Elevated thyroid peroxidase antibody

[Topaz87]

I am new and have elevated thyroid peroxidase antibodies 448.5 (<34) also sleeping more, dizziness, flushing, muscle cramps, weight gain, puffy eyes. I take 100mcg levothyroxine. Thanks for reading.

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Topaz87 Welcome to the forum.

Did you know that your high antibodies mean that you are positive for autoimmune thyroid disease aka Hashimoto's which is where antibodies attack the thyroid and gradually destroy it. The antibody attacks cause fluctuations in symptoms and test results.

You can help reduce the antibodies by adopting a strict gluten free diet which has helped many members here. Gluten contains gliadin (a protein) which is thought to trigger autoimmune attacks so eliminating gluten can help reduce these attacks. You don't need to be gluten sensitive or have Coeliac disease for a gluten free diet to help.

Supplementing with selenium l-selenomethionine 200mcg daily can also help reduce the antibodies, as can keeping TSH suppressed.

Most doctors know very little, if anything, about antibodies and Hashi's, so it's best to read and learn so that you can help yourself.

Gluten/thyroid connection: chriskresser.com/the-gluten...

stopthethyroidmadness.com/h...

stopthethyroidmadness.com/h...

hypothyroidmom.com/hashimot...

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

**

Hashi's and gut/absorpion problems can go hand in hand, and low nutrient levels are often seen in hypo/Hashi's patients. Some of your symptoms are indicative of low nutrients. Have you had vitamins and minerals tested? If so please post results, with reference ranges, and say what you are supplementing and the dose:

Vit D

B12

Folate

Ferritin

Iron panel

Full blood count

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Do you have your latest thyroid test results? This will indicate if you are optimally dosed. Please post them with their reference ranges for comment. If you don't have them and you live in the UK, just ask at your surgery for a print out. We are legally entitled to them under the Data Protection Act 1998 and we don't have to give a reason for asking for them.

[Topaz87 in reply to SeasideSusie]

Thanks for reply my endo has access to latest thyroid results only, I don't know what they are.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Topaz87]

You are entitled to copies of all blood tests, including ranges.

Email endo's secretary and ask for copies or GP may have them

Changing to a strictly gluten free diet may help reduce symptoms. Very, very many of us here find it really helps and can slowly lower antibodies.

thyroidpharmacist.com/artic...

thyroidpharmacist.com/artic...

amymyersmd.com/2017/02/3-im...

chriskresser.com/why-changi...

scdlifestyle.com/2014/08/th...

Low stomach acid can be an issue

Lots of posts on here about how to improve with Apple cider vinegar or Betaine HCL

thyroidpharmacist.com/artic...

Other things to help heal gut lining

Bone broth

thyroidpharmacist.com/artic...

Probiotics

carolinasthyroidinstitute.c...

[Topaz87 in reply to SlowDragon]

I have a phone consultation next week to discuss latest results, I am anxious to know what they are after having over treated results

[Topaz87 in reply to SeasideSusie]

Ferritin 41 (15 - 150)

Folate 2.3 (2.5 - 19.5)

Vitamin B12 325 (190 - 900)

Vitamin D 43.8 (25 - 50 deficiency)

Iron 10.2 (6.0 - 26.0)

Transferrin 16 (12 - 45)

Red blood count 4.45 (3.80 - 5.80)

White cell count 7.11 (4.00 - 11.00)

MCV 78.2 (80 - 100)

MCH 27.8 (27 - 32)

MCHC 375 (310 - 360)

Platelets 253 (150 - 400)

Taking 1 iron tablet

800iu vitamin D3

5mg folic acid

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Topaz87]

Topaz87 Thyroid hormone can't work with these dire levels.

Ferritin 41 (15 - 150) 1 x iron tablet

For thyroid hormone to work ferritin needs to be at least 70, preferably half way through range.You can help raise your level by eating liver regularly, maximum 200g per week due to it's high Vit A content, and including lots of iron rich foods in your diet apjcn.nhri.org.tw/server/in...

