Gp wants me to start Carbimazole. No meds for five weeks still over range

[Read58]

I posted a couple of weeks ago about being over range. Since them hashis antibodies have been tested and are normal, ( and have been for over a year.) lab twice refused TRab test, so no nearer to knowing if developed Graves. T4 is exactly as two weeks ago, but its only slightly over range. T3 down a tiny bit. Would it be wise to ask for more bloods in two weeks, or should i start (reluctantly) on Carbimazole which doc is pushing for?

[greygoose]

Since them hashis antibodies have been tested and are normal, ( and have been for over a year.)

Does that mean that more than a year ago you had raised TPO antibodies? If so, then you still do have Hashi's. And carbi is not the right treatment for Hashi's. Carbi is for Grave's, and your doctor should not prescribe it until he knows you have Grave's.

But, quite honestly, those results looks more like Hashi's than Grave's. With Grave's, FT3 is likely to be a lot higher than those.

[Read58 in reply to greygoose]

Hi greygoose, thank you for responding. TPO was 180 when first checked and gradually declined over two years. Your reply reinforces what I thought was right, but needed some reassurance thank you

[greygoose in reply to Read58]

Yes, you do have Hashi's then. And the antibodies reducing means nothing. You still have Hashi's. And you don't need carbi because that stops your thyroid producing thyroid hormone, it doesn't get rid of what is already in the blood. You just stop your levo - if you're taking it - and wait for the levels to go down naturally - which they will, in time.

[Read58 in reply to greygoose]

Thank you. Very happy to follow your advice

[greygoose in reply to Read58]

You're welcome.

[tattybogle]

i'd tell Doctor if he want's you to take carbimazole then you'll consider it if/ when he can show you your TRab are raised .. it's probably the best opportunity you'll ever get to have them tested.

[Read58 in reply to tattybogle]

Hi tattybogle, my doctor ( following advice from hospital endo), has twice requested trab. They keep taking my blood and not testing. Thieving blood snatchers! My gp even did the blood form on the old fashioned forms and wrote in big letters it was requested by endo. Still no results! I have been referred.

[tattybogle in reply to Read58]

he must have been assuming there is still a real live 'human' ( who can read) in the blood lab ... which is probably a very dangerous thing to assume nowadays.

[pennyannie]

Hello Read ;

Medichecks, a private blood testing company, details on Thyroid Uk website, run a blood test

for Graves antibodies if that helps with your dilemma -

and of course these should have been run on the NHS - you need either / or an over range and positive TR ab ( a thyroid blocking ) or a TSI ( a thyroid stimulating ) antibody test :

Either TSI and Trab will be dominant at any one time and they can swop places, and there is a " middle ground " when neither are centre stage.

Graves is said to be life threatening if not medicated and therefore treatment for Graves takes precedence, which is anti thyroid medication either Carbimazole or Propylthiouracil - PTU for ease of language.

[PurpleNails Administrator in reply to pennyannie]

TSI (thyroid “stimulating” immunoglobulin) measures the activating, but TRab TSH receptor antibodies doesn’t distinguish between “blocking”, stimulating & neural antibodies it measures ALL of them.

Thyrotropin binding inhibiting immunoglobulins (TBII) the blocking antibodies is very rarely tested or offered in laboratories. The “neural” are more newly discovered.

[pennyannie in reply to PurpleNails]

Thank you ;

[Read58 in reply to PurpleNails]

Thank you for info.

[pennyannie in reply to PurpleNails]

So I've just looked up and Medichecks runs the Graves TSH Receptor Stimulating Antibodies test :

So would this be the all encompassing TRab TSH receptor antibody test ?

[PurpleNails Administrator in reply to pennyannie]

Yes, I think that measures all types. I wonder if they have named the test slightly different to make searching easier. The full name being Thyroid stimulating (hormone) receptor anti-bodies TRab. The bio marker for Graves. I’ve also seen alternative abbreviations for TSab & TSBab. Different countries & labs using varying terms.

[pennyannie in reply to PurpleNails]

Thank you ;

[Read58]

Hi pennyannie, I’ve received nhs TRab positive results now. I hung on the phone for 50 minutes this morning to get a doctors appointment and get some meds, has untreated at the moment. Symptoms have rapidly increased over weekend and I know i need medication asap. Thanks for your reply