possitive anti-tro value and thyroid nodule

[Styn]

Hallo to all I am new here...

Last year I found a nodule on my thyroid, but as its size was small (.7cm) and the blood tests were ok (thyroid hormones) my doc only suggested to check it again. Last month I had the nodule checked with an ultra sound and found that it increased slightly, but, my blood test showed possitive ANTI-TRO value of 181 IU/ml. Free T4 at 1.28 is normal as well as TSH (but lower than last year 0.792). Also I was alarmed to see increased ESR at 38.

After this I started a gluten free diet (for a month) and repeated the test but the ANTI-TRO value increased to 186 IU/ml !! I am a 45 yr old woman and while my period was always normal last month it did not come. I also was very stressed lately.

My doc isn't talking too much as I have read from others -wait and see, but I would like some advice so that I can try ways to help myself and avoid any mistakes.

So kindly respond and I will grately appreciate it.

All the best to all, m we have good health!!

[Clutter]

Welcome to the forum, Styn.

Thyroid nodules <1cm are almost always benign. They are usually very slow growing but once they are >2cm it is usual to do a fine needle aspiration biopsy to check for malignancy.

Do you have the lab ref range for FT4? The result is meaningless without the range. What is your TSH level?

Anti-TPO (thyroid peroxidase antibodies) are positive for autoimmune thyroiditis (Hashimoto's). There is no cure for Hashimoto's which causes 90% of hypothyroidism. Levothyroxine 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 and it may delay progression to hypothyroidism. It will often take 12 months or longer to see a fall in antibody levels and G_F doesn't help everyone.

chriskresser.com/the-gluten...

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

ESR is a non-specific inflammation marker and 38 is high. Has your GP done a full blood count to rule out infection?

[Styn]

Many thanks Clutter for your reply

My Free T4 is 1.28, RV 0.9-1.7 and

TSH is 0.79, RV 0.27-4.2

so both values are within normal ranges but the Anti-Tro is possitive 186, RV >34.

I am otherwise healthy with normal weight, but I am feeling tired and stessed all the time and many times feel that by body burns from inside, I also have headackes that I didn't have before.

Thank you for pointing out that a G-F diet will need some time to show its results so I will continue. I understand that if/or when the antibodies increase my thyroid will be destoyed, are there any supplements that lower the antibodies?

Also, since I don't have any infection, and blood count showed normal values, is it possible that the increased ESR is associated with the Anti-tro? I have read about chronic inflammation how can someone find what triggers it? I don't smoke and eat a healthy diet.

thank you so much!