To give a bit of background, most women in my family have under active thyroids, and my sister has Hashimotos. I’ve had quite a lot of symptom for a number of years (tiredness, pain/sensitivity to cold in hands, eyebrows falling out etc).
I have been to the doctors about it twice and had blood tests, to be told everything looked normal. I have since gone to a private company and sent off my blood sample to them to test. My readings came back as below.
Total Thyroxine (T4): 94 (normal range is 59-154 nmol/L)
Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH): 2.63 (normal range is 0.27-4.2 mIU/L)
Free Thyroxine (FT4): 14.2 (normal range is 12-22 pmol/l)
Free T3 (FT3): 5.1 (normal range is 3.1-6.8 pmol/l)
Anti-Thyroid Peroxidase Antibodies (TPEX): 11.2 (normal range is 0-34 IU/ml)
Thyroglobulin Antibody (TGAB): 765 (high, normal range is 0-115 IU/ml)
As you can see, all my readings are within normal ranges apart from TGAB which is showing as significantly high. Has anyone had this where this in isolation has been high? What does this mean please?
I am suspecting it means that my thyroid could become an issue in the future but isn’t yet (as all my other readings seem ok). I am going to take my results to the doctors, so if anyone knows of any other tests I should maybe push for given my results, please let me know. Due to all my other results being normal, I feel that I may just be ignored again even though I feel as though I have had symptoms for years.
TIA xx 🥰 (now added normal ranges in)
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Tulah91
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What time of day did you have the blood test? TSH varies throughout the day and is at it's highest (best time to test) at 9am.
You are right that the positive antibodies indicate an issue with your thyroid but your thyroid bloods aren't yet showing that you would be able to get a diagnosis and treatment yet.
I took the test between 9/10am so sounds like that was a good time to take it.
If the above is true about diagnosis and treatment, is it just a waiting game and a matter of checking my bloods to see when my other levels do start to deteriorate? And nothing I can do while waiting?
Hi Tulah, From those results it looks like your thyroid is already failing.
Your TSH is suggesting something is amuck and your T4 is really low in range.
The body protects T3 so it will be working really hard to keep it at that high level.
You will likely find that your TSH keeps creeping up trying to encourage T4 production... Which will likely keep falling which in turn will see your T3 drop.
NHS won't treat until your TSH is at least above the range but more likely they want it nearer 10.
My best advice is to read this forum, learn all you can and advocate for yourself.
In terms of being proactive, diet is the main thing to look at. And stress! Hashis is worsened with stress so it's ideal if you can manage that.
Thanks Witchinghour, your response is really informative. Confirms the thought of treatment not being available yet, but will see the doctor and push on the fact that quite clearly something isn’t right given my TGAB levels and my symptoms. Will also try and find some self remedies and tips on this forum, and will monitor bloods on a regular basis. Thanks x
Depends on the GP, I was treated after 2 TSH readings over 4.8. Would be worth checking vitamins B12, D, Folate and Ferritin. You can make yourself feel loads better by optimising those. Also reading up on Izabella Wentz, considering diet changes (low sugar and higher fat, stopping dairy gluten, soy etc. and upping phytoestrogens like linseed or nuts. that will improve your energy and sleep etc.
As you can see, all my readings are within normal ranges apart from TGAB which is showing as significantly high. Has anyone had this where this in isolation has been high? What does this mean please?
Normal isn't a result. It's an opinion and it's obviously not normal for you as you're symptomatic.
Your TGAb result isn't in isolation. TSH in a healthy person is rarely higher than 1.
Your TGAb confirms your thyroid issue is Autoimmune.
Hi Hedgeree, thanks for the advice, I have now added these in 🙂
"You must never use or accept the word normal from your doctor, yourself, or anyone else. I mean, what does normal actually mean? Normal for who? At what age? and in what circumstance? This term must disappear from your lexicon and it should disappear from the entire medical lexicon." Dr Robert Lustig
Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.
Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.
Bloating - please can anyone advise on how to tell if it's hypothyroidism or something else?
Elevated Thyroglobulin Antibody but dr says everything is fine
What if everything else is in range?
Is this ok or is my GP a fool?
Elevated antibodies? Thyroid peroxidase antibodies 808.5 IU/mL (<34)
TGAB and TPO antibodies - seem to fluctuate!
