Does the presence of antibodies mean an autoimmune condition?

[Bristolgal8]

Hi looking for some advice. Been put on levothyroxine 25mg daily as my tsh is 2.9 and I am trying to conceive. My blood tests show the presence of antibodies Thyroglobulin antibodies (TgAB) at 14.2kU/L on a range of 0 to 315 and also Thyroid peroxidase antibodies (TPOAb) 8.6kIU/L on a range of 0 to 200.

Dr didn't mention anything about autoimmunity but I am trying to do my own research so any help appreciated. I thanks

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Bristolgal8

We all have some antibodies, nobody has ever posted a result of zero for antibodies.

Your antibodies are nice and low. This does not suggest autoimmune thyroid disease (Hashimoto's). Over range antibodies would be positive for Hashi's.

[Bristolgal8 in reply to SeasideSusie]

SS

Thanks for replying to me. GPs don't seem to provide much info on the topic at all and I couldn't decipher from Google if any antibodies equalled autoimmunity or if the numbers had to be particularly high. Your reply is appreciated.

[shaws Administrator]

This link may be helpful:-

Levothyroxine doses need to be carefully monitored during pregnancy. If you're planning to become pregnant or think you may be pregnant, it's important to talk to your doctor to get the right care for you and your baby.

nhs.uk/medicines/levothyrox...

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Bloods should be retested 6-8 weeks after each dose change or brand change in levothyroxine

Test thyroid levels early morning and last dose levothyroxine 24 hours before test

Have you had vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 levels tested?

If not request testing

Add results if you have any

[jimh111]

Your antibodies are very low so no problem. People can have high antibodies and be fine, also their thyroid can fail with low antibodies but those with high antibodies have a much higher risk of their thyroid failing.

The results you posted recently Tsh 2.89mIU, Ft4 14.7pmol, Ft3 4.9pmol are fine. I suspect the 25 mcg levothyroxine will make little difference to your numbers but there's no harm in trying.

The recommendation to keep TSH below 2.5 in early stages of pregnancy apply to women whose thyroid has failed and so is unable to respond to fluctuations in TSH. I don't know of any studies of TSH in women who do not have a thyroid problem.

It's unlikely that your difficulty conceiving is due to thyroid problems. I have heard of cases where women conceived after taking levothyroxine to lower their TSH but nobody knows whether this was just chance. Even if you don't need it levothyroxine (up to 50 mcg?) is cheap and safe. I would give it a try and if you haven't conceived in a few months ask your doctor if you could try 50 mcg for a few months, that you would then be willing to wean off it if it made no difference. I assume your doctor is checking out all the usual stuff. I am not a doctor and have no knowledge beyond thyroid stuff.

[Bristolgal8 in reply to jimh111]

Thanks for this Jim. Thyroid testing is just one of the standard fertility tests carried out and my Dr wanted me to go on a low dose to see if it would bring my Tsh down. I don't present with any of the standard thyroid symptoms so wouldn't even have considered it being tested until trying to conceive. Thanks

[KrazyKatMT70 in reply to jimh111]

Yes, 25 mcg is a very low dose. But her numbers are not high.

[myfanwy1945]

I have taken Levothyroxine since 2008. My GP refused to diagnose me,so I paid and went privately. The doctor I saw said the fact that my mother had died of Addison's disease should have given me a diagnosis. I have had not ill effects from taking it. At the moment I take 100mcg per day.

[Music1]

Sounds similar to myself. I have "Hashimoto". I never have gluten anymore. It's important to get your TSH as low as possible if you're trying to conceive. I wasn't allowed to start ivf without it being way below 1.25 is a starter doae that goes up in increments of 25. I was on 150mg before my level finally came down. It took years as my GP didn't want to increase dose but my consultant said it wouldn't work otherwise. You/ we will always have these antibodies. Just cut down or stop gluten and see how you feel. Also, I found the brand "Teva" did very little for me and left me unwell. Just a warning if you get that brand I would rec swapping. I'm not knowledgeable about all this. But I did have to get my dose high enough to drop level to start. Best wishes. It did work for me eventually after a few mc before bringing diagnosed. I now have an active 2 Yr old I love him to bits. Best of luck xx

[KrazyKatMT70]

Did your Dr mention Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis ? You need an Endocrinologist,they specialize in this. I’ve had Hashimoto’s since 1990. You just test it once a year, and sometimes I increase dosage and sometimes you decrease your dosage. Your immune system attacks the thyroid. My twin daughters have it too. They are 55.

[tattybogle in reply to KrazyKatMT70]

Bristolgal8's antibody results are both negative (TPOab and TGab ) and her TSH is well within range .... so hashimoto's (autoimmune hypothyroidism) is not obviously indicated here.

But even of if it was ,.... in UK / NHS ,treating hashimoto's (autoimmune hypothyroidism) is very much considered 'GP territory' .. and NHS endocrinologist would not get involved unless there were problems with stabilising hormone Levels using Levothyroxine.

So an NHS endocrinologist would almost certainly not accept a referral for anybody with these results.

[KrazyKatMT70]

IF you had Hashimoto’s, and she obviously doesn’t, it can be just Hashimoto’s or be related to other autoimmune diseases . In that case a Rheumatologist.