Antibodies are 3

Hello just a quick question, I’m newly diagnosed and for weeks on levo...thankfully seeing some improvement after a bumpy start . Just been advised by GP that my antibody level is 3 ( he says that’s good) can anyone tell me what that means (TSH down fro 17 to five since starting levo and GP says he wants it under 2).

Thank you Michael

[Hidden]

Normal range for TPO antibodies is 0-60 so your result is in range and means you do not have autoimmune Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

You should be retested 6-8 weeks after any dose change

Many find need a TSH even lower than 2

Important to test vitamins too - these are often too low as result of being hypo and may need supplementing to improve.

Good that TPO antibodies are low. Ideally would also test TG antibodies

For full evaluation you need TSH, FT4, FT3, TT4, TPO and TG antibodies, plus vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 tested

You are unlikely to get full thyroid and vitamin testing from GP (rarely test FT3 or TG antibodies)

Private tests information

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/testin...

Medichecks Thyroid plus ultra vitamin or Blue Horizon Thyroid plus eleven are the most popular choice. DIY finger prick test or option to pay extra for private blood draw. Both companies often have money off offers.

All thyroid tests should be done as early as possible in morning and fasting and don't take Levo in the 24 hours prior to test, delay and take straight after. This gives highest TSH and most consistent results

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

And another 'normal range' for TPO antibodies is 0-34. I'm sure there are others. What is the range for your particular test, that's the only way to interpret your result.

If your level is low, well below the limit of, say <34, then that result does not indicate autoimmune thyroid disease.

[Hidden]

Thanks for the replies - I’m lucky with my GP he is happy to test TSH, T4, antibodies and vitamins/minerals so far. He might push to do just TSH once scores are down.

Butch I don’t have Hashimoto what caused my hypothyroidism?

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Hidden]

"But I don’t have Hashimoto what caused my hypothyroidism?"

There are many causes besides Hashi's.

Environmental toxins attacking the thyroid

Addition of flouride to water supply

Certain drugs suppress thyroid function

Problem with pituitary or hypothalamus

Glandular fever/Epstein Barr Virus

Trauma/whiplash

Pregnancy