Autoimmunity

[Rambling9]

Hi a quick question about autoimmunity.

Recent Medichecks blood tests showed the above and came with this comment "Your thyroglobulin antibodies are positive. These antibodies are associated with autoimmune thyroid issues, especially Hashimoto's."

I started off overactive c22 years ago then had RAI treatment so now underactive.

Would the antibodies have been positive whilst I was overactive and would that have been Grave's Disease? I wasn't told that at the time.

And now I'm underactive does that mean I have Hashimoto's?

Sorry if these are rookie questions!

Many thanks

[tattybogle]

Note ~ i read Thyroglobulin antibodies(TGab) can also be high for other 'autoimmune' reasons , not just hashimoto's .. i think it was Rheumatoid Arthritis and Sjogrens and Diabetes , and possibly coeliac , but i've forgotten to be honest.

(this is partly why the NHS only use TPOab (Thyroid Peroxidase antibodies) for confirming Autoimmune Hypo and don't accept TGab as evidence ).

if i find a link i'll add it later.

Edit : a certain % of Graves patients have raised TPOab anyway .. not sure if this also applies to TGab , but it wouldn't surprise me.

More edit: if you can handle reading it without getting a headache ~ here's a link to a paper i read a couple of yrs ago with lots of detailed info about antibodies

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu... (different-varieties-of-hashimotos-every-thing-you-ever-wanted-to-know-about-antibodies-lots-youll-never-get-your-head-round)

[tattybogle in reply to tattybogle]

"TgAb can be detected in 30% of patients with Graves’ disease and in 85% of patients with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis". southtees.nhs.uk/services/p...

[Star13 in reply to tattybogle]

I found this about TgAb:

sciencedirect.com/topics/im...

[greygoose]

Would the antibodies have been positive whilst I was overactive and would that have been Grave's Disease? I wasn't told that at the time.

Not even certain they would have even tested antibodies, they often don't. They believe that if the TSH is suppressed it has to be Graves', when in fact it could be Hashi's. To confirm Graves', you need TRAB and/or TSI tested.

And a lot of doctors don't believe in giving such information to patients, even if they do test for it, because everybody knows we're far too stupid to understand all that! lol Just do as you're told and shut up.

And now I'm underactive does that mean I have Hashimoto's?

Well, you're underactive because you've had RAI and your thyroid is either under-performing or not working at all. So, it really dosn't matter if you have Hashi's or not. But you could have had, certainly.

[pennyannie]

Hello again :

Graves Disease is diagnosed by either TRab or TSI antibodies being positive and over range.

Initially an Anti Thyroid drug like Carbimazole is prescribed for around 15-18 months in the hope that your immune system calms down enough for you to stop the AT drug and then get on with the rest of your life.

If your TSH. T3 and T4 do not respond well to the AT drug one is encouraged to take the invasive steps of either a thyroidectomy or RAI thyroid ablation.

Some people do have Graves and Hashimoto's running at the same time, both diseases are auto immune - Graves is multi organ whereas Hashimoto's solely attacks the thyroid.

Graves treatment takes precedence, as Graves is considered life threatening if not medicated with AT drugs.

There is no medication for Hashimoto's - until such time as the thyroid becomes underactive from various AI attacks and then the patient is prescribed T4 - Levothyroxine.

Hashimoto's is a thyroid AI disease and confirmed by over range and positive TPO or TgAB antibodies but since you had RAI thyroid ablation some 22 years ago I doubt these antibodies are of any relevance though have read of some cases where the thyroid regrows.