Test results

[NewbieHyper]

Hi,I was recently diagnosed with hyperthyroidism. I'm on 20mg carbi daily, plus 60mg diltiazem since early October.

I got these results over the weekend.

Trab 3.0, normal range < 2.0Tsi 116, normal range < 140

What does this antibody results mean?

A month ago my t4 was 24, range 5.0-12.0

I forgot what t3 was, but it was outside of range

Tsh was .01

[Lalatoot]

pennyannie is very good at giving an insight at being hyper. I've tagged her so she may come along and help.

Your trab antibodies being higher than the expected level confirm graves disease which is an autoimmune condition.

[pennyannie]

Hello again - NewbieHyper and welcome to the forum :

Do you have your blood test results and ranges at diagnosis - that would be a TSH, T3 and T4 readings and ranges please -

and it appears above that your TRab - Thyroid Receptor antibody blood test has come back at 3 with the cut off being - 2 -so an over range and positive blood test for Graves Disease.

The TSI - thyroid stimulating immunglobuline has come back under the range :

What symptoms were you dealing with and have these now started to subside since taking the Anti-Thyroid drug and Diltiazem - which I read is used to treat hypertension and angina.

Graves seems to be poorly undestood and badly treated Auto Immune health issue which generally only gets diagnosed once the thyroid and or eyes become the targets for your immune system to attack.

There is no cure for Graves and initially the NHS allocate around a 15-18 month window with an AT drug - such as Carbimazole which simply puts you in a holding position - much like a plane waiting to land - while we wait for your immune system response to calm down - stop diving up your Graves antibodies - and your T3 and T4 fall back down into range and your thyroid revert to normal function.

You should have regular blood tests during this period and as your T3 andT4 fall back down into their ranges your dose of the AT medication and likely the Diltiazem titrated down accordingly.

Quite why your immune system has decded to attack your body rather than defend it - and why now - is of course - the 64 million $ question - though stress and anxiety do seem to be common triggers - and you may need to consider your work / life balance and food choices.

Quite where your T3 and T4 need to be within their ranges for you to feel well is the second question - and pretty much unique to each person.

The thyroid is a major gland responsible for full body synchronisation from your physical throgh to your mental, emotional, psychological and spiritual well being - you inner cental heating system and your metabolisism.

When metabolism is running too fast as in hyperthyroidism or too slow as in hypothyroidism the sympoms can be debilitating -

and the body will also struggle to extract key nutrients through food no mattr how well and clean you eat -

so it will be wise to also get your ferritin, folate, B12 and vitamin D levels run - and if you share these resuls and ranges wih forum members - as with all your blood tests results we can explain more clearly where levels need to be to supprt you through this first phase of Graves Disease and not compromise your ill health further than necessary.

For all things Graves Disease - elaine-moore.com -

For all things thyroid - thyroiduk.org

We now have some much needed research into Graves Disease treatment which you may need to consider as you go through the NHS system :-

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/338...

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/306...

I'm with Graves post RAI thyroid ablation in 2005 and only started my research some 10 years too late when very unwell - some 8 years ago and offered no help nor understandng through the NHS.

P.S - if with dry, gritty, burning, weeping eyes - please ensure all potions, lotions and drops etc are Preservative Free - even those prescribed by the NHS.

[NewbieHyper in reply to pennyannie]

Thanks Penny.My only physocal symptom was swollen ankles. I have a private Endo in my home country. I don't have my initial results.

I'm due to have blood tests redone next week. So I'll share when I get it.

I have a thyroid uptake scan later this week also.

The carbi really helped, the diltiazem was for high resting heart rate. That has also improved.

Stress was a big factor, so I'm working on it.

[pennyannie in reply to NewbieHyper]

Ok - so where do you live and intend seeking treatment ?

[NewbieHyper in reply to pennyannie]

I'm in the Caribbean, far away from the UK. Lol.😀.

[pennyannie in reply to NewbieHyper]

Oh - ok then - so probably a good idea to also register with Elaine Moore's forum once home - which is Stateside - I 'm not sure but guess the treatment in the Caribbean probably more akin that of the USA - probably different named drugs but think the principle remains much the same.

You do likely have more choice with regard to more holistic, alternative and integrated doctors - some of whom may have a better understanding of Graves than mainstream medical .

[NewbieHyper]

I'm at the start of the journey so I'm hoping I'll get good treatment and follow up. So far they have moved quickly from my initial diagnosis.Thanks Penny.

[pennyannie in reply to NewbieHyper]

Well you're more than welcome to kep us in the loop with anything that you need explaining -so just factor in time differential - when waiting for replies.