Thyroid antibodies: Hello everyone, Just... - Thyroid UK

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Thyroid antibodies

Owl84 profile image
19 Replies

Hello everyone,

Just asking for some advice or thoughts as I have the thyroid antibodies but ‘normal thyroid’.

The thyroid antibodies were found when my first private endo ran tests for my hypoPARA. I have been confused about what they are going to do about it as all they have said it ‘your thyroid is normal and cant treat it yet or ‘the thyroid antibodies do not mean anything”.

I am on a waiting list for a new endo as i asked to changed to someone who really understood hypoPARA as the fight to get diagnosed with this condition as been a long one. So the thyroid antibodies have been left on a back burner.

My bloods were:

TSH - 1.35 mIU/L (0.38-5.5) 08/12/2023

Thyroid Screen Medicheck 02/01/2024

• TSH 1.890 mIU/L (0.27- 4.2)

• Free T3 5.1 pmol/L (3.1-6.8)

• Free Thyroxine 15.6 pmol/L (12-22)

Thyroid Antibodies (TPO)

90 iu/ml. (0.0-60.0) 08/12/2023

64 iu/ml. (0.0-60.0) 29/01/2024

Family history of graves disease. I had boarderline ANA once too.

It will also help when they find the cause of my hypoPARA (autoimmune or genetic) as there are some cluster of autoimmune conditions which include the thyroid conditions. I also have some other conditions such as histamine intolerance, food allergy, OI, autism, eczema, asthma, spontaneous urticaria. Also in the waiting list for reacurring suspected UTI’s.

Many thanks

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Owl84
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19 Replies
greygoose profile image
greygoose

Well, unfortunately your doctor is almost right.

What they mean is that you have autoimmune thyroiditis - Hashi's - which is something you do need to know. But, I'm afraid there's nothing that can be done about it. Your immune system will slowly destroy your thyroid until you do go hypo, and have to be prescribed thyroid hormone replacement. But, there's nothing else anyone can do.

FT3: 5.1 pmol/l (Range 3.1 - 6.8) 54.05%

FT4: 15.6 pmol/l (Range 12 - 22) 36.00%

Your FT4 is a little on the low side, although FT3 is ok, but doctors only tend to look at the TSH, which is 'normal' (euthyroid). And that's all he's interested in.

By the way, what time of day was this test done? Because TSH varies throughout the day and is highest before 9 am. So, if you get retested, that's worth remembering.

And, it would probably be a good idea to get your nutrients tested: vit D, vit B12, folate and ferritin. Because they are probably low, and adding to your symptoms. :)

Owl84 profile image
Owl84 in reply to greygoose

that is really helpful, thank you. I am going to get back in touch to ask that autoimmune thyroiditis - Hashi's get documented in my notes as note spoke to the GP about it since the tests (my own fault) and perhaps ask for regular testing.

My medicheck was done about 7:55 am so really early.

B12 always historically low normal. vitamin d normal but take supplements because of the hypopara, ferritin and folate seem okay for now 😊

greygoose profile image
greygoose in reply to Owl84

How low is low for the B12?

Owl84 profile image
Owl84 in reply to greygoose

Last B12 was 245 (usual for me) few months before it was 214. B12 also did a strange thing before it dropped to 214 as the month before it was 300ish never known it go that high for me lol but then drop quickly.

greygoose profile image
greygoose in reply to Owl84

That is dangerously low. Have you been tested for Pernicious Anemia?

Owl84 profile image
Owl84 in reply to greygoose

I have suspected Pernicious Anemia since my diagnosis of hypoPARA and since having my b12 tested as it can come as a autoimmune cluster. One of my GP’s just said I have a fast metabolism. Will ask GP again but may also ask endo of no luck as they still need to find cause of hypoPARA etc.

greygoose profile image
greygoose in reply to Owl84

Yes, do ask. They just don't realise the importance of B12!

Owl84 profile image
Owl84 in reply to greygoose

will do, thank you!

greygoose profile image
greygoose in reply to Owl84

You're welcome. :)

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator

Low B12

are you vegetarian or vegan

If not you need testing for Pernicious Anaemia before starting daily B12 or B12 injections

What was folate result

Low B12 symptoms

b12deficiency.info/signs-an...

methyl-life.com/blogs/defic...

NICE guidelines on B12 and testing

healthunlocked.com/redirect...

With serum B12 result below 500, (Or active B12 below 70) recommended to be taking a separate B12 supplement

A week later add a separate vitamin B Complex 

Then 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

Highly effective B12 drops

natureprovides.com/products...

