Thyroid receptor antibodies

[Inafunk63]

Hi again everyone!

Thank God I’ve been feeling better the last few weeks. It’s been a struggle but every day, since going med free I’ve felt a tiny bit better. Still struggling with a few things but I’m hoping to continue feeling better. I stopped the medication completely on december 11th. I’m just focusing on diet and healthy lifestyle along with supplementing. My endo seems ever so slightly relucatantly supportive. Like he says I hope it works out for you and we will monitor you but I can see he’s internally shaking his head at me like I’m some uneducated person that doesn’t know what I’m doing. But anyways...currently my levels are still normal...on the higher side of normal. I did get the results myself but don’t have them on hand at the moment. Then last week I got a letter in the mail which would have been the letter sent to my go that stated although my levels are normal while unmedicated my thyroid receptor antibodies are significantly positive which makes relapse more likely than not. I imagine these are the Trab antibodies I’ve heard about?? I’m confused now though because I was told I tested positive for Graves antibodies but are the grave antibodies not the Tsi antibodies? Can someone shed some light on what it generally means when you have positive trab?? Thanks!!

[greygoose]

It's the other antibody test for Grave's. But, you cannot just imagine that they are TRAB, you need to find out for sure. Never take anything for granted with endos, they don't always know what they're doing. Have you had the TSI tested?

[Inafunk63 in reply to greygoose]

He said it was thyroid receptor antibodies that I was tested for (I assumed that’s what Trab stood for....I didn’t mean i assumed I was tested, I just assumed that was the abbreviation for it) his exact words were “thyroid receptor antibodies still significantly positive making relapse more likely than not”

I haven’t been tested for any other antibodies just thyroid receptor antibodies. Is there more than one thyroid receptor antibody? I’m familiar with TPO AND TSI. Do they fall under the category of thyroid receptor antibody or are thyroid receptor antibodies a specific antibody?

[Inafunk63 in reply to Inafunk63]

My thing is he seems like he’s really hoping for a relapse so he can say medication didn’t agree with me and send me to have rai or surgery. I won’t have either. It’s so frustrating

[greygoose in reply to Inafunk63]

Yes, he probably is hoping for that. Makes his job easier! Often makes life for the patient more difficult! You should make your intentions plain to him, he obviously needs it spelt out before he understands!

[greygoose in reply to Inafunk63]

Ah, ok, I see! Yes, that is TRAB. So, if they're positive, you do have Grave's.

Thyroid Receptor Antibodies (TRAB) are a specific antibody that is positive in Grave's. TSI is also a test for Grave's. TPO and Tg antibodies usually mean you have Hashi's, but can also be slightly raised with Grave's.

[Inafunk63 in reply to greygoose]

Ohh right ok! That makes sense now. Thanks!! I can’t understand how having your thyroid removed solves anything though, because thyroid in or out, you still have Graves ☹️

[Heloise in reply to Inafunk63]

The attacks will just move on to whatever is convenient as long as you still have the trigger, namely gluten but also viruses and other infections. If you can look into other health aspects like hormones and food sensitivities of which you are unaware it could help.

[greygoose in reply to Inafunk63]

Yes, you still have Grave's, and it might affect your eyes, but I don't think it actually attacks anything else. But, you would no-longer be hyper. Whether being hypos is better, is a moot point - especially as doctors don't know how to adequately treat people after having it out. But, only you can decide. Don't let doctors bully you into doing something you don't want to do. They like people to get rid of the thyroid because they think it's easier for them, not the patient!

[HIFL]

Your doctor is correct. If your TRab are still high, then you are still at risk of relapsing. Drugs like carbimazole are usually taken over a couple of years or more, because that's how long it takes to bring the antibodies down. Of course, then the patient suffers from hypothyroidism, but some doctors add levo to the antithyroid meds to help. Some helpful info about Graves' here: tiredthyroid.com/graves.html