Dr only testing Thyroid peroxidase antibody and T function...?

[Mew7]

Asked for Dr to test antibodies with repeat thyroid function (no diagnosis yet all results on my last post but thyroid T4 seems high, then a little low 2 weeks later, and tsh v low then normal) . He agreed, but I've picked up script and it only mentions the thyroid function (t3, T4, tsh as before I think) and testing Thyroid peroxidase.

My medicheck tests (2nd test not yet shared with him though as I wanted to get a picture over a month) showed the other one (thyroid globulin...?) was at just under 500 range <150.

Is there a reason why they wouldn't test this? I'll ask again if not (I constantly feel like they don't want to diagnose me with anything and are deliberately being difficult - maybe I'm being paranoid!)

[Greenwall]

Hi Mew7. Have you had antibodies tested at all? My GP has tried to ask for repeat antibodies tests, but lab refuses stating it's a waste of resources. Hence, I don't bother asking now, and go private.

[Mew7 in reply to Greenwall]

Not from the doctor.

3 weeks ago I had thyroid function tests and they asked for a repeat in 4 weeks time.

I didn't think they would, so I got the fill medicheck tests done, which is useful (except, somewhat as expected they are significantly different to the first).

I have another test next week, and emailed the Dr to ask for antibody tests,and I was surprised they said yes but only includes to TPO. I guess I have the other ones from medicheck, but I wondered if that is going up and down too....?

If I wanted just the antibodies checked, is that possible?

[Greenwall in reply to Mew7]

Yes, GPs only do the TPO. I suspect it's all about money. They seem to think that you don't need both.

Anti-bodies seem to fluctuate a little, but I can only base that on my own results over the last few years. Some say that gluten aggravates the anti-bodies, so I've tried going gluten free for the last 5 months, but it hasn't made a huge difference.

[Mew7 in reply to Greenwall]

Thanks.

Ive been Gluten free for years.

Since last October I cut out loads of other stuff, cows milk (although goats seem to be fine) and refined sugars, most carbs, cut our all fruit and sugar for months. Lots of symptoms have improved great. Sore throat improved, chills stopped slowly, menstrual bleeding all month stopped, head was clear. But still shattered sometimes. I've been reintroducing things, but symptoms come back again less severe but I'm sure they would build. Have no idea why, had no idea it was connected to thyroid at that point. Just know that some foods make it worse.

[greygoose]

If you've had just one over-range antibody test, then you have Hashi's, and that isn't going to go away no matter what the level of antibodies. They fluctuate, but it doesn't mean anything. Antibodies are not a measure of the severity of Hashi's.

[Mew7 in reply to greygoose]

Thank you. I'll probably not bother asking for more, and maybe just do the thyroid functions one again and give all the medichecks tests to Dr.

Thank you.

[greygoose in reply to Mew7]

You're welcome.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

NHS only tests TG antibodies if TPO antibodies are high and confirm Hashimoto's

Many people with only high TG antibodies struggle to get Hashimoto's diagnosed

An ultrasound scan of thyroid can help

High TG Antibodies links

healthline.com/health/antit...

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/303...

AIP diet or dairy and gluten free can help many

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/312...

[Mew7 in reply to SlowDragon]

Thank you for these.

If my Dr doesn't diagnose or refer me for anything. Do you know where I can get a scan privately? And approx cost? I assume I'd need a referral, but that should easier for a private test.

I've had a look through the links thanks, I'll have more time at the weekend to do some more research. Thank you.