Just needs some advice/opinions/support - my tsh has always been ‘normal’ ranging between 1.62-3.43 but when I had a blood pressure monitor I could finally show them that my resting heart rate is abnormal at 46, sometimes as low as 38. I pointed this out to the doctor and she ordered the antibodies test to see if it was the thyroid. Got the results:
anti tpo - >1300,
anti-thyroglobulin 137
The next doctor said definitely Hashimoto’s so ordered me an ultrasound and said she would refer me to an endocrinologist but it would probably be a wait and see approach. Had the ultrasound which showed minimal changes, no nodules. Figured I would ask for other thyroid checks, vitamin panels etc so I could start supplementing and hopefully avoid worse symptoms and the head of the surgery has said there’s no need to test as I don’t have hashimoto’s or any thyroid issues yet as my tsh is normal. (The last one was November and it was 2.2) but that he would test me for coeliac disease after I told him I felt better on a gluten free diet. Thing is he wants me to eat gluten for a month so that the antibodies will show up.
Is this advisable? And am I right in thinking that positive antibodies means I do have hashimoto’s?
Thanks and sorry for the long post.
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Emmac1581
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NHS won't diagnose hypothyroidism until TSH is over range or FT4 below range.
Anti TPO 1300 and anti-thyroglobulin 137 confirms autoimmune thyroiditis (Hashimoto's). It could take months or years for your TSH and thyroid levels to become abnormal so you should have annual thyroid function tests (TSH and FT4) to monitor. Supplementing 100-200mcg selenium daily is good thyroid support and may help delay progression to hypothyroidism.
There is no cure for 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.
Coeliac organisation recommend eating gluten in at least 2 meals daily for up to six weeks prior to blood testing otherwise antibodies may not react and you will get a negative result. It is a notoriously inaccurate test so even if the result is negative ie ruling out gluten intolerance, many people have gluten sensitivity and will feel better on a gluten-free diet.
Thanks for your reply. This is what I’ve been reading so part of me is reluctant to eat something that is potentially going to make me feel rubbish just for the small possibility it’ll show on a test. The other part of me misses French bread...
Essential to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12. Always get actual results and ranges. Post results when you have them, members can advise
Hashimoto's affects the gut and leads to low stomach acid and then low vitamin levels
Low vitamin levels affect 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
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What is considered a positive antibodies result? 
Unsuppressed TSH and positive Anti-thyroid Antibodies 
Confused - why are my antibodies still so high?
Antibodies and Hashimoto’s
