Thyroid antibodies - what affects them?

[janesp]

Hi all,

Does anyone know much about what affects thyroid antibody levels?

I'm getting them tested privately in the New Year and am wondering whether my recently increased Levo. dose will have any effect on the level of antibodies that might show up in the test.

(My TSH came out as 5.7 so the GP upped my prescription of Levo. from 50mcg to 75mcg. I started on this 2 days ago).

Have been suffering for years with illness so this is the start of trying to get to the bottom of it all. I'm hoping that any tests will be as accurate as possible though.

[Hidden]

janesp no Levothyroxine does not affect antibodies. In simple terms, you have two conditions: the autoimmune condition thyroiditis aka Hashimoto's which has damaged your thyroid; and hypothyroidism as a result of your thyroid no longer functioning properly. Being hypothyroid you have an inadequate endogenous supply of thyroid hormones, and your Levothyroxine is intended simply to supplement the hormones you are lacking.

[janesp in reply to Hidden]

Ah, OK.

[Rmichelle]

Hi jane the question here that everyone will ask especially the regular more experienced forumers is "are you gluten free"? By doing this it may lower your antibodies, alot of people here are gluten free, i have 2 immune diseases hashimotos and celiac so have to be gluten free.

Mote people will respond later to advise- slow dragom is very good with such matters.x

[janesp in reply to Rmichelle]

Thanks. Not gluten free - I'm going to see what the antibody test shows. Although from what I've read online, 90% of people with under-active thyroid would have the antibodies, i.e. Hashimotos.

[Clairewalker751]

Hi janesp when diagnosed I had antibodies of over 1000 thanks to this forum and lots of reading I went gluten free kept my TSH surpressed and take selenium and my antibodies have drastically reduced! I don't know which is helping or if it's a combination but izabella wentz is a good read if you have hashimotos I was diagnosed in February of this year so still working on nutrient levels and finding the right dose so it's a slow process but for me just addressing the lack of thyroid hormones isn't enough I want to manage the autoimmune condition also?

[janesp in reply to Clairewalker751]

Hi Clairewalker - thanks yes I'm thinking I want to manage it too (if that's what I have) as I've felt so ill for years off and on and haven't been helped at all. Were you diagnosed as having Hashimoto's by the GP or did you get a private blood test?

[Clairewalker751 in reply to janesp]

Doctor told me it is autoimmune condition but only because I asked what caused it? And GP told me that the lab only test TSH even if she requests T4 and T3 so I've used medichecks ever since to monitor my own progress including antibodies? Amy Myers the autoimmune solution is another good read for tackling the autoimmune issues x

[janesp in reply to Clairewalker751]

Thanks, that's really helpful. I've ordered a medichecks test to do in the New Year. My GP is the same. Just one more question - how have you felt since going gluten free and taking selenium, have you noticed much of a difference?

[Clairewalker751 in reply to janesp]

I went gluten free and took selenium within weeks of diagnosis so it's hard to know if I would have felt so much better just on levo? I've increased my dose 3 times and I've recently started taking some thyrogold which contains T3 I still have some symptoms but I don't think I've found the right medication or dose yet and my ferritin and Vit D are not yet optimal, I don't miss gluten tbf I just eat differently I've given up milk too and switched to almond milk I'm still a work in progress but it took years to become unwell so I've only been tackling things for 10 months. I'm just aiming to iron out the niggles?

[Rmichelle]

Hi there i managed to get tpo done for hashis at my doctors but tsi still pestering endo to do. Going gluten free will help-anything is worth ago and at least you will have a choice whether to continue or not, i dont what with being celiac but it is not that bad and quite easy really, just a pain when it comes to eating out. I have been gluten free for around 3 months now and you do suffer withdrawls from gluten, mire tummy upsets, headaches etc but they will wear off, i think it takes a goid 6 months to see real benefit.x