TRAB antibodies back after RAI?

[ilenuca]

is there anyone who's got the TRAB antibodies back after RAI?

I still have a large part of my thyroid. i had Graves, now im hypo. my endo wants to test the trab again. the last time i did this test was 2 years ago and it was negative. this test costs a lot and I do not want to do it for nothing. it is possible that sometime in the future these antibodies will return? and being hypo at the same time? my last tests was done 5 weeks ago, on 88 mcg levo since then

tsh 2.11 0.4 - 4

ft4 1.17 0.8 - 1.9

ft3 2.60 1.8 - 4.2

[Clutter]

ilenuca,

Unlike Hashimoto's, Graves antibodies don't go away after thyroidectomy or RAI and can go on to attack other organs, usually the eyes. I'm surprised you had a sero negative result if they were once positive. A number of members who have Graves Disease have become hypothyroid without having RAI.

You are undermedicated on 88mcg to have TSH 2.11. The goal of Levothyroxine is to restore the patient to euthyroid status. For most patients that will be when TSH is 0.3 - 1.0 with FT4 in the upper range. FT4 needs to be in the upper range in order that sufficient T3 is converted. Read Treatment Options in thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_... Email [e-mail] if you would like a copy of the Pulse article to show your GP or endo.

[ilenuca in reply to Clutter]

You are right, i still have trab but its in range <0.21 (range <1). What i meant is if they will ever rise above 1...so IT usually attacks the eyes. Then what else?

I know im undermedicated now. I am on a rising dose

[Clutter in reply to ilenuca]

ilenuca,

If it's in range I think it's just gone dormant. Apart from the eyes Graves can also attack internal organs such as kidneys etc.

[ilenuca in reply to Clutter]

Probably like 0.21 is the detection limit so IT could be negative.

[Clutter in reply to ilenuca]

ilenuca,

Ask your endo whether knowing if antibodies are low or high will affect your treatment. As far as I'm aware it doesn't make any difference to treatment so you might want to save the money.