High thyroid antibodies : I was diagnosed 1... - Thyroid UK

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High thyroid antibodies

brewster01 profile image
9 Replies

I was diagnosed 11 years ago with hypothyroidism. Been on 100mcg levothyroxine and 20mcg liothyronine throughout prescribed by endocrinologist who I see once a year . Last visit 6 months ago .

I’ve been feeling off for a while and had a private blood test as I have to wait 6 weeks for one with the GP. I am alarmed by my antibody levels ( which have never been tested by NHS so I have no comparison )

Thyroglobulin antibodies range 0-115

Mine are 1073kIU/L

Thyroid peroxidase Antibodies range 0-34

Mine are 492 kIU/L

Cortisol is also low . Range 133-537.

Mine is 124 nmol/L

TSH is 0.006 . It has been suppressed for years . Free T3 5.9 and Free Thyroxine 17.5

All other markers and vitamins are in range

I scanned the results to the Endo . He stated the antibodies were not a concern as they are not clinically relevant . Reduced my Levo to 75mcg and is arranging a sycanthen test to check my adrenal glands . “Dr google “says high antibodies can indicate thyroid cancer

Should I be concerned and insist on a thyroid scan ( I’ve never had one )

thank you in advance

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9 Replies
SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator

TSH is 0.006 .

Free T3 5.9

Free Thyroxine 17.5

Please add ranges on Ft4 and Ft3

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)

T3 ….day before test split T3 as 2 or 3 smaller doses spread through the day, with last dose approximately 8-12 hours before test

Is this how you do your tests?

About 90% of primary hypothyroidism is autoimmune thyroid disease, usually diagnosed by high TPO and/or high TG 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.

In U.K. medics hardly ever refer to autoimmune thyroid disease as Hashimoto’s (or Ord’s thyroiditis)

Hashimoto's affects the gut and leads to low stomach acid and then low vitamin levels

Low vitamin levels affect Thyroid hormone working

when were vitamin D, folate, B12 and ferritin last tested

What vitamin supplements are you taking

brewster01 profile image
brewster01 in reply toSlowDragon

Thank you . I am gluten and dairy free and have been for years .

I tested negative for coeliac

All my vitamins and hormones were tested last week and were in range

I take magnesium , B12 , marine collagen supplements

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator in reply tobrewster01

Obviously no point testing for coeliac if already on gluten free diet

Can you add actual vitamin D, folate, B12 and ferritin results and ranges

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator in reply tobrewster01

Did you test as recommended

what’s range on Ft4 and Ft3

If Ft4 range is 12-22

Free T4 (fT4) 17.5 pmol/L (12 - 22) 

Ft4 is only 55.0% through range

You might need small INCREASE in Levo

brewster01 profile image
brewster01 in reply toSlowDragon

T3 range 3.1-6.8

T4 range 12-22

Tested as recommended

Folate 9.9 range more than 7

B12 active range 37.5 - 188

Vitamin D 86.1 range 50-220

You are suggesting an increase in Levo whilst Endo is reducing ?!

Are the high antibodies concerning?

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator in reply tobrewster01

Folate is low

What’s your B12 result?

Suggest you look at adding daily Vitamin B complex

one with folate in (not folic acid)

This can help keep all B vitamins in balance

Difference between folate and folic acid

healthline.com/nutrition/fo...

Many Hashimoto’s patients have MTHFR gene variation and can have trouble processing folic acid supplements

thyroidpharmacist.com/artic...

B vitamins best taken after breakfast

Igennus B complex popular option. Nice small tablets. Most people only find they need one per day. But a few people find it’s not high enough dose

Post discussing different B complex

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

Thorne Basic B recommended vitamin B complex that contains folate, but they are large capsules. (You can tip powder out if can’t swallow capsule) Thorne can be difficult to find at reasonable price, should be around £20-£25. iherb.com often have in stock. Or try ebay

IMPORTANT......If you are taking vitamin B complex, or any supplements containing biotin, remember to stop these 7 days before ALL BLOOD TESTS , as biotin can falsely affect test results

endo.confex.com/endo/2016en...

endocrinenews.endocrine.org...

