.

Is having raised antibodies a marker for genetic hypothyroidism as my consultant said it was? I don't think he knows what he's talking about lol. I mentioned that a lot of the women in my family have hypothyroidism and he said because my antibodies are low I cannot have a genetic connection. Sorry to ask in someone else's post x

shaws profile image
shawsAdministrator in reply to

I have to say I'm not sure but I do know having antibodies is the commonest form of an Autoimmune Thyroid Disease also known as Hashimoto's. Also I do know that hypothyroidism can run in families. The antibodies attack the gland until patient is hypothyroid.

thyroidpharmacist.com/artic...

in reply toshaws

Yes this is what my understanding was, that raised antibodies meant hashimotos so he totally confused me. He isn't a thyroid doctor anyhow he works at the diabetic clinic. Thanks for your help.

sja11 profile image
sja11

Thes are some of my blood test results

Me Normal Ranges

TSH 0.82 mU/L 0.30-4.20mU/L

FreeT4 17pmol/L 12-22pmol/L

FreeT3 3.8pmol/L 3.1-6.8pmol/L

D3 22nmol/L <25 deficient

B12 316ng/L 160-925ng/L

Serum folate 3.5ug/L 3.9-26.8

Serum iron 19.9umol/L 11-36

Serum TIBC 43.4umol/L 53-85

Serum ferritin 74ug/L 40-250

Transferrin saturation index 45.9%

Normal 20-40%

I haven't had back the antibody results yet

humanbean profile image
humanbean in reply tosja11

You will have better luck getting feedback on your results if you put them in a new post with a more informative title. People often tend to stop replying to threads that have been around for more than a couple of days.

Not what you're looking for?

You may also like...

Does anyone know if this is true ?

I have posted over the last few years about my ( undesirable ) weight loss . I started off with...
Pinkpeony profile image

High antibodies is this serious

I have hypothyroidism. In July test was TSH 4.92 tpex 48.3 tgab 338 new test September shows tpex...

Hashimotos? tgab and higher tsh than march this year

so these are my latest results... tsh in may 2018 was 3.2 thyroglobulin was 550 ignore b12 as i...
joeblo profile image

Blood results

My fingerprick blood results have arrived and they are disappointing in terms of a definitive...
Poppet2308 profile image

I was told I had Graves, but TSH Receptor antibody tests just in. Was it Hashi's all along?

I just had my Medichecks TSH Receptor Antibodies result (the first time I've had this done) The...
TaraJR profile image

Moderation team

See all
PurpleNails profile image
PurpleNailsAdministrator
Jaydee1507 profile image
Jaydee1507Administrator
SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator

Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.

Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.