Antibodies

[Rendezvous]

What is the treatment if thyroid test ok but high antibodies? Hope you can help.

[Clutter]

Rendezvous,

There is no treatment or cure for autoimmune thyroiditis (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.

chriskresser.com/the-gluten...

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

NHS won't usually treat with Levothyroxine until TSH is abnormal or FT4 below range. However, there is evidence that treatment will delay progression to hypothyroidism.

Dr A Toft, consultant physician and endocrinologist at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, has recently written in Pulse Magazine, "The combination of a normal serum T4 and raised serum TSH is known as subclinical hypothyroidism. If measured, serum T3 will also be normal. Repeat the thyroid function tests in two or three months in case the abnormality represents a resolving thyroiditis.2 But if it persists then antibodies to thyroid peroxidase should be measured.

If these are positive – indicative of underlying autoimmune thyroid disease – the patient should be considered to have the mildest form of hypothyroidism.

In the absence of symptoms some would simply recommend annual thyroid function tests until serum TSH is over 10mU/l or symptoms such as tiredness and weight gain develop. But a more pragmatic approach is to recognise that the thyroid failure is likely to become worse and try to nip things in the bud rather than risk loss to follow-up."

Read Guidelines for the Use of Thyroid Function Tests and Treatment Options in thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_... Email dionne.fulcher @thyroiduk.org if you would like a copy of the Pulse article to show your GP.

[Rendezvous in reply to Clutter]

Thank you. I dont understand all the figures and trying to get print out from Surgery. I do limit my gluten intake and it helped IBS Syndrome as advised by a gastro consultant. Maybe I will have to reduce more gluten and find out what else contains it. I have thought porage oats ok but does that contain a gluten i should avoid.?

Would this cause the symptoms of coldness cramp in legs and tiredness.

Also getting aching bones, but test is apparently ok.

These symptoms only occurred since switched from oral solution to half tablet form and half oral solution.

[humanbean in reply to Rendezvous]

The problem with porridge is that it is usually processed from the original grain in premises where wheat is also processed. Contamination of the oats with wheat is, I would say, 100% certain.

You can buy porridge which is processed in places where no wheat is handled in the Free-From sections of supermarkets but it is very expensive and comes in very small bags.

[Clutter in reply to Rendezvous]

Rendezvous,

As far as improving Hashimoto's antibodies and symptoms is concerned you need to be 100% gluten-free. As far as I'm aware oats are gluten-free but you may need to check they were produced in factory which can guarantee them to be free of gluten contamination from other products.

Hashimoto's may cause the fatigue, cold legs and aching bones you have. I had similar symptoms years when I had euthyroid Hashimoto's.

What test did you have for aching bones? Vitamin D deficiency can cause bone and joint pain.

What tablet and oral solution are you taking?

[Rendezvous in reply to Clutter]

I take 50mcg tablet and 2ml oral making 90 mcg in all was on 5ml oral before. I wss on just 50mcg tablet for several months as couldnt take more and asked doc to,top it up for me with the oral,solution which he did. Not told doc abt aching legs, cold cramps or aching bones, have just said i was very tired and felt unwell. . Perhaps I need to buy some calxium and vit D as I have osteoporosis in bottom half of spine. Can you recommend which make, Boots, or whatever? What strength? Also does,Vit C help antibodies?

Thanks all for your advice which is invaluable

[Clutter in reply to Rendezvous]

Rendezvous,

What are the tablets and oral medicine called? Are they Levothyroxine or something else?

You need calcium and vitamin D blood tests to check levels before you supplement calcium and vitamin D. I'm surprised you are not already prescribed something for osteoporosis.

Vitamin C won't help antibodies but does boost the immune system so is a good vitamin to take during the winter.

[Rendezvous in reply to Clutter]

Eltroxin tablets,and Levothyrozine which is also a Mercury Pharma product is what i take. Was disgnosed osteopsorosis 25yrs ago and think I shkd have taken something then. .

[Clutter in reply to Rendezvous]

Rendezvous,

If you ask your GP receptionist for a printout of your thyroid results and ranges I'll tell you whether you are optimally dosed on 50mcg Eltroxin and 2ml liquid thyroxine.

As I said, I'm surprised you aren't prescribed calcium or vitamin D but you shouldn't supplement without testing levels first to guide you to dose.

[Rendezvous in reply to Clutter]

THYROID TEST NOV 2017. I now have my results.

Serum free T4 level 16.9. (7 - 17.0

Serum TSH level O.25. (0.20 - 4.50)

Thyroid peroxidase TPO antibody result positive

140 O.00 - 9.00

I asked about T3 and lab told it wasnt necessary

Result normal/satisfactory no action

Would like your thoughts Clutter please and others .

[Clutter in reply to Rendezvous]

Rendezvous,

The results are good. TSH is low-normal and FT4 is almost top of the range.

Thyroid peroxidase antibodies are positive for autoimmune thyroid disease (Hashimoto's). There is no cure for Hashimoto's which causes 90% of hypothyroidism. Levothyroxine 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_...

[Rendezvous in reply to Clutter]

Thank you Clutter,much appreciated. Does it also mean that the T3 is normal? Think I need to find out now if I need calcium and vit D. Thanksfor your support

[Clutter in reply to Rendezvous]

Rendezvous,

As TSH is low and FT4 high in range it is likely FT3 is within range but you would need a FT3 test to confirm.

If your GP won't do the tests you require you can order them via thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/testin...

[Rendezvous in reply to Clutter]

Thanksfor that. So you know roughly what they may charge for each single test i ncluding Vits?

[Clutter in reply to Rendezvous]

Rendezvous,

Medichecks Ultra Vit is about £99 and includes Thyroid tests and vitamins. You can order them individually but you will have to look them up for the prices.

[Rendezvous]

I have asked at gge Surgery but they have to request permission from the Doctor before hand. Said they will get back to me after she has talked to the doc. Guess i will have to go back to see the doctor about the calcium. Was not long ago given some, but not with vit D, but wasnt tested.

[Rendezvous in reply to Rendezvous]

I now have my results.

Serum free T4 level 16.9. (7 - 17.0

Serum TSH level O.25. (0.20 - 4.50)

Thyroid peroxidase TPO antibody result positive

140 O.00 - 9.00

I asked about T3 and lab told it wasnt necessary

Result normal/satisfactory no action

Would like your thoughts Clutter please

[Rendezvous]

I now have my results. Can anyone help please

Serum free T4 level 16.9. (7 - 17.0

Serum TSH level O.25. (0.20 - 4.50)

Thyroid peroxidase TPO antibody result positive

140 O.00 - 9.00

I asked about T3 and lab told it wasnt necessary

Result normal/satisfactory no action

Next test to e in a year according to results .