Thyroid auto antibody blood tests??

[Joanneconnor]

EMERGENCY, going GP with son in an hour and don’t know what I’m asking for, what are the 2 tests that I need to be asking for to detect hypothyroid in the future.

What are they called?

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Joanne

Thyroid Peroxidase (TPO) and Thyroglobulin (TG) antibodies to test for autoimmune thyroid disease aka Hashimoto's which is where the antibodies attack the thyroid and gradually destroy it. Doctors don't use the term Hashimoto's.

NHS rarely tests TPO and almost never tests TG so don't hold your breath!

[Joanneconnor in reply to SeasideSusie]

My docs are fairly good they did my Tpo which came back negative, but never did the other one, my son has all the traits I have when I was young,and in a recent blood test had slightly high eosinophils count just the same as me.

Thanks and wish me luck x

[Hidden in reply to Joanneconnor]

Def TPO. TGab is good one to get, but it's just not available to many GPs unless thyroid cancer is suspected.

[Joanneconnor in reply to Hidden]

This is the one that will show elevated antibodies for Hashimoto?

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Joanneconnor]

Joanne

TPO alone can be raised and confirm Hashi's. However, TPO can be negative but TG positive and that would confirm Hashi's, so if TPO comes back negative it's best to get TG tested if Hashi's is suspected.

Apparently it's possible to have Hashi's without raised antibodies (just to confuse things).

[Joanneconnor in reply to SeasideSusie]

Yes my sister had both done too I think was negative like mine but her that was 2000

[Joanneconnor in reply to Joanneconnor]

My doc said he will refer me to a pediatritian, they will do antibody tests, he’s still bed wetting at 13.5years and delayed eruption in all teeth, slightly raised eosinophils like me on the bloods he did 2 years ago said tsh was ok 1.48. mean corpuscular volume, 78fl (78.2-101.0) serum creatinine 48umnol (53-88)

Said that eGFR had a marker against this but said it was because he was under 18 ?

[ShootingStars in reply to Joanneconnor]

eGFR had a marker against what? Can you please explain what this doctor thinks he's saying. What does being under 19 have to do with anything? If he's referring to Hashi's, infants can have Hashi's and they are nowhere near 18 years old!

[Joanneconnor in reply to ShootingStars]

It says on his results and I just looked up on google and it said the same

[Joanneconnor in reply to Joanneconnor]

Referring to eGFR

[ShootingStars in reply to Joanneconnor]

The renal failure test? eGFR is used to evaluate for renal failure. It is not commonly used to rule out any thyroid disease as first line test.

A negative eGFR could still be associated with TSH up to 3 or even more. A TSH even just creeping up to 2.0 indicates a trend for a slowing thyroid, and TSH anywhere above that, even more so. If TSH is over 3 and eGFR is negative, the thyroid is screaming that it is slowing despite this low eGFR. High thyroid antibodies along with that high TSH would mean Hashimoto's. Of course, the thyroid is not evaluated on TSH alone. The high the TSH, the lower both or one FT3 and FT4 will be. That's how they work.

The right tests for thyroid eval are TSH, FT3, FT4, taken all at the same time, as well as TPOab, TGab.

[greygoose in reply to Joanneconnor]

Her antibodies were 2000? That has got to be positive, don't care what the doctor said!

Bed wetting can be due to nutritional deficiencies - B vits, vit C, etc. My son wet the bed until he was six, when I'd finally had enough! Doctor put him on a mixture of vitamins - not a multi-vit - and within a week, he was dry.

If your son is hypo, he will more than likely have low nutrients, so get them to test vit D, vit B12, folate and ferritin.

[Joanneconnor in reply to greygoose]

Yes she is positive they only tested my tpo and said it was negative didn’t test TG so don’t know my levels? Never thought about the vitamins I will get them to test thanks

[ShootingStars in reply to Joanneconnor]

You need to test both. Testing one is inconclusive. If you don't test both and one of the other is negative, you'll be left in the dark as to your real status with your thyroid antibodies.

Hidden . TG is not related only to thyroid cancer (edit thanks to greygoose ). It is one of two thyroid antibodies affiliated with Hashimoto's and sometimes Graves. BOTH, not one, thyroid antibody must be tested to rule out Hashi's and Graves. If one is left out and the other is negative, then there is not conclusive exclusion of Hashi's or Graves.

