Thyroid Antibodies

[Alanna012]

Is it usual to have both elevated Thyroid peroxidase antibodies (TPO) as well as elevated thyroglobulin antibodies (TGab) in order for hashimotos to be diagnosed? In other words must BOTH be elevated at the same time?

Whenever I test I have high TPO but TGab always well within range (on the low side) never elevated.

Doctor tested for thyrogloblin antibodies only, which came back within range I think it was 12 and the range goes up to 115 or something. Then declared that I only have a sluggish Thyroid and my eye problems which my opticians and a private ophthalmologist have both said are thyroid related couldn't be a cause, because I don't have hashimotos so their isn't any autoimmune activity which we'd expect to cause eye problems.

Now, I have the results from private tests showing high well above range TPO antibodies, which I had added to my notes, but he dismissed these saying people can have TPO and not have hashimotos?

I've had this same exact thing said to me as a reason to refuse me being referred to an endo by a previous doctor last year. My eyes are constantly inflamed. I'm going to see a private endo but would like to not have to shell out a 2nd time for a private Ophthalmologist as well. Can anyone explain what the dr means?

[SlowDragon Administrator]

It's most common to have high TPO and high TG antibodies

Then many people only have raised TPO antibodies..

In these cases NHS does/should recognise these as Hashimoto's. Here in UK they never call it Hashimoto's, just autoimmune thyroid disease

Many patients struggle to get Hashimoto's diagnosed if they only have high TG antibodies. Currently NHS refuses to test TG antibodies if TPO antibodies are negative. If tested privately, they would still not diagnose on only high TG antibodies

Link about antibodies and Hashimoto's

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_...

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_...

List of hypothyroid symptoms

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_...

What are your most recent Thyroid and vitamin results

For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4 and FT3 plus both TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested. Also EXTREMELY important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12

Low vitamin levels are extremely common, especially as you have autoimmune thyroid disease (Hashimoto's) diagnosed by raised Thyroid antibodies

Ask GP to test vitamin levels

Recommended on here that all thyroid blood tests should ideally be done as early as possible in morning and before eating or drinking anything other than water .

Last dose of Levothyroxine 24 hours prior to blood test. (taking delayed dose immediately after blood draw).

This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip, best not mentioned to GP or phlebotomist)

[Alanna012 in reply to SlowDragon]

Thanks. I was going to get myself tested again this month but decided I've had enough trying to deal with everything on my own and will see an endo privately.

So high TPO is autoimmune thyroiditis aka Hashimotos (why not just call it hashimotos??) when raised.

And you can still have Hashis even if only TPO and not TG antibodies raised. I see.

But the doctor seems to be saying both must be raised or they'll ignore it a factor in my other symptoms?. They seem to think poor thyroid function is only linked to classic symptoms of being cold etc and cannot be responsible for infammation, gut problems, eye issues etc. well that's the impression I keep getting.

I supplement with vitamin D, B complex, Folate, Iron, Magnesium, Selenium and Zinc and that's not including fish oils, digestive enzymes, tumeric, Aloe vera and peppermint capsules for my stomach. I can barely keep up with it all!

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Alanna012]

If you read posts on here ....you will see patients experience of Hashimoto's is frequently just like yours

Most conventional endocrinologists/Gp's don't seem to understand autoimmune diseases....and don't seem interested it learning more either

Vast majority of primary hypothyroidism in developed countries is due to Hashimoto's

Technically if you don't have goitre it's Ord's Thyroiditis (but rest of world calls all variations Hashimoto's)

[Assiya in reply to SlowDragon]

I have hashimoto s My antibodies were 390 and above 36 is high... what I understood is that we should change lifestyle..food intake light exercise and iodine lugol is best. (Some say just iodine)

We must find out by a orthomoleculair doctor where the problems come from (oestrogen liver adrenals or am I missing something Dragon?)

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Assiya]

Iodine in NOT recommended for anyone with Hashimoto's

drknews.com/iodine-and-hash...

thyroidpharmacist.com/artic...

Strictly gluten free diet helps many, many Hashimoto's patients

Often lactose free too

[Alanna012 in reply to SlowDragon]

I was told years ago to take a daily supplement of Iodine as a little would help. This was a doctor I went to when i was first diagnosed. I objected but he said a bit helps support. However i have always found that after a couple of days I feel worse.

[Alanna012 in reply to Assiya]

What is an orthomoleculair doctor? I have Lugols but have only used it once.

[Assiya in reply to Alanna012]

About iodine really hear different stories. In the links above given two exemples and yourself getting worse, though others do not and say it is beneficial. Even one dr here in Holland who prescribes iodine. Orthomoleculair it is a doctor or a student who looks to the whole picture the source (checks more minerals etc and looking for causes) I have not yet seen one myself.