Worried

[Kacee]

Latest blood test result showed TSH and T4 were in range, but antibodies have gotten higher.

Thyroglobulin Antibody - 1136 (max in range is 115)

Thyroid Peroxidase Antibodies - 175 (max in range is 34)

GP wants to increase T4 to 175 even though the last time it resulted in heart palpitations,night sweats and feeling generally even worse. Received letter from Endo who sympathised but declared that T3 is not an option and suggested to go private. Well, if it were affordable......really worried that if anti-bodies increase there is a a real risk of ending up in a coma and, given the current thinking about treatment, it will be curtains!

Don't understand how TSH, T3 and T4 can be normal and anti-bodies increased.Anyone experienced the same problem?

[greygoose]

High antibodies will not put you in a coma. I'll say that straight off to stop you worrying. The high antibodies just mean that you have Autoimmune thyroiditis - aka Hashi's. And they are independent of FT4 and FT3 levels.

Antibodies fluctuate all the time, and are highest just after an immune attach on your thyroid, when they come in to clear up the mess. Has nobody told you about Hashi's?

There is no treatment for Hashi's, but there are things you can do to help. You could try a 100% gluten-free diet, which could help reducing antibodies, and generally make you feel better. You could also try taking selenium, which might reduce antibodies and help with conversion.

The best thing to help with Hashi's is to keep your TSH suppressed. But, I know that's difficult because it scares doctors witless!

But, if your TSH is in-range, it might be too high for you. Do you have the exact numbers and ranges for the TSH and FT4?

[Kacee in reply to greygoose]

Thank you; was really worried!! Know about Hashimoto's from online sources only as GP doesn't have a lot of knowledge except to say that the thyroid is under attack and I have to learn to live with the symptoms and that T4 is the one and only treatment which was echoed by the Endocrinologist. Have been on strict gluten free diet for almost 8 years. Also keep gaining weight despite not feeling very hungry and have to force myself to eat at least twice a day,mainly vegetable based dishes and fruit.Have developed a craving for fresh orange juice though.

TSH 2.28

Free Thyroxine 15.2

Total T4 71.9

Free T3 3.9

Thank you again

Kacee

[greygoose in reply to Kacee]

Really need the ranges for those results. But, even so, the TSH is saying you're under-medicated. And, that's why you can't lose weight.

I wonder are you getting enough calories. If not, it will be affecting your conversion and making you more hypo. Also, if you don't eat meat, you should be careful about your vit B12 and iron/ferritin. Have you had them tested?

[Kacee in reply to greygoose]

Hi

I do eat chicken occasionally and try to get some oily fish into me a couple of times a week; guess you are right, I probably do not eat enough but when you are really not hungry.....

Have not B12/ iron/ferritin checked and will try Selenium, thank you for the tip.

The ranges for TSH 0.27 - 4.20 ( mine 2.28)

Free Thyroxine 12.00 - 22.00 ( mine 15.4)

Total Thyroxine (T4) 59.00 - 154.00 ( mine 71.9)

Free T3 3.10 - 6.80 ( mine 3.9)

Thyroglobulin Antibody 0.00 - 115.00 ( mine 1136.000)

Thyroid Peroxidase Antibodies 0.00 -34.00 (mine 175)

Apart from the Antibodies everything is within 'normal range'

Kacee

[greygoose in reply to Kacee]

In range, yes, but your FT3 is much, much too low. most people need it up the top of the range to feel well. And that's why you can't lose weight.

Your FT4 is low, too, so you are under-medicated, and need an increase in dose. And that's probably why you have no appetite, too.

It does sound as if you have low stomach acid, which will reduce your appetite because the food stays in the stomach longer. Makes you feel bloated and causes acid reflux as the undigested food ferments. This happens frequently with hypothyroidism, and causes low nutrients, which in turn means that your body cannot use thyroid hormone properly. So, it's a vicious circle. Try the 'burp' test, at the end of this article :

scdlifestyle.com/2012/03/3-...

[Fox78 in reply to Kacee]

Hi Kacee

From my experience I had night sweats and heartpalpitations when I was under medicated it can also be a hypo symptom too or perimenopause. .depending on your age.. also some days not feeling very hungry but cannot loose weight so I know how you feel

Your tsh is still quite high in relation what most people on here say it needs to be below 1 to be optimal so maybe try the higher dose and see how you feel

Mine was 1.89 and I still felt rubbish so they increased mine and I feel better but still not there yet

Katy x

[Kacee in reply to Fox78]

Hi Katy

Thank you; it is good to know that one is not alone. It is rather difficult to force yourself to eat when you are not hungry,most days it feels as if I have indigestion and stomach feels full - eating is not tempting. I also developed acne on face and body and pompholyx eczema on hands and feet. I am 31and have battling with this for a number of years.

Glad you are seeing some improvement; it gives hope.

Kacee x