Thank you for guiding me to Medichecks, from whom I've just received my test results:
TSH 2.69; Free Thyroxine 18.9; T4 91.6; T3 4.67 - all within normal range.
However, Thyroglobulin Antibody *344; Thyroid Peroxidase Antibodies *82.2Please can you explain what these raised antibody levels mean? The comment attached to my result says they're consistent with an autoimmune cause for my hypothyrodism but, please excuse my ignorance, I'm still not sure what that means.
I was diagnosed c.16 months ago, and am currently taking 75mg Levothyroxine.
Written by
LesLiz22
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The aim, when diagnosed with hypothyroidism and when taking thyroid hormone replacements, is a TSH of 1 or below. With Free T4 and Free T3 towards the upper part of the range. You haven't given the ranges only the results.
Your dose of 75mcg is too low and you need an increase to bring TSH to 1 or below.
Thyroid antibodies mean you have an Autoimmune Thyroid Disease commonly called Hashimoto's. The antibodies attack your thyroid gland and to reduce the attack (they wax and wane) going gluten-free can help reduce them. We do not want 'within normal range' we need optimum ranges. Treatment is the same as for hypothyroidism, i.e. levothyroxine.
Thank you. Your guidance is incredibly valuable in helping me to prep for seeing my GP, who had refused my recent request for a blood test, saying my TSH was ‘perfect’ at 1.12 back in September so there was no need to do any tests at this time, despite my symptoms.
Ranges:
TSH 2.69 (0.27-4.20);
Free Thyroxine 18.9 (12.00-22.00); Total T4 91.6 (59.00-154.00);
Would an increase to 100mcg Levi likely be sufficient for me at this time? And do you think I am best to stay with my GP or ask to be referred to an endocrinologist at this stage?
Some info about Hashi's. Doctors tend to dismiss antibodies as of no importance and don't understand what Hashi's can do. Read, learn, understand and help yourself because you won't get much help from doctors where Hashi's is concerned.
As well as adopting a gluten free diet, supplementing with selenium L-selenomethionine 200mcg and keeping TSH suppressed can also help reduce antibodies.
Hashi's and gut/absorption problems tend to go hand in hand and very often low nutrient levels are the result. If not already tested, ask for
Vit D
B12
Folate
Ferritin
andnif ferritin is low you'll need
Iron Panel
Full Blood Count
If GP won't do them we have recommended labs that do home fingerprick (or venous blood draw) tests.
Essential to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12. Always get actual results and ranges. Post results when you have them, members can advise
Your antibodies are high this is Hashimoto's, (also known by medics here in UK more commonly as autoimmune thyroid disease). About 90% of all hypothyroidism in Uk is due to Hashimoto's
With Hashimoto's, our gut can be badly affected. Low stomach acid can lead to poor absorption of vitamins. Low vitamin levels stop thyroid hormones working.
Poor gut function can lead leaky gut (literally holes in gut wall) this can cause food intolerances. Most common by far is gluten
According to Izabella Wentz the Thyroid Pharmacist approx 5% with Hashimoto's are coeliac, but over 80% find gluten free diet helps significantly. Either due to direct gluten intolerance (no test available) or due to leaky gut and gluten causing molecular mimicry (see Amy Myers link)
But don't be surprised that GP or endo never mention gut, gluten or low vitamins. Hashimoto's is very poorly understood
Changing to a strictly gluten free diet may help reduce symptoms, help gut heal and slowly lower TPO antibodies
Thanks for your guidance. Took my results to GP who acknowledged that I had Hashis but was clearly unimpressed I’d taken the initiative! I told him I was considering a gluten-free diet and he said I should have other tests incl one for Coeliac disease before I adapt my diet. Result just back: tissu transglutamin IgS lev: result: 1 u/mL (normal range: 0-6.9u/mL). Please can you explain what this means for me?
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Antibodies etc
Thyroid antibodies
TPO antibodies
Normal antibodies???
