Blood test result " weakly positive antibodies"

[kittyelen]

T4 (12.0 - 22.0) 22.2 ..Previously 24.5

T3 (3.1 - 6.8) 7.2 Previously 7.8

TSH <0.05 (The same)

TPO Negative

TrAB 1.78 (<1.74)

I am just confused on the term "weakly positive" TPO is negative, and the letter says if not positive I'd be sent for an ultrasound. But does "weakly positive" for TSH receptor antibodies mean everything is ok? It says it suggests an underlying graves disease.

I am now going down to 15mg Carbimazole and then blood test in 4 weeks from this change of dosage.

Any thoughts on what this term weakly positive means? It is so close to the range

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Request vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 tested as per guidelines

[kittyelen in reply to SlowDragon]

Umm i have id have to have this private, which im not doin asap someone advised me to post once id had antibodies tested which I have

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to kittyelen]

Only TPO antibodies, looking at previous post?

[kittyelen in reply to SlowDragon]

And the TrAB isnt that antibodies?

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to kittyelen]

NHS only tests TG antibodies if TPO antibodies are high

Significant minority of patients only have high TG antibodies

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK in reply to SlowDragon]

But there is a result for Thyrotropin receptor antibodies!

Described as "weakly positive".

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to helvella]

Yes I realised that

[pennyannie]

Hey there again :

In short I do not know what " weakly positive " means so presume medical language for not positive enough and an ultrasound is the next step.

As you say - it's differential is so small - maybe they allow a margin of error :

Antibodies wax and wane so maybe they will take a longer term view - watch and wait ?

Glad your reducing the AT drug as you are almost in range and you really don't want to go too far down these ranges, as then hypothyroid symptoms start creeping in.

It's a very fine line getting the AT drug right for the patient, so keep a list of symptoms and if you start feeling hypo symptoms and can't access the medical team, maybe reduce your dose a little yourself and see if it helps you.

Low vitamins and minerals will not support you well during this period and being both hyper and hypo effects your metabolism and this in turn has a knock on effect and you may not be getting your nutrients from your food despite eating well and healthily.

Ferritin, folate, B12 and vitamin D do need to be tested and maintained at optimal levels, and not " just in a range " somewhere and I'm sorry you have found little support to action these through the appropriate medical channel.

[ling]

The above range TRAb means u have Graves.

Negative TPO is good ie no Hashimoto's.

FT4 FT3 still high.

So continuing treatment with carbimazole is correct.

HOWEVER, U ARE COMING INTO RANGE, SO TESTING SHOULD BE MORE FREQUENT SO U CAN CATCH THE POINT WHEN U COME INTO RANGE OR JUST AS U TIP BELOW RANGE, U CAN THEN QUICKLY TITRATE YOUR CARBIMAZOLE DOWN.

Do not remain in hypo state for too long, it has other effects on your health.

Don't be too confused by the terminology. TRAb 1.78 is just above range of 1.74, hence "weakly positive". No rocket science here.

Best wishes.

[kittyelen in reply to ling]

Thank u yes that makes sense. I will make sure i book the blood test on time as with covid there can be a wait. I am hoping this means they would lower the dose again in 4 weeks

[ling in reply to kittyelen]

🤞