Would antibodis contained within a nodule show ... - Thyroid UK

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Would antibodis contained within a nodule show up in a blood test drawn from the arm ?

Fiaxseed profile image
12 Replies

We cant detect cancer cells within a nodule without FNA. Is it possible therefore that undected antibodies contained and active within a nodule would present problems in thyroid response but not actually a problem with the thyroid itself.?

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Fiaxseed profile image
Fiaxseed
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12 Replies
greygoose profile image
greygoose

What makes you think there are antibodies in your nodule? I've never heard of that, before. They're usually in the blood. And, even if they were in a nodules, in what way would they be active?

Fiaxseed profile image
Fiaxseed in reply to greygoose

In the same way as they would in a the gland itself leaking hormones into the bloodstream. If antibodies in nodules dont show up in the blood from the arm you would'nt know you had them. You'd probably be diagnosed with hyperthyroidism instead.

diogenes profile image
diogenesRemembering

Antibodies are produced from B cells in the blood. They therefore enter organs from the blood supply to attack the organ tissue. They don't arise spontaneously within the tissue. Accordingly they won't be held uniquely within say a nodule (if that nodule is a result of antibody attack) because they will constantly be made in the blood from the B cells and they will therefore be detectable by a blood test as the blood circulates freely with them in it..

Fiaxseed profile image
Fiaxseed in reply to diogenes

That makes sense. But what if they were attacking the nodule and not gland.

diogenes profile image
diogenesRemembering in reply to Fiaxseed

If the nodule was superfluous to the working gland, the antibodies would simply shrivel it up without the rest of the gland being affected. If it was of the same stuff, then gland and nodule would be attacked.

Fiaxseed profile image
Fiaxseed in reply to diogenes

Hey there. That tells me you can have antibodies in nodules without being in thyroid gland itself. Then thyroid would read it as hyper to begin with and attempt to correct it. At that point you'd be diagnosed as thyrotoxicosis if you have goiter. When in fact the thyroid is behaving exactly as it should in response to high thyroid hormones leaking out of the nodule. Perhaps that what they mean by automous. Who knows. I sure dont. Just wondered if it could be possible that being given antithyroid med would actually be damaging the gland.

diogenes profile image
diogenesRemembering in reply to Fiaxseed

No, the antibodies will be in both gland and thyroid in any situation. It's whether they react with the tissue of not that counts. We have all sorts of antibodies all over our system, keeping watch to repel foreign invaders. Normally they have nothing to do with our tissues regarding attacking them, but sometimes for some reason they happen o be able to attack.

diogenes profile image
diogenesRemembering in reply to Fiaxseed

I meant nodule and gland, not thyroid and gland in my post.

Fiaxseed profile image
Fiaxseed in reply to diogenes

Ok. Call me crazy call me mad lock me up i must be bab but i dont get that.

Alley27 profile image
Alley27

Hi flaxseed, my hashimoto's was diagnosed via needle aspiration. The fluid they pulled out was full of antibodies. X

Fiaxseed profile image
Fiaxseed in reply to Alley27

Thank you Alley 27 that makes sense. X

ling profile image
ling in reply to Alley27

By fluid you mean blood?

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