[Joanneconnor in reply to ShootingStars]

Thanks😀

[ShootingStars in reply to Joanneconnor]

You're welcome Joanneconnor. How did the doctor's appointment go?

[Joanneconnor in reply to ShootingStars]

He’s going to refer him to a pediatritian and they will do antibody tests, he’s given me blood form to do FBC, GLRAND, TSH, UE

[greygoose in reply to ShootingStars]

mayomedicallaboratories.com...

[ShootingStars in reply to greygoose]

True! Thank you, GG! Correction: "does not mean you have cancer". TG is simply one of the two antibodies affiliated with Hashi's and Graves. Cancer is not required to have positive TG.

Not directed to GG but general thyroid cancer information:

People with Hashi's frequently have goiters. Goiters frequently have nodules. Sometimes these nodules contain cancer. Not all people with Hashi's have a goiter. Not all Hashi's goiters have cancer. Therefore, if a patient has positive TG, this does not mean they have cancer.

[greygoose in reply to ShootingStars]

Well, no. No-one suggested that it did. It's just that TgAB is sometimes tested as a cancer marker. I think most people understand that.

[ShootingStars in reply to greygoose]

Well, yes actually. Hypo123 did /\ From above. My first response was to him/her.

Hashimoto's always has one of two antibodies, not just one. Maybe only it is common in the UK to fail to recognize thorough testing of antibodies for Hashimoto's, overlooking the causes of Hashimoto's, how goiters occur, and how cancer can occur? If only TPO is test and is negative, it would be an unethical misdiagnosis to state that a patient does not have Hashimoto's

Hypo123in reply to Joanneconnor

8 hours ago

Def TPO. TGab is good one to get, but it's just not available to many GPs unless thyroid cancer is suspected.

[greygoose in reply to ShootingStars]

Well, yes, Hypo123 is right. That's how they do it in the UK.

I'm not saying it's a good system. I live in France, these days, and my TPO and TgAB were tested automatically. My TPOab were only just over-range but my TgAB were in the thousands. But, the UK has it's own way of doing things.

[ShootingStars in reply to greygoose]

Makes me sad that this is how people are treated. That would lead to so many misdiagnosis. This is so incredibly unkind, uncaring and not fair for British citizens, or if this happens in any other country! Hey (light bulb!) , maybe we can get Meghan Markle to help change the UK health system, particularly thyroid testing and treatment!

France?! How fun! In the country, village or city? I'm happy to hear that your doctors in France treated you fairly with the correct testing, greygoose ! You sound like me with the majorly high antibodies. Did you have success in lowing your TGab by much? I did for multiple years, but then they increased again my many thousands.

[greygoose in reply to ShootingStars]

It is sad, unkind, cruel and uncaring. And, for the most part, they really do not care.

And, it's not much different in France. OK, I got well tested and diagnosed, but then the endo didn't have the faintest idea what to do with me! When I wasn't leaping round her surgery like a spring lamb on 75 levo, she said it was my fault if I was ill, because of my negative attitude! And that comment was nothing to some I've heard from doctors over here! The treatment is just as appalling here as in the UK. And NDT is illegal!

I very much doubt Megan Markle would be interested! lol And, to be honest, I think the majority of UK citizens would prefer the NHS to the American system.

I was diagnosed a long time ago, and knew nothing about any of it. I didn't know it was possible to reduce antibodies or even that they were important. The endo never commented on them. And, I've never had them tested since. But, given that my thyroid has pretty much given up the ghost, now, I doubt there's many left.

There's not much fun where I live. It's a small, dying, industrial town, and there's nothing to do in the evenings except go to a restaurant or the cinema. Had more fun when we lived in the country. But, in other ways, I hated living in the country. I want to be in Paris, but it's too exhausting for someone who's not fit and well. But, when I did live there... Oh la la! lol

[ShootingStars in reply to greygoose]

Haaaa! Did you reach out an show you your hand or foot, just to rub in that neg attitude? (just joking, of course! even though she sounds like she would deserve that!)

[greygoose in reply to ShootingStars]

Unfortunately, I was too ill at the time, so she got away with it. But I didn't go to she her again! Other doctors that have made such comments, didn't get off so lightly! lol

[Hidden in reply to greygoose]

Good!!!!

