Hi I have high TPO and TG antibodies they are TPO 849.5 (<34) TG 258.3 (<115) I also have memory loss tiredness pins and needles dry skin increase in bloating weight gain hard stool is it likely I need increase in meds from 25 mcg Levo diagnosed 2013 with hypo thankyou
Newbie with high antibodies: Hi I have high TPO... - Thyroid UK
Newbie with high antibodies
Have you only ever been on 25mcg?
That is not even standard starter dose of 50mcg
What are your most recent blood test results
TSH, FT4 and FT3
Do you have high thyroid antibodies? This is Hashimoto's also called autoimmune thyroid disease
Essential to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12
Low vitamins stop thyroid hormones working
The aim of Levothyroxine is to be retested after 6-8 weeks on starter dose. Then it's increased in 25mcg steps until TSH is around one and FT4 towards top of range and FT3 at least half way in range
For full evaluation you ideally need TSH, FT4, FT3, TT4, TPO and TG antibodies, plus vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 tested
See if you can get full thyroid and vitamin testing from GP. Unlikely to get FT3
Private tests are available
thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/testin...
Vitamindtest.org.uk - £28 postal kit
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, lowest FT4 and most consistent results
Link about antibodies
thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_...
Link about thyroid blood tests
thyroiduk.org/tuk/testing/t...
Print this list of symptoms off, tick all that apply and take to GP
thyroiduk.org/tuk/about_the...
See Box 1. Towards end of article
Some possible causes of persistent symptoms in euthyroid patients on L-T4
You will see low vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 listed
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi...
Just told undermedicated by GP no idea what levels are
Was previously on 175 mcg levo
What idiot reduced your dose by so much. Maximum dose should change up or especially downwards is 25mcg
You are seriously under medicated. Almost certainly have extremely low vitamin levels
Did you have T3 started and then stopped?
Why was dose reduced
Make an urgent appointment with GP for 25mcg Levo dose increase and get vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 tested
You will need bloods retesting after 6 weeks on increased dose, further 25mcg dose increase etc until TSH is around one and FT4 towards top of range and FT3 at least half way through range
Your high antibodies confirm you have Hashimoto's
Hashimoto's affects the gut and leads to low stomach acid and then low vitamin levels
Low vitamin levels stop Thyroid hormone 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
thyroidpharmacist.com/artic...
thyroidpharmacist.com/artic...
amymyersmd.com/2017/02/3-im...
chriskresser.com/the-gluten...
scdlifestyle.com/2014/08/th...
drknews.com/changing-your-d...
GP reduced my dose by that much, the endo was happy with my levels. Yes I was taking T3 and had it stopped. Endo believed I would manage without it but since then levels never stabilised thanks
Your GP should not be altering dose
Endo is specialist
When T3 is removed vitamin levels crash right out. This prevents thyroid hormones working
You will need to build back up slowly and essential to get vitamins back up before restarting T3
See these typical posts
healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...
healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...
healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...
healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...
Thyroid UK are collecting evidence of malpractice due to removing clinically needed T3
Please consider sending a brief outline of this. How T3 improved you and the subsequent disaster since it was stopped. I would include the dire vitamin levels