thyroid antibodies

[grigg2017]

Hi all,

looking for advice.... having problems conceiving and one of the issues thats come is are thyroid antibodies ...the gp doesn't seem to have a clue. should i be visiting a specialist! trying to iron out any of the isses that may be affecting my chances

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

grigg2017

I take it antibodies were tested and are over range?

Do you have any thyroid test results that you can post? If so please post them and include the reference ranges (numbers often in brackets at the side of the results on a print out).

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Welcome to the forum

Please add actual results and ranges (figures in brackets after each result)

Important to see exactly what has been tested and equally important what hasn’t been tested yet

 

For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4 and FT3 tested 

Also both TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested at least once 

Very important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 at least once

Are you currently taking and pre conception vitamins?

If yes, what exactly

About 90% of primary hypothyroidism is autoimmune thyroid disease, usually diagnosed by high thyroid antibodies 

Autoimmune thyroid disease with goitre is Hashimoto’s

Autoimmune thyroid disease without goitre is Ord’s thyroiditis. 

Both are autoimmune and generally called Hashimoto’s.

Low vitamin levels are extremely common when hypothyroid, especially with autoimmune thyroid disease (Hashimoto’s or Ord’s thyroiditis)

Recommended that all thyroid blood tests early morning, ideally just before 9am

This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip)

What time of day was test done?

Private tests are available as NHS currently rarely tests Ft3 or all relevant vitamins

List of private testing options and money off codes

thyroiduk.org/getting-a-dia...

Medichecks Thyroid plus antibodies and vitamins

medichecks.com/products/adv...

Blue Horizon Thyroid Premium Gold includes antibodies, cortisol and vitamins

bluehorizonbloodtests.co.uk...

If you can get GP to test vitamins then cheapest option for just TSH, FT4 and FT3

£32 (via NHS private service ) and 10% off if go on thyroid uk for code

thyroiduk.org/getting-a-dia...

monitormyhealth.org.uk/

Monitor My Health also now offer thyroid and vitamin testing, plus cholesterol and HBA1C for £65 

(Doesn’t include thyroid antibodies) 

monitormyhealth.org.uk/full...

10% off code here 

thyroiduk.org/getting-a-dia...

Only do private testing early Monday or Tuesday morning. 

Link about thyroid blood tests

thyroiduk.org/getting-a-dia...

Link about Hashimoto’s

thyroiduk.org/hypothyroid-b...

Symptoms of hypothyroidism 

thyroiduk.org/wp-content/up...

[radd]

grigg2017,

Welcome to our forum,

Studies on the effect of elevated thyroid antibodies and pregnancy all appear to be fairly old, probably because not a lot has evolved in the management of thyroid autoimmune disease, except Levothyroxine. Thyroid hormone levels will influence pregnancy hormones and vice versa and the response can be altered by elevated thyroid antibodies whether you are pregnant or not. 

Low thyroid hormone levels can also cause disruption with ovulation and impair chance of conception. Also once pregnant it is imperative to have enough thyroid hormone to retain the pregnancy and encourage good development, and for this there are very clear guidelines. 

I recommend you read books such as "Your Healthy Pregnancy With Thyroid Disease" by Dana Trentini and Mary Shomon, and view websites such as ‘hypothyroidmom’.  Their general consensus is to keep antibodies as low as possible through means such as eliminating cross-reactive foods, avoiding sugar spikes, supplementing selenium, fish oils, Vit D, etc, that helps calm an over active immune response. 

When we have Hashi, we effectively have two separate but connected conditions to manage: the replacement of thyroid hormone, the managing of the auto immune response. If you post recent results including ranges (numbers in brackets) members will comment.

[ChrisCh]

Many people have had great results with Artichoke supplements, Supreme Nutrition is a good brand if you can get it where you are. Good Luck