Both kinds of antibodies present?

[GordonS333]

Hi, like many others here, I'm looking for some help deciphering my thyroid results:

THYROID STIMULATING HORMONE: 2.30 mIU/L, ref range 0.27 - 4.2

FREE THYROXINE: 18.7 pmol/l, ref range 12.0 - 22.0

TOTAL THYROXINE(T4): 111 nmol/L, ref range 59 - 154

FREE T3: 5.2 pmol/L, ref range 3.1 - 6.8

Thyroglobulin Antibody: 95.0 IU/mL, ref range 0-115

Thyroid Peroxidase Antibodies: 256.0 IU/mL, ref range 0 - 34 HIGH

As far as I can tell, the only ones of concern here are the antibodies - my TPO is too high, and thyroglobulin antibody is close to the top of the reference range. Does anyone know what that means when both kinds of antibody are present?

If it helps, my symptoms are feeling like I'm just starting to have a hypo (as in, low blood sugar): anxiety, mental fog, a bit shakey, a bit irritable. On top of that I have a lot of headaches and I always feel completely exhausted, as if I haven't slept at all for days. For the past couple of years I've also had severe muscle pain and fatigue (even lifting my hands to type this has my arms burning with a kind of lactic acid feeling).

Thanks!

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

As far as I can tell, the only ones of concern here are the antibodies - my TPO is too high, and thyroglobulin antibody is close to the top of the reference range. Does anyone know what that means when both kinds of antibody are present?

It means that you have autoimmune thyroiditis aka Hashimoto's which is where antibodies attack the thyroid and gradually destroy it. You may not have typical hypothyroid symptoms at the moment, and your TSH, FT4 and FT3 are good, but eventually

you will become hypothyroid.

Most doctors dismiss antibodies as being of no importance and know little or nothing about Hashi's and how it affects the patient, test results and symptoms. You need to read, learn, understand and help yourself where Hashi's is concerned.

You can help reduce the antibodies by adopting a strict gluten free diet which has helped many members here. Gluten contains gliadin (a protein) which is thought to trigger autoimmune attacks so eliminating gluten can help reduce these attacks. You don't need to be gluten sensitive or have Coeliac disease for a gluten free diet to help.

Supplementing with selenium l-selenomethionine 200mcg daily can also help reduce the antibodies, as can keeping TSH suppressed.

Gluten/thyroid connection: chriskresser.com/the-gluten...

stopthethyroidmadness.com/h...

stopthethyroidmadness.com/h...

hypothyroidmom.com/hashimot...

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_...

Hashi's and gut absorption problems tend to go hand in hand and can very often result in low nutrient levels or deficiencies. It would be a very good idea to test

Vit D

B12

Folate

Ferritin

Your muscle pains might be due to low Vit D, fatigue can be due to low ferritin.

[GordonS333 in reply to SeasideSusie]

Thanks for the response. I don't eat much gluten as it is, my ferritin levels are at the very top of the acceptable range (so, high, if anything), and I did also try suplementing with a lot of vit D, B12 and folate for almost a year (made no difference to symptons). Haven't tried selenium though, will give it a try.

I might not mention this to my GP though..... if I show her these results and tell her it means I have Hashimoto's, she would almost certainly think I'm even more crazy than she already does

[GordonS333 in reply to SeasideSusie]

I just looked at that stopthethyroidmadness website... they really need to redesign the layout... as it is, it feels quacky and even scammy! I don't mean to knock the content, but my god it *looks* hideous!

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to GordonS333]

Stopthethyroidmadness is nothing to do with ThyroidUK. It's just linked to for information about Hashi's. I don't use it at all. Maybe you could pass on to them how you think they could improve it.