Thyroid antibody result

[Cloud77]

Hi there,

I was just wondering if a thyroid antibody level of 822 is quite high?

My T4 is 9.6 and TSH is 12.04

Have been on Levothroxine 50mg for nearly 6 weeks so awaiting another blood test to see if it’s helped bring the levels down. I haven’t had a chance to discuss the antibody result with my GP yet.

I was also wondering if it can affect periods being late one you start taking the medication?

Recently diagnosed with an underactive thyroid so grateful for any help as this seems like a good forum.

Thank you.

[Jaydee1507 Administrator]

822 for TPO antibodies is fairly high. Its a sign that you have autoimmmune hypothyroidism or Hashimoto's disease.

Antibodies naturally fluctuate depending on how much your thyroid has been attacked. Sometimes removing gluten from your diet can reduce their numbers but not always. Removing dairy can help symptoms in Hashi patients sometimes.

Periods can definitely be affected by hypothyroidism. Hopefully things will sort themselves out once you get more thyroid hormone inside you for longer.

Are you managing to get the same brand of Levo at each prescription? Your doctor can write the brand in the first line of the prescription to ensure your chemist dispenses the brand you prefer.

at bedtime works well for them.

When hypo we get low stomach acid which means we cannot absorb vitamins well from our food, regardless of a great diet. For thyroid hormone to work well we need OPTIMAL levels of vitamins. Have you recently or could you ask your GP to test levels of ferritin, folate, B12 & D3? Private tests are available, see link for companies offering private blood tests & discount codes, some offer a blood draw service at an extra cost. thyroiduk.org/help-and-supp...

There is also a new company offering walk in (includes free blood draw) & mail order blood tests in London, Kent, Sussex & Surrey areas. Check to see if there is a blood test company near you. onedaytests.com/products/ul...

Only do private tests on a Monday or Tuesday to avoid postal delays.

Recommended blood test protocol:

Test at 9am (or as close as possible), fasting, last levo dose 24hrs before the blood draw & no biotin containing supplements for 3-7 days (Biotin can interfere with thyroid blood results as it is used in the testing process)? Testing like this gives consistency in your results and will show stable blood levels of hormone and highest TSH which varies throughout the day. Taking Levo just prior to blood draw can show a falsely elevated result and your GP/Endo might change your dose incorrectly as a result.

[Cloud77 in reply to Jaydee1507]

Thanks for this that’s really helpful. This might be a stupid question but what is the difference between autoimmune hyperthyroidism & Hashimoto’s disease?

[Jaydee1507 Administrator in reply to Cloud77]

There is no difference really other than hashimoto's people usually have a goitre and Ord's don't have a goitre but they are both different names for the same thing which is autoimmune hypothyroidism and the NHS usually calls it just that.

[Cloud77 in reply to Jaydee1507]

Thanks… will certainly ask about getting the other tests too…

New territory for me so just getting my head around it all! Think I feel a little less tired after 6 weeks but not sure… perhaps it’s quite a subtle change…

[Jaydee1507 Administrator in reply to Cloud77]

It's very early days and you're yet on a fairly low dose.

Next step is to ask GP for the vitamin tests.

[HealthStarDust]

Late periods and indeed absent periods are very common. Prolonged periods while on levothyroxine not so much. I’m actually a bit jealous you are expiring a typical experience 😔

Stay strong, it’ll get better. Had not to worry. I know too well!

[greygoose]

Doesn't matter how high the antibodies are, they fluctuate all the time, anyway. Over-range is positive for Hashi's, within range is negative and that's really all you need to know. The exact level is irrelevant. However, they tend to be highest during/just after and immune system attack on the thyroid, when they come along to clean up the mess left in the blood. That done, their numbers diminish again.

[radd]

Cloud77,

High levels of thyroid antibodies signify the extend of the autoimmunity and the aim is to reduce levels in order to quell associated damaging inflammation that can make you feel unwell and induce further autoimmune conditions.

Many members have benefited from a gluten free diet and supplementing selenium that has been scientifically proven to reduce antibody levels. A great read is The Root Cause by Isabella Wentz that offers easy understanding of thyroid autoimmunity and how to best manage it.

Periods are often effected because of thyroid hormones influence on ovarian function. Any unwanted changes should hopefully reverse once you become optimally medicated on Levothyroxine.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

50mcg is only the standard STARTER dose levothyroxine

You are likely to need further increase in dose over coming months

Typically dose is increased in 25mcg steps, retesting bloods 6-8 weeks after each increase

This continues until symptoms resolved and usually Ft3 at least 50-60% through range

Recommended that all thyroid blood tests early morning, ideally just before 9am, only drink water between waking and test and last dose levothyroxine 24 hours before test

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

GP should have organised coeliac blood test, have they?

Plus vitamin D, folate, B12 and ferritin