Thyroid Antibodies Question

[Dottie44]

Hi, I just had blood work done, and looking for insight.

FT3: 4.4 (range 2.3-4.2)

FT4: 0.4 (range 0.8-1.8)

TSH: 0.03 (range 0.40-4.50)

Thyroglobulin: 1 (range <OR +=1) (This showed as normal)

Thyroid Peroxidase Antib: 74 (range <9)

The lowest my antibodies ever were was about 170-300.

Any idea why they are so low now? More stress, menopause, pandemic. Not sure how this could be.

I take 50 mcg of Liothyronine in the am, and 10 in the pm.

Thank you for your help!

[greygoose]

Because there's no work for them to do at the moment. Antibodies tend to be highest just after an immune attack on the thyroid. The dying cells leak TPO/Tg into the blood - where it shouldn't be - and the antibodies come along, surround it and call for help to take it away. If there hasn't been an attack lately, there will be less antibodies around because they've got nothing to do.

Attacks lessen as time goes on, because there is less thyroid tissue to attack, so it's normal for antibodies to reduce in number with time.

[Dottie44 in reply to greygoose]

Thank you, greygoose! I was surprised to see a "normal" flag on the lab report. I appreciate your explanation!

[greygoose in reply to Dottie44]

You're welcome.

[Lalatoot]

Dottie - Antibodies fluctuate. They do not themselves cause symptoms. Antibodies clean up the debris left when your autoimmune system attacks your thyroid. Antibodies are a useful diagnostic tool to tell you if you have Hashis or Graves but once you know that, there is little to be gained from testing levels.

[Dottie44 in reply to Lalatoot]

Thank you, Lalatoot. I think from now on, I will leave them off of my lab request. They do cost a bit to be checked, so thank you for explaining. I probably don't need to test for them since I've been diagnosed with Hashi's and Celiac for 16 years now. Appreciate your help!