[Joanneconnor in reply to greygoose]

Awww sounds like we’re all in the same boat!!! I find myself paying private initially for all my additional problems caused by the thyroid, just to be taken seriously then get put on the nhs but at least I’m in the system and not being ignored as much 😞

[greygoose in reply to Joanneconnor]

Well, the system is different in France. You chose your specialist, ring his secretary and make an appointment, and just turn up! You do not need your GP's permission! And, if you don't like that one, you can try another one, next time. We all pay up front - of course, some doctors are more expensive than others - but the Social Security will refund something like 75% of what you paid, and you have to have private insurance to make up the difference. So, who ever you see, you're in the system automatically.

[ShootingStars in reply to greygoose]

French health care sounds atrocious, too!

Well, just wait until Meghan gets Hashi's or Graves from all that stress. She does have some interesting and potentially impactful causes and charities that she is involved with, so you never know.

When the ghosts have given up and are gone, what's like compared to when they were still there? Are symptoms different? Treatment much different? Has anything changed?

Fun is what you make of it. Even the littlest and least glamorous tasks or activities can be enjoyable and fun. There's that saying about it being the little things. Big things can be fun but like you said, exhausting. Little pleasures and enjoyments can be easier to experience, more frequent and keep the zen flowing. There is always something to do. Just follow your heart's desire, interests and passions. The sky is the limit, greygoose , no matter how broad or narrow your horizon might be from one minute to another or day to day, the possibilities are endless.

[greygoose in reply to ShootingStars]

When the ghosts have given up and are gone, what's like compared to when they were still there? Are symptoms different? Treatment much different? Has anything changed?

I can't answer that question. Judging by symptoms, I've been hypo since I was about 8, and I was diagnosed at 55 (both the French and the British responsible for that!). How long I had the antibodies, I really don't know, but - again, judging by symptoms - I had a Hashi's flare in my teens, and a couple noticeable ones after the birth of each of my sons, the odd one here and there, and then the last one at 50. I haven't had one since. But, as I didn't even know I was having symptoms (told I was just thick, lazy and greedy - move more, eat less, etc.) I haven't noticed if there are any different ones. Symptoms come and go. As for treatment, it's only in the past four years that I've really come to grips with it. So, it's changed quite a lot in the past 17 years. I just don't know if anything's changed.

[ShootingStars in reply to greygoose]

Thank you GG. Do you have or did you have a goiter? Nodules?

I had one that was so small, it took many years and doctors to determine I had one. Funny, because for years I'd felt it on my own thyroid and thought is felt puffy in areas. I had episodes of that feeling where my lower throat felt tight, or I felt like I couldn't breathe very well. A good 20 years before I was diagnosed I was living in LA and experience my first tight throat experience. And there I thought it was due to all the LA traffic, stress and over population! Of course I later figured out what that feeling was. It's a goiter with nodules. FNA, benign. My miniature goiter went down with medication as my antibodies went down. This winter, that tight feeling showed up about a month before my antibodies increased in thousands again. Thyroid ultrasound showed a slightly increased thyroid, as well as nodules. I increased my meds the tight feeling and air restriction sensation subsided. I'll retest thyroid levels in another month. I'll wait a few months to recheck TPO.

Do you take T3 and 4? No gluten, soy, dairy, or does something else work for you?

[greygoose in reply to ShootingStars]

I've got nodules, yes, but never had a goitre. It might have given me a clue if I had!

But I had all sorts of throat symptoms : difficulty swallowing, coughing, losing my voice, sore throat, lower, croaky voice, etc. Went to an ENT who put a tube up my nose and down my throat and told me there was nothing wrong with my throat! Strange they don't know there's a thyroid next door, and if it gets a bit swollen, it can cause problems with the throat! Specialisation gone mad!

[Joanneconnor]

Greygoose I always get good advice off you, I need to buy vitamins and they need to be the right strengths and contain the correct ingredients could you possibly PM me a list if it’s not too much trouble when you have a minute please, don’t worry if you can’t 🙂

[greygoose in reply to Joanneconnor]

Joanne, I'm no that well up on vitamins. I think it would be better if you posted a question on that subject, giving the results of your nutrient tests, so that more people, who know about these things, can see it and can reply.

[Andyb1205]

I had self paid like $50 to get my TGab tested. Indeed doctors think it’s only relevant for thyroid cancer not Hashimotos, though the guidelines in Japan indicate that elevated TPOab and/or TGab are found in Hashimotos.

Need to get my brother’s TGab checked, I might just write it in myself on the lab one day and write self pay (results available online here). Good to you figuring it all out, the main weakness of computerized medicine today is that a lot of stuff especially complex problems like the thyroid are often missed.