Antibodies gone?

[Ladyviv]

Hi, first post. I received my test results back today and this is them. I was diagnosed with Hashimoto’s by endo back in 2015, my antibodies were past 500 and tpo was 15 back then. By the looks of it they have disappeared. I haven’t changed my diet and I do eat gluten as I did a test that said I wasn’t one of those who was negatively affected by gluten. I did take Astaxanthin supplements for the past two and half years, sometimes NAC as well. What could be the reason for them to disappear, could it be the Astaxanthin worked and helped with inflammation? Ty for any reply’s.

[MaisieGray]

I think of far greater interest is the FT4 level. What thyroid hormones are you taking; and do any of your supplements contain Biotin - known to interfere with some assay methods and skew thyroid results.

[Ladyviv in reply to MaisieGray]

Hi, I’m on 40mcg of T3 only as I can’t convert t4 into tT3. I did the blue horizon gene test also, it stated I have MTHFR, also the DIO2 faulty gene. Ty.

[greygoose]

Antibodies do fluctuate. It doesn't mean anything.

[Ladyviv in reply to greygoose]

So it may come back ? I have been supplementing for 3 years trying to get inflammation down. And yes I was taking a B complex and have just noticed it contains biotin. Ty for replying.

[greygoose in reply to Ladyviv]

I should think it's bound to come back. TPO/Tg antibodies come along after an immune system attack on your thyroid. They mop up the traces of TPO and Tg that leaked into the blood during the attack.

[Ladyviv in reply to greygoose]

Ah,! Think I’d rather go with the option of a dead thyroid, at least I wouldn’t have to continue with Hashi flares. Thanks.

[greygoose in reply to Ladyviv]

A dead thyroid is not an option, it's an inevitability. If you have Hashi's, eventually, your thyroid will be killed off. And, reducing antibodies doesn't mean that you've got rid of the Hashi's. The antibodies are not the disease. Sorry to have to tell you that.

[Hidden in reply to greygoose]

Hi Grey goose

What other areas can Hashis attack if you no longer have your thyroid? Curious

[greygoose in reply to Hidden]

It doesn't attack any other areas that I know of.

[anonymous45]

I'm going to guess that you take T3 and not T4, since your Free Thyroxine / fT4 is extremely low, but your fT3 is in range. Unless you do not tolerate T4 (rare), a combination of T3 and T4 is generally accepted to be better than T3 alone, since even in low-converters, the reservoir of T4 can help stabilise T3 levels and thus get a more reliable and consistent TSH output from the pituitary. However, if you do only take T3 and are healthy and happy - then you should continue with your current medication. Treating the symptoms is just as important as blood test results in confirmed hypothyroidism.

Reduction of antibodies can be brought about by adequate treatment with thyroid hormones. Once the TSH is lowered to a reasonable level, the thyroid gland stops trying to grow/regenerate to produce T4 and T3. This often results in a reduction of antibodies. It's very likely that you still have TPO antibodies but they are suppressed to a level not detectable by the lab's equipment. Whereas your TG antibodies are low but just detectable.

Another, less likely, possibility is you experienced transient autoimmunity (a temporary dysfunction of B cells, which can be likened to the memory of the immune system). Spontaneous remission is also possible in almost all diseases, but again is very rare.

Lastly, it's possible that your thyroid gland tissues have been destroyed to the point where TPO and TG are not present in high levels in the blood; resulting in lowered immune activation by the antigens on these proteins. The low level of fT4 makes this more likely, since that low a level is suggestive of almost total thyroid failure.

[Ladyviv in reply to anonymous45]

Thank you and yes I’m on T3 only as can’t convert. I was going to ask if the thyroid may be totally destroyed and that could be the reason also. I wonder if it’s worth asking to see endocrinologist for scan, even though I haven’t seen hide nor hair of him for 3 years. But thank you for your explanation.

[anonymous45 in reply to Ladyviv]

Since you have confirmed Hashimotos, I wouldn't worry about the antibodies. If present they will slowly destroy the thyroid and result in increased requirement for oral thyroid hormones until almost all circulating thyroid hormone is obtained exogenously. If they're gone, temporarily or permanently, the most likely outcome is that your dose of T3 won't need to be increased. This doesn't however alter the treatment plan, since TSH/fT3 (in your case) are what is monitored to help determine objective treatment success. Once diagnosis is confirmed, antibodies are of little use to treatment.

Whilst it can be frustrating not knowing the answer, in this case the answer is likely irrelevant to your treatment and wellbeing. Whether by end stage thyroid failure, or another mechanism, your antibodies have reduced to normal levels and that's not a bad thing.

[Ladyviv in reply to anonymous45]

I suppose time will tell, I can only thank you again for answering and for a great explanation.