1 x iron tablet may be enough to help raise ferritin but these results:

MCV 78.2 (80 - 100)

MCH 27.8 (27 - 32)

MCHC 375 (310 - 360)

they suggest iron deficiency anaemia and you need the appropriate treatment - see NICE Clinical Knowledge Summary for iron deficiency anaemia treatment (which will be very similar to your local area guidelines) cks.nice.org.uk/anaemia-iro...

How should I treat iron deficiency anaemia?

•Address underlying causes as necessary (for example treat menorrhagia or stop nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, if possible).

•Treat with oral ferrous sulphate 200 mg tablets two or three times a day.

◦If ferrous sulphate is not tolerated, consider oral ferrous fumarate tablets or ferrous gluconate tablets.

◦Do not wait for investigations to be carried out before prescribing iron supplements.

•If dietary deficiency of iron is thought to be a contributory cause of iron deficiency anaemia, advise the person to maintain an adequate balanced intake of iron-rich foods (for example dark green vegetables, iron-fortified bread, meat, apricots, prunes, and raisins) and consider referral to a dietitian.

• Monitor the person to ensure that there is an adequate response to iron treatment.

So you need to ask your GP to treat you appropriately.

Take each iron tablet with 1000mg Vitamin C to aid absorption and help prevent constipaton. Always take iron 4 hours away from thyroid meds and two hours away from other medication and supplements as it will affect absorption.

**

Folate 2.3 (2.5 - 19.5)

Vitamin B12 325 (190 - 900)

5mg folic acid

How long have you been taking the folic acid? Are these results from before starting it or since being on it for a while? If you've been supplementing for a while then you are still folate deficient.

Do you have any signs of B12 deficiency b12deficiency.info/signs-an... If so you need to post on the Pernicious Anaemia Society forum healthunlocked.com/pasoc but if not you could self supplement with B12 with that level.

An extract from the book, "Could it be B12?" by Sally M. Pacholok:

"We believe that the 'normal' serum B12 threshold needs to be raised from 200 pg/ml to at least 450 pg/ml because deficiencies begin to appear in the cerebrospinal fluid below 550".

"For brain and nervous system health and prevention of disease in older adults, serum B12 levels should be maintained near or above 1000 pg/ml."

Sublingual methylcobalamin lozenges are what's needed if you wish to self supplement, 5000mcg daily to start then when the bottle is finished change to 1000mcg as a maintenance dose, along with a good quality B Complex (eg Thorne Basic B) to balance all the B vitamins.

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Vitamin D 43.8 (25 - 50 deficiency) 800iu D3

800iu D3 isn't going to raise your level. It is hardly a maintenance dose for someone with a reasonable level.

You need far more. My suggestion is to buy some D3 softgels like these bodykind.com/product/2463-b... and take 5000iu daily for 3 monhs then retest. Once you've reached the level recommended by the Vit D Council - which is 100-150nmol/L - then you'll need a maintenance dose which may be 2000iu daily, it's trial and error so it's recommended to retest once or twice a year to keep within the recommended range. You can do this with a private fingerprick blood spot test with City Assays vitamindtest.org.uk/

There are important cofactors needed when taking D3

vitamindcouncil.org/about-v...

D3 aids absorption of calcium from food and K2-MK7 directs the calcium to bones and teeth where it is needed and away from arteries and soft tissues where it can be deposited and cause problems.

D3 and K2 are fat soluble so should be taken with the fattiest meal of the day, D3 four hours away from thyroid meds.

Magnesium comes in different forms, check to see which would suit you best and as it's calming it's best taken in the evening, four hours away from thyroid meds

naturalnews.com/046401_magn...

Check out the other cofactors too.

[Topaz87 in reply to SeasideSusie]

Folate result after taking folic acid which I have been on for a year thanks

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Topaz87]

I think you need to point out to your GP that despite taking folic acid for a year you are still folate deficient and does he not think there is a problem. Put the ball in his court, ask him to explain why and what he intends to do about it.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Your "over treated" results are likely due to dire vitamin levels stopping thyroid hormones working

Endo's have little interest or understanding of the importance of vitamin levels or how Hashimoto's affects the gut

See SeasideSusie detailed vitamin supplements advice