Hi i've had very high tpo antibodies since may 2018. I am being monitored by my gp every 6 months to check my levels. As i am at risk of developing autoimmune thyroid disease. I just wondered if it would be worthwhile having an ultrasound on my thyoid to check if there's damange being done or does the presence of the antibodies mean damage is already being done?
Sorry i hope that makes sense.
Macey The presence of the antibodies means that you already have autoimmune thyroid disease. If you have no other symptoms then your thyroid is still able to produce enough hormones for you to feel well.As your immune system attacks your thyroid it will be less able to maintain its output. however this is very individual and you cannot put a time on it.
Thanks for the reply. I've had various symptoms over the years. Which i thought were thyroid related. I thought it might be helpful as i read that not everybody with antibodies develops hypothyroidism. So i thought it might show damage of some sort.
Well, that's what doctors like to tell you. But, if you live long enough, it's pretty certain that eventually - might take years and years - you will develop hypothyroidism. But, given how much doctors hate diagnosing and treating hypo, that's just one of their little tricks to try and wriggle out of it. 
Thanks for the reply. I guess i was just curious to see what if any damage has been done. And to show the dr lol
Well, depends how long you've had Hashi's, how much damage has been done and how visible it is. But, I could it would make any difference to your doctors way of thinking. He probably wouldn't even know what he was looking at! lol I had an ultrasound, a long time ago, and the endo completely ignored the results. Not sure she even looked at them.
I'm not sure how long. My gp just randomly tested them in may 2018 and they were >1000 they could have been raised for a while but i wouldn't know.
No, I don't think we can ever know for sure exactly how long we've had it - unless is starts after pregnancy, and then we have a pretty good idea, provided we get the corrects tests done. 
It's frustrating that gps don't acknowledge the antibodies as confirming autoimmune thyroid disease. Mine just insists i will develop it in future 🙄
As I said, they put off diagnosis and treatment for as long as they possibly can in the hope that it might become someone else's problem, and let them off the hook! It makes them feel completely out of their depth.
Yes i gather that from so many posts on here. I have my next test due soon so will post results when i get then.
Make sure you test as early as possible in morning before eating or drinking anything other than water
Stop any supplements that contain biotin a week before all blood tests
I will do thanks. My last 2 tests were at 8.15am. Is that fine? Thought I read on here closer to 9am is better.
Between 8-9am fine
Make sure to be physically very active the week before test
OK. I will do. Does that affect results?
Could do
Thanks for the tip. Do you not think an ultrasound would be helpful since i already have the high antibodies?
Possibly, cost is approx £150 privately.
GP likely reluctant to organise ….but no harm in asking
I had a Google search and couldn't find any nearby. I'm near Edinburgh.
How about this spirehealthcare.com/spire-e...
Thank you. I think i looked at that but didn't think it included the thyoid
I think you’ll find that it mostly says before 9 am is best. Consistency is key, especially when taking thyroid hormones 😊
Hi thanks for the reply. I will have my next test then same time as the last ones then for consistency. I am not on thyroid hormones. The reason my gp is monitoring my levels every 6 months is due to high antibodies they say i am at risk of developing autoimmune thyroid disease in future.
Hi Macey2009
I managed to get an ultrasound about a year after I became very unwell, despite sharing my concern (that my thyroid was struggling), with my GP. The GP was unable to even refer me for a thyroid blood test, as new policy said twelve monthly.
I have been medicated for hypothyroidism for 35 years; for years we were able to have a blood test if our changing symptoms warranted and|or six monthly. So, it was harsh to have no choice other than continue to suffer the policy (which I suspect were guidelines).
I continued to suffer. I got very unwell. Suffice to say, I saw various medics, through urgent referrals and was eventually, diagnosed with sjogrens syndrome|?lupus, ctd, (autoimmune disease).
During a consultation with my rheumatologist, I continued to explore the possibility my thyroid was struggling. I had been advised by my dermatologist (treating a full body rash), that, in her opinion, I was currently over prescribed levothyroxine.
Fortunately, my rheumatologist was receptive to my own, and dermatologist, interpretation of my symptoms, as well as his managing from the rheumatologist perspective. Thus, he asked for my thyroid to be included in a ultrasound of my glands for sjogrens.
The radiographer, was so sure of her findings and with astonishment, she proclaimed straight away that she would not have guessed I was sent as a sjogrens patient. She was pleased with my glands (so was I!), telling me, as for your thyroid - it's non existent.. you just have a fibrous mass where your thyroid should be! Bingo! No wonder I was having so many symptoms and finding swallowing so difficult..
I believe most members here will tell you, that's not an unusual finding for a person with hypothyroidism. That it won't make much if any, difference to GP or their treatment of thyroid. The members are right.
However, the ultrasound showing, and diagnosing AITD (autoimmune thyroid disease), meant a lot to me. At last, it helped me make sense of why I had felt so ill. I immediately booked an appointment with a private Dr specialising (and previously diagnosed hypothyroidism), in thyroid management. I began more suitable treatment.
Previously, I knew nothing of AITD. For 35 years I had been treated for hypothyroidism. Actually, GP wrote Myxodeama on a piece of paper and passed it to me at diagnosis, telling me I needed medication every day for life. Horrified I asked what|why and was told it was hypothyroidism (not working well), and meds easily replace so all be ok...
I'm many ways, my thyroid crises was an undisguised blessing. I started realising I had to learn about and help my thyroid health. I found Health Unlocked - a blessing to me! I changed diet going gluten free, bought supplements and realised I wasn't alone, and lovely members here, helped me every step to improvement in my thyroid health.
Wishing you well. An ultrasound may or may not change the way you are treated by medics. However, it could give you peace of mind, just knowing what exactly, the problem is so that you can start finding the best solution for you.
Supal , A wonderful and generous Explanation of your struggles, and a wonderful help to those are are still struggling to get their own answers .We all have a story to tell, most of us think it’s too traumatic to recall or regale others with .
Your account of your medical experiences and your dogged belief that there was a very real underlying issue with your Thyroid Gland is remarkable , your understanding of your own body, and how it works , is great , to say the least .
The ‘secrets’ you disclose here are the keys for others to use , to determine or prove to their Doctors , that they know what they’re talking about !
Your help is invaluable , to all who open their ears to it !
I was diagnosed with Graves Disease , after many years of being ill , by a Dermatologist who I went to see with a body rash , she knew immediately what my problem was !
My GP was absolutely lost, on the subject of Thyroid Disease and neglected me and ignored my pleas for help for many years , said it was “ that time of life “ whatever THAT was ?
We’ll do e you for sharing 👏👏
Stay well .
Mx🌹
Hi Macey2009.
I found “The Autoimmune Fix” by Dr Tom O’Bryan extremely helpful for understanding how autoimmunity is triggered and what we can do to “damp it down”.
Oh dear, that just shows how much your GP knows about Hashi's. I feel for you, but you are in the right place now that you are on this forum. Best of luck.
It makes you want to weep doesn't it?
Is your GP close to retirement? I am wondering if he is just going through the motions until he doesn't have to deal with your health issues any more and passes your problem on to the next GP!
It's frustrating yes. No. It's a fairly young gp. She's the best of a bad bunch. The last one i had just kept saying everything is anxiety and to wear more clothes and get a thicker duvet as i was always frozen even in summer.
That reminds me of Tommy Cooper, not like that, like THAT! And I was never a fan of him either!
It makes you wonder what else they are not trained enough on. And that could open a whole new can of worms!
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