Optimal serum levels for thyroid antibodies?

[LivingWithHT]

Hello all, I hope you are all doing and staying as well and safe as can be.

I have been looking over my most recent blood test results (a few months old) and then I did some reading on optimal serum levels (IU/mL) of thyroid antibodies and some sources stated they should be lower than what my results were and others said they’re only worth noting if the levels start to reach the upper ends of their limits.

I definitely have hypothyroidism, and I was officially diagnosed at some point, but I am just wondering what rules I can take as a guideline to monitoring antibodies. I am focusing on this now because, while I know I am a poor converter of T4 to T3 and I have been addressing this issue for years, I can’t help but wonder why some of my hypo symptoms are still coming on with a vengeance. I have increased my T4 intake and been supplementing with all the necessary vitamins/minerals and according to my last blood test results, the only things I was seriously deficient in was vitamin D and FT4.

Could anyone please provide any suggestions or information on the topic? Thanks.

[greygoose]

There are no optimal levels for antibodies. There is a range and above it, the level is considered to be positive for Hashi's. And below it, it's considered negative.

That's a bit simplistic, though, and if the antibodies level is near the top of the range, you are probably positive for Hashi's, because antibody levels fluctuate all the time. Which is probably why there are no optimal levels, just negative and positive.

But, it is unlikely that your symptoms are due to antibodies, whatever their levels. It's T3 that causes symptoms when it's too high or too low. Lots of Hashi's people have poor conversion, for some unknown reason, it's not just about nutrient levels. So, how have you been addressing your conversion problem? And, what is your FT3?

[LivingWithHT in reply to greygoose]

I’ve been taking Vitamin D3+K2, Vitamin B12 & Iron (in the form of the BetterYou Oral sprays.)

I’m also taking Zinc+Copper capsules, Folate (from methyl-folate) and sometimes I’ll take an extra soft gel of Vitamin D3 if I am feeling very fatigued. I was taking selenium daily but then stopped it recently as I felt it made no difference to my overall symptoms. A few times a week, I’ll eat a few Brazil nuts. I know it’s not guaranteed they’re rich in selenium but I am trying to avoid taking so many pills.

I recently started adding the BetterYou magnesium body oil spray and vitamin C effervescent tablets to my daily regimen.

As for thyroid meds, I am taking both T4 and T3. I was taking synethic T4 + T3 for the past few months but very recently started adding Metavive II (30mg Porcine thyroid powder per capsule) to see if it would help as I only ever did well on porcine NDT before the brands I took were reformulated or out of production.

My most recent FT3 levels were: 3.98 pg/ml Lab Range (2.04 - 4.40)

If it helps to know, my FT4 levels were: 1.12 ng/dl Lab Range (0.93 - 1.70)

[greygoose in reply to LivingWithHT]

Did you get your copper tested before starting it? I know zinc and copper need to be balanced, but hypos are often low in zinc and high in copper. Taking more copper is therefore not advisable.

Your FT3 looks as if it should be good. But, there are some people who need their FT3 well over-range to feel good. Depends how well you absorb it at a cellular level.

FT4 is possibly not relevant when taking T3, but could be that you're one of those that don't need T4 at all, and are, in fact, better off without it.

[LivingWithHT in reply to greygoose]

No, I did not test my copper levels and I only started taking copper very recently in small doses. It’s part of the Zinc capsule I take from Jarrow (15 mg zinc and 1 mg copper per capsule.) I take two capsules daily and it seems to be fine. I was taking Zinc 50mg tablets by Solgar before (as recommended by a doctor several years back) but it would always make me feel terribly nauseous if I didn’t eat right after taking it. Generally, zinc in tablet form never suited me and I found 50mg to be an unnecessarily high dose.

Ever since I started taking a smaller dose of zinc religiously my skin has improved and I am getting less breakouts and my usual Keratosis Pilaris has considerably decreased but my hair still falls out drastically and my nails are not that strong. Previously, I never stayed on zinc long enough to see my skin improve because I hated taking it.

I have tried taking T3 alone several times before but it never suited me, my energy levels would go down and my hair would start falling out more. I would either not lose any or gain more weight. It didn’t help with my excess fluid retention either and I’d be hungry almost all the time. I just felt even more out of balance without some T4.

[greygoose in reply to LivingWithHT]

Well, you obviously need the zinc, then. But, if I were you, I'd get the copper tested before taking more. Excess copper is not a very nice thing.

OK, so T3 only is not right for you. That's one thing you've eliminated. But, there are so many other combinations to try. Myself, the first thing I'd do is raise my T3 and see if that helps.

[LivingWithHT in reply to greygoose]

Unfortunately for me, I am currently out of T3 (and have been for a little while) as my previous usual supplier has gone AWOL and the order I placed with a new one is taking forever to reach me 😄.

I have been taking Cynomel by Grossman for years as it’s the only affordable generic brand that somewhat works for me. It’s been tough for many of its regular consumers to order more, even before the virus outbreak was officially announced.

Here’s hoping I actually receive it 🤞.

[greygoose in reply to LivingWithHT]

Here's hoping, indeed! But, you could try increasing the Metavive.

[LivingWithHT in reply to greygoose]

Will do, thanks for the help and info.

[greygoose in reply to LivingWithHT]

You're welcome.

[LivingWithHT]

Thanks for this.