Where have my ABs gone?

[praxis]

Big shock today and I need help. Please excuse the long posting. 23 years ago I was diagnosed with Hyperthyroidism - after 3 years of treatment my thyroid levels were normal. Then I started to feel very unwell and put on 14 kilos in 18 months and I was diagnosed with Hypothyroidism and, after analysis of the relevant anti-bodies, with Hashimotos. After 9 more years I had exemption from paying for many different types of analysis (all costly here) and of course for Thyroxin (it was Eutirox 75) , It is now time for me to renew my exemptions (I live in Italy) so I had an apptment with the local Endocrinologist controlling exemptions. He told me that the rules had now changed, that it was now understood that Hashimotos was curable and the exemptions only given for high levels of antibodies or patients who had had the thyroid gland removed. Antibodies to be checked every 2 years for exemptions to be continued. Was speechless (actually not) and went to do the relevant analysis - just of antibodies (TSH FT4 +FT3 no longer needed or ultra-sound thyroid gland checks). This was the first time in 10 years I had checked my antibodies - each year before they had been well over the values of reference but this time NOT. Also the values for reference had changed significantly - much higher than before. AB anti Tireoperossidasi TPO value ref in past - 0-60 now 0-34 AB anti Tireoglobulin value ref in past - 0-60 now 0-115 My values now were - AB TPO - less than 9, AB TGlobulin 96.9.

So can it possibly be true that my Hashi is cured? Given that for the last 2 and a half years I have felt v. ill indeed with significant weight loss then weight gain insommnia etc etc I find it hard to believe. Should I get another independant analysis done. Please help I am starting to feel very frightened.

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

So can it possibly be true that my Hashi is cured?

Antibodies fluctuate, can be high at one test, low at another. Looks like you've tested when they're lower, that's all.

Your new ranges are typical of UK ranges, i.e. TPO <34 and Tg <115.

As far as I am aware, the only type of autoimmune thyroid disease that may be transient is post-partum thyroiditis.

[praxis in reply to SeasideSusie]

Thank you - I am reassured and will fight this rediculous decision.

[tattybogle]

This seems a very unfair new system. The damage already done to the thyroid by hashimoto;s disease doesn't get better even if the antibodies have lowered. So if you need to take thyroxine , you still need it whatever your antibody levels are.

Possibly ? low levels of antibodies might indicate that the thyroid is no longer being attacked , or at least , not being attacked at the moment. But i don't see how that means it's 'cured' , since the gland has been damaged already.

It is well known that levels of antibodies fluctuate.

The two antibodies do signify different things.

TPOab are always associated with thyroid problems, but TGab are apparently found in about 10% of healthy euthyroid people. and i think that raised TGab can also be associated with other problems not just thyroid.

I have also read that not everyone with hashimoto;s has raised TPOab anyway, and ( i think ?)the alternative test in this case is a scan of the thyroid gland where the distinctive pattern of hashimoto's can be seen.

[praxis in reply to tattybogle]

Thank you for your reply - I had my last scan nearly 5 years ago which indeed showed a lot of damage. I am booking another scan and getting ready to fight this decision.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

We still have Hashimoto’s, even if antibodies often eventually become negative

The antibodies are the Vacuum cleaners, cleaning up after attack.

Ultrasound scan of thyroid should confirm damage

20% of Hashimoto's patients never have raised antibodies

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

Paul Robson on atrophied thyroid - especially if no TPO antibodies

paulrobinsonthyroid.com/cou...

Seems utterly ludicrous new system

Let us know how you get on

[NWA6]

Well well well! Just when I thought I’d pretty much heard every.single.stupid.comment a so called professional endo/gp/nurse can say you go and put up this post!

Holy f@ck balls, I mean, I just can’t even! I think I’m lost for words. Endos who don’t know how antibodies work??

I think I’ll have to just comment properly tomorrow when I reflect on what utter utter w@@kers those ‘in charge’ are 😬