Thyroid antibodies

[Nicki24110]

Well, went for a second opinion as GP won't start treatment yet even though I've tested positive for thyroid antibodies.

I've got my results, can anyone shed some light ??

Serum TSH level 4.01

Thyroid Peroxidase antibody 74 ku/L 0 - 59

[Clutter]

Nicki24110,

Do you have the lab ref range for TSH? It will enable us to see how much further your TSH has to climb before your GP is likely to prescribe Levothyroxine. NHS won't usually diagnose hypothyroidism until TSH is over range.

Thyroid peroxidase antibodies are positive for autoimmune thyroid disease (Hashimoto's). There is no cure for Hashimoto's which causes 90% of hypothyroidism. Treatment is for the low thyroid levels it causes. Many people have found that 100% gluten-free diet is helpful in reducing Hashi flares, symptoms and eventually antibodies.

chriskresser.com/the-gluten...

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

[Nicki24110 in reply to Clutter]

He said it had to reach 5.5 before it was out of 'normal' range

[Nicki24110 in reply to Clutter]

I got a print out of TSH levels, since 2014 (I didn't even know they'd been tested) they have gone from 2.0 to 4.01

[Clutter in reply to Nicki24110]

Nicki24110,

Rising TSH shows your thyroid is progressively failing but hasn't failed sufficiently for your GP to diagnose hypothyroidism and prescribe Levothyroxine.

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/diagno...

[Nicki24110 in reply to Clutter]

It's quite scary to know there's a problem and you have loads of symptoms but they won't do anything. It's just crazy.

[Clutter in reply to Nicki24110]

Nicki24110,

I wish there was more accounting for clinical symptoms in conjunction with blood tests. It seems dishonest to tell patients that TSH 4.01 doesn't indicate thyroid dysfunction when symptoms can become evident months/years before thyroid blood tests become abnormal.

[Nicki24110 in reply to Clutter]

Thing is Clutter, I didn't even know I had a problem with my thyroid until 2 months ago when I had a scan and it showed up an inflamed thyroid