Tg Ab

[whatis]

Hi can anyone tell me what it means to have normal TPO and 340 TgAb. With normal thyroid results, no removal of thyroid. Thyroid symptoms.

Thanks.

[Clutter]

Whatis,

It means you are positive for autoimmune thyroid disease (Hashimoto's). Hashimoto's with normal thyroid levels is known as euthyroid Hashimoto's. There is no cure for Hashimoto's which causes 90% of hypothyroidism. Treatment is for the low thyroid levels it eventually 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_...

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/resear...

medscape.com/viewarticle/76...

[whatis in reply to Clutter]

Hi thanks.

Cutting out dairy and gluten years ago was one of the best things I ever did.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Apparently can also have high TG Ab due to Graves' disease or other non Thyroid issues - e.g. Rheumatoid Arrhritus, lupus, Urticaria, diabetes etc. Or this link below says 15-20% population have high TG Ab for no obvious reason.

emedicine.medscape.com/arti...

High TPO Ab always indicates Hashimotos, but not everyone with Hashimotos necessarily has high antibodies. Apparently about 20% with Hashimotos don't have raised TPO antibodies. But can hopefully be diagnosed with thyroid scan.

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

drknews.com/unraveling-thyr...

[whatis in reply to SlowDragon]

Wiki states that only 3% of the population have high tgAb for no obvious reason:

"Thyroglobulin antibodies are specific for thyroglobulin, a 660kDa matrix protein involved in the process of thyroid hormone production. They are found in 70% of Hashimoto's thyroiditis, 60% of idiopathic hypothyroidism, 30% of Graves' disease, a small proportion of thyroid carcinoma and 3% of normal individuals.[1][3]

Anti-TPO antibodies are present in 99% of cases where thyroglobulin antibodies are present, however only 35% of anti-TPO antibody positive cases also demonstrate thyroglobulin antibodies."

[whatis]

I was sub clinical hypothyroid for years and expecting my tsh to be finally over 10 to try treatment as am severely ill.

My tsh 3 now, so...

I have endocrinologist appointment. I should expect a thyroid ultra sound and blood panel to rule out cancer/graves/lupus/diabetes/?

I should eat gluten and sugar before the test to ensure accurate diagnosis?

[whatis]

Can I ask tpo and anti thyroglobulin test for seperate things antibodies againt an enzyme and against a protein.

Can I ask which is which?

[helvella Administrator in reply to whatis]

Thyroid Peroxidase in an enzyme (the ending, -ase, usually indicates that).

Thyroglobulin is a protein.

[whatis]

Also should my G.P. give me a referral to an Endocrinologist for this result?

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to whatis]

Unlikely to get referral on "normal" Thyroid results & only high TG Ab

Have you had vitamin D, folate, ferritin & B12 tested? These need to be at good levels.

The fact you are gluten free & dairy free obviously shows gut is involved.

Magnesium deficiency can be an issue for coeliac's & possibly with Hashimotos too

glutenfreeworks.com/blog/20...

thyroidpharmacist.com/artic...

hypothyroidmom.com/two-vita...

[whatis in reply to SlowDragon]

Aren't they obligated to rule out thyroid cancer?

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to whatis]

I think you would need to have a nodule or hot spot.

Have you had thyroid scanned - if not ask for that. Possibly GP can arrange

[Clutter in reply to whatis]

Whatis,

Do you have thyroid nodules? ThyCa is rarely found in thyroid nodules <1cm. If you have thyroid nodules >2cm an ultrasound guided fine needle aspiration biopsy is usually done to rule out malignancy. 95% of thyroid nodules are benign.

[whatis in reply to Clutter]

My neck is killing me. A constant tight feeling, like i am being strangled. I have had a lump under my left collar bone which sometimes enlarges enough to pop out, but cant reliably be felt. There is none on the right.

My leg and underarm hair stopped growing as did my eyebrows but am not missing the classic outer brow.

My head hair is thinning.

I have a sore throat and it hurts if i talk too much. I can barely function. With evenings being almost feeling normal.

I have had the lump for a very long time.

[Clutter in reply to whatis]

Whatis,

Have you had an ultrasound scan to check the lump under your collar bone and to see whether there is inflammation of the thyroid gland?

Symptoms often precede abnormal thyroid levels. Loss of body hair is a typical symptoms as is head hair thinning.

[whatis in reply to Clutter]

No, will ask g.p.. how does the g.p. arrange this? like a blood test?

[Clutter in reply to whatis]

Whatis,

Your GP will know how to order it if s/he thinks it clinically necessary.

An ultrasound scan is a small hand held scanner. The technician will put gel on your throat and upper chest to glide the scanner over to take images of your thyroid. It's not painful or uncomfortable.

[whatis in reply to Clutter]

My G.P. doesn't think anything is clinically necessary. Am trying to change.

Thanks all.

Might I just ask one more thing.

A baffling symptom I have had for years. Just before my monthly cycle is due, my gums go ghostly white and drained of all colour.

Now, its not iron as I have tried that.

But more oddly, on the first day of my cycle, when I am losing blood, my gums have gone pink again. This happens without fail and without supplementing...

Has anyone heard of this?

[Clutter in reply to whatis]

Whatis,

Can't help about the white gums. Perhaps your dentist can explain why.