Blood tests

[Pussycatlou]

just noticed on the letter from pears that they awaiting results of ANA and ANCA. This letter was dictated on 25th and bloods taken a good few weeks before that. Will these tests show auto immune thyroid and why taking so long? Anyone help?

[PurpleNails Administrator]

Neither are for thyroid antibodies. 

They are for other forms of antibodies.  

ANA may signify eg lupus there are other causes.

You can’t look both explanations of antibodies and what they might signify on this blood test site labtestsonline.org.uk

How is your daughter doing?

[Pussycatlou in reply to PurpleNails]

not great. Appetite still affected by nausea. Still lacking confidence to go out in case of Dizzyness, palpitations or nausea. Complaining of symptoms everyday and probably further weight loss. I contacted consultant about the choking sensation, feeing swollen at neck but they are on annual leave just now. Abdo ultrasound is ordered as routine so may not hear for weeks and they are not seeing her back until all results. My guess is bloods would still be abnormal if still having symptoms ?

[radd]

Pussycatlou,

ANA’s are auto-antibodies made in response to conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis , lupus and sjogrens. ANCA’s are auto-antibodies made in response to conditions such as Crohns or vasculitis. A diagnosis would be made in relation to other specific tests depending on what condition is suspected.

These antibodies may be raised in the presence of thyroid issues but to determine thyroid disease you will need thyroid antibodies testing. 

If bloods were taken weeks back then the results are somewhere and just need chasing up. Are you able to view them online?

[SlowDragon Administrator]

As per previous post

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

GP should have requested TPO and TG antibodies tested for autoimmune hypothyroid disease (hashimoto’s)

Hashimoto’s almost always starts with hyperthyroid results and symptoms before becoming increasingly hypothyroid

It’s not true hyperthyroidism…..but caused by excess thyroid hormones being released as cells breakdown under autoimmune attack

Essential to get vitamin levels tested too and coeliac blood test

Usually only endo can request TSI or Trab antibodies test for Graves’ disease

[Pussycatlou in reply to SlowDragon]

so you are saying her presentation of looking like heading for hyper is not unusual before it switches in hashimotos? This endo information really is mind boggling it’s quite a science to understand it all. My daughter just under general paeds but they have took advice from paed with interest in endo who is unconcerned about her dropping TSH. No mention in letter of rechecking bloods but I really want that to happen or how will we know if deteriorating.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Pussycatlou]

so you are saying her presentation of looking like heading for hyper is not unusual before it switches in hashimotos

Yes absolutely

We get small, but steady number of members turn up on here initially misdiagnosed as having Graves’ disease when they actually have Hashimoto’s…..

When they get FULL thyroid and vitamin testing…..it frequently reveals high TPO and/or high TG antibodies and low vitamin levels

With Hashimoto’s levels can swing significantly week by week, or day by day or even hour by hour

With Graves’ disease it is possible to have mildly raised TPO /TG antibodies

Graves’ disease should ALWAYS be confirmed by testing TSI or Trab antibodies

It’s also possible (but rare) to have both Hashimoto’s and Graves’ disease at same time

[caledoniancat]

I don't know anything about the tests you list but others have responded about this. I have just read your back posts and the symptoms your daughter has been experiencing. Has your daughter had her cortisol levels checked or been tested for adrenal issues? With adrenal issues (and particularly autoimmune type) you gradually become unwell (exhaustion, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, aches and pains, craving salty foods, weight loss, headaches, muscular and joint aches and pains etc) but it is massively exacerbated by surgery or physiological changes etc...just a thought.

[Pussycatlou in reply to caledoniancat]

I don’t know if she has. I have a slight memory of cortisol being mentioned. I have also wondered about pituitary illness as why is she so small and fully grown at 4ft 11 . We are fairly average in stature, not tall but not small either. We know she has stopped growing due to her orthopaedic issues we know her growth plates have closed.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Pussycatlou]

why is she so small and fully grown at 4ft 11 . We are fairly average in stature, not tall but not small either. 

So she needs full pituitary, adrenal and thyroid testing

hopkinsmedicine.org/health/....

[Pussycatlou in reply to SlowDragon]

I’m 5ft 3 and her dad is 5’8 , no one seems concerned at growth. I did mention to paeds we know she is fully grown as needs regular checks of growth plates as she has metalwork in her knee and it’s to be removed as growth plates now closed x

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Pussycatlou]

Roughly where are you based within U.K.

List of thyroid specialists and endocrinologists including at least one pituitary specialist

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

[Pussycatlou in reply to SlowDragon]

I’m in Scotland. Her paed is not endo , they been taking advice from another paed with endo interest x

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Pussycatlou]

see if there’s anyone listed in Scotland who can treat children

[caledoniancat]

According to the website listed below there is paediatric endocrinology in Glasgow, Edinburgh and Aberdeen. Perhaps the site will have other useful infospeg.scot.nhs.uk/

Hope you get some answers soon to help your daughter feel better.

[Pussycatlou]

thank you so much for that information .

She already attends Glasgow children’s hospital for her complex knee issue so we are very familiar with the hospital. It’s good to know they have a specialist team x