TRAb result

[Heybella]

hi all,

my previous post here: healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

I have a ‘negative’ TRAb result:

Thyroid receptor antibodies 1.21 IU/L (0 - 1.50)

I had been on PTU for around 5-6 weeks at this point and believe my levels were just outside of range.

Medichecks TPO 28 Feb was 121 Kiu/l (0-34)

NHS test 15 April: Serum thyroid peroxidase antibody concentration 664 iu/mL [0.0 - 6.0];

Ultrasound in April showed inflammation/ thyroiditis

suffering with overactive thyroid with levels just over the ranges but very symptomatic.

I have been ill for months with severe fatigue and almost flu like symptoms. Terrible debilitating anxiety and depression.

Can anyone give any advice on what to do next?

[SlowDragon Administrator]

how long since last TSH, Ft4 and Ft3 test

ALWAYS test early morning, ideally before 9am and only drinking water between waking and test

How long since you stopped PTU or Carbimazole

[Heybella in reply to SlowDragon]

Hi  SlowDragon thanks for replying

Stopped PTU on 4 May

Last thyroid function test 14 May showed levels had increased again since coming off PTU:

FREE T4+FT3+TSH

Serum free T4 level 19 pmol/L [9.1 -17.6

Serum TSH level < 0.01 mu/L [0.35 - 4.9

Serum free triiodothyronine level 7.9 pmol/L [2.4 - 6.0; Above high reference limit

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Heybella]

So you look like you still need something to block excess thyroid hormones

Why was PTU stopped

You can’t take propranolol because of asthma?

[Heybella in reply to SlowDragon]

I had to stop because of raised liver enzymes on PTU

I was told I couldn’t have propranolol due to asthma but I have actually been taking a small dose which has helped somewhat

Will keep an eye on my asthma but it is only mild asthma

[pennyannie]

Hey there again :

So have I got this right - now a negative for Graves but a positive for Hashimoto's -

Last year started with Carbimazole but had side effects - maybe too high a dose -

switched to PTU - dealing with debilitating symptoms which can be both hyper and hypo ?

Now off PTU due to liver issues and T3/T4 rising again - and thinking of restating on a low dose of Carbimazole -

Are you taking any other medications ?

What were the results and suggestions from the thyroid scan ?

[Heybella in reply to pennyannie]

Hi pennyannie

I was started on Carbimazole in Feb this year - but stopped after a week because it made me feel sick, and seemed to give me palpitations

Went onto PTU in March but had to come off due to raised liver enzymes.

Endo/ hospital now want me to try carbi again but start at 5mg

Ultrasound - just showed inflammation / thyroiditis - I don’t have access to result (I was told this by my GP who could see the result)

It looks negative for Graves? But I guess I was on PTU when the test was taken - would this matter at this point?

Hope this helps x

[pennyannie in reply to Heybella]

I doubt the PTU would lower the antibody reading - did it lower your TPO readings ?

I do know that with Graves you can have Blocking or Stimulating antibodies at any given time and for a length of time - and so phases of hyper or hypo - and phases when neither blocking nor stimulating are controlling your thyroid production - with you just feeling - worse for wear -

and for some people these blocking and stimulating antibodies burn each other out - and this phase of Graves - considered over :

However your thyroid is still able to produce hormones and they seem to be slowly rising - so you need to put the brakes on - and that means trying the Carbimazole again.

Graves can wax and wane throughout one's life - as can Hashimoto's - with both AI diseases - ultimately I'm guessing - damaged and what ever is left isn't enough to cause the the extremes of high levels usually seen in Graves :

I guess for the hospital to want you to try the Carbimazole again they are seeing you as Graves though currently with negative antibodies.

Thinking on :

[Heybella]

thank you pennyannie

I really appreciate your reply.

Finding it really difficult at the minute x