In week before blood test, when you stop vitamin B complex, you might want to consider taking a separate folate supplement (eg Jarrow methyl folate 400mcg) and continue separate B12

Post discussing how biotin can affect test results

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

helvella.blogspot.com/p/hel...

once your serum B12 is over 500 (or Active B12 level has reached 70), you may be able to reduce then stop the B12 and just carry on with the B Complex.

If Vegetarian or vegan likely to need ongoing separate B12 few times a week

brewster01 profile image
brewster01 in reply toSlowDragon

Thank you very much for all the info

My B12 active was 126 and I had stopped taking it 2 weeks before the test so I have not resumed as it is in range without the supplement . What are your thoughts on the alarmingly high antibody results ?

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator in reply tobrewster01

You are suggesting an increase in Levo whilst Endo is reducing ?!

Endo is probably only looking at TSH

Free T4 (fT4) 17.5 pmol/L (12 - 22) 55.0%

Free T3 (fT3) 5.9 pmol/L (3.1 - 6.8) 75.7%

Many thyroid patients on Levo plus T3 find they need BOTH Ft4 and Ft3 at least 60-70% through range

Suggest you try endo suggestion to reduce dose Levo but don’t be surprised if results in increase in symptoms

Almost any dose of T3 will suppressed TSH

How do you normally take your T3 as 2 or 3 smaller doses through the day or as a single dose

Do you always get same brand Levothyroxine and T3 at each prescription

As you are dairy free are your levothyroxine and T3 lactose free

You might perhaps need slightly less T3 and a bit more levothyroxine

For example

3 x 5mcg T3 and 112.5mcg levothyroxine

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator

Poor gut function can lead leaky gut (literally holes in gut wall) this can cause food intolerances.

Most common by far is gluten.

Dairy is second most common.

A trial of strictly gluten free diet is always worth doing

Only 5% of Hashimoto’s patients test positive for coeliac but a further 81% of Hashimoto’s patients who try gluten free diet find noticeable or significant improvement or find it’s essential

A strictly gluten free diet helps or is essential due to gluten intolerance (no test available) or due to leaky gut and gluten causing molecular mimicry (see Amy Myers link)

Changing to a strictly gluten free diet may help reduce symptoms, help gut heal and may slowly lower TPO antibodies

While still eating high gluten diet ask GP or endocrinologist for coeliac blood test first as per NICE Guidelines

nice.org.uk/guidance/ng20/c...

Or buy a test online, about £20

Assuming test is negative you can immediately go on strictly gluten free diet 

(If test is positive you will need to remain on high gluten diet until endoscopy, maximum 6 weeks wait officially) 

Trying gluten free diet for 3-6 months. If no noticeable improvement then reintroduce gluten and see if symptoms get worse

chriskresser.com/the-gluten...

amymyersmd.com/2018/04/3-re...

thyroidpharmacist.com/artic...

drknews.com/changing-your-d...

Non Coeliac Gluten sensitivity (NCGS) and autoimmune disease

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/296...

The predominance of Hashimoto thyroiditis represents an interesting finding, since it has been indirectly confirmed by an Italian study, showing that autoimmune thyroid disease is a risk factor for the evolution towards NCGS in a group of patients with minimal duodenal inflammation. On these bases, an autoimmune stigma in NCGS is strongly supported

nuclmed.gr/wp/wp-content/up...

In summary, whereas it is not yet clear whether a gluten free diet can prevent autoimmune diseases, it is worth mentioning that HT patients with or without CD benefit from a diet low in gluten as far as the progression and the potential disease complications are concerned

restartmed.com/hashimotos-g...

Despite the fact that 5-10% of patients have Celiac disease, in my experience and in the experience of many other physicians, at least 80% + of patients with Hashimoto's who go gluten-free notice a reduction in their symptoms almost immediately.

Similarly few months later consider trying dairy free too. Approx 50-60% find dairy free beneficial

With loads of vegan dairy alternatives these days it’s not as difficult as in the past

Post discussing gluten

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

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