Or

B12 sublingual lozenges

uk.iherb.com/pr/jarrow-form...

cytoplan.co.uk/shop-by-prod...

B12 range in U.K. is too wide

Interesting that in this research B12 below 400 is considered inadequate

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

folate

supplementing a good quality daily vitamin B complex, one with folate in (not folic acid)

This can help keep all B vitamins in balance and will help improve B12 levels too

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 5-7 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...

Owl84 profile image
Owl84 in reply to SlowDragon

thank you for this info -

ferretin 102ug/L (10.0-291.0)

Folate 7.4 (5.4-999.0)

I am not vegan so never can understand why its not better than it is. My GP just said i have a fast metabolism but i was unsure as PA can also hand in hand with autoimmune hypoPARA. I will ask GP again but may ask my endo as they still need to look into causes of hypoPARA.

I do get those symptoms but are also some are the same as hypoPARA in which I am not on the best medication for my conditions yet so I am unable to know whats what at present.

maggiesloper profile image
maggiesloper

I'm no expert, but since adding Selenium drops to my daily regime, my thyroid antibodies have dropped from several hundred to within normal range. I'm in Australia so use a good quality brand Bioceuticals - it's 3 drops per day in water or juice. Easy and works a treat

Owl84 profile image
Owl84

sounds great, glad you have found something that has helped.

radd profile image
radd

Owl84,

Welcome to the forum,

The medical community do not treat thyroid antibodies as they are not warranted bad enough for immune suppressants drugs. Therefore, the treatment is sadly to allow enough destruction of the thyroid gland when Levothyroxine thyroid hormone replacement med will be prescribed.

And because the medical profession can not treat thyroid antibodies with drugs, they are considered harmless but research shows them to be the cause of systemic inflammation which goes on to create other unwanted conditions. Hence the clusters of autoimmunity often seen together, eg Hashi, RA, PA, Sjögren's, Crohn's, and many more. The medical professional do not understand the immune system can be modulated and encouraged better performance without drugs and you are in a great place before you have to start medicating replacement meds to try reducing the thyroid antibodies that are synonymous of thyroid attacks.

Many of us have noticed a reduction in thyroid antibodies after adopting a gluten free diet, possibly dairy free diet, and ensuring selenium levels and Vit D levels are optimal which are both strong immune modulators. Histamine intolerance/MCAS are common, poorly understood and often create gut issues as does hypothyroidism, and addressing conditions such as gut dysbiosis, SIBO or H.Pylori often eliminates many seemingly unrelated symptoms.

Given you have so many other immune issues it appears your immune system is very vulnerable and must be working in a high response mode most of the time. I would suggest you find a functional practitioner to help you untangle what appears a complex state. I would also highly recommend a book called 'The Root Cause' by Isabella Wenz who guides you through the autoimmune process and gives ways of managing it. Her strategies made me feel so much better. Here is web-link for Isabella but there are many YouTube and podcasts available. ... thyroidpharmacist.com/artic...

You really want to avoid taking thyroid hormone replacement meds at all costs because they don't suit everyone. The forum is full of members trying to change meds or combos or doses because they simply can not get well, and many of us have to pay vast sums to get thyroid meds that suit. My thyroid gland was atrophied long before Isabella Wenzt came on the scene but one of my sons is controlling thyroid antibodies through diet and supplements and is delaying/eliminating hypothyroidism onset.

Owl84 profile image
Owl84 in reply to radd

Thank you for this info - i will have a look at the book. I am concerned about eventually having to take medication for it as so sensitive to medication. I ended up with serotonin syndrome on just 10mg of antidepressants which is rare! Anything that helps reduced a medication is a bonus for me.

radd profile image
radd in reply to Owl84

Owl84,

I wonder if that could be related to the high histamine which is a neurotransmitter. Have you been investigated for MCAS?

radd profile image
radd in reply to Owl84

Owl84,

Regarding antibiotic resistant and reoccuring UTI's, I think its D-mannose that members have found to be effective. Just put another post up for members experiences.

Owl84 profile image
Owl84

i was referred for MCAS but the consultant did not mention looking into it any further and just concentrated on the skin testing. I had already been diagnosed with raw pecan and brazil last year but new immunologist thought it may now not not be allergy but histamine intolerance. But wont take my epi pens off me yet.

No one has ever looked into why i go toxic on ssris apart from a lovely consultant mentioned i could have a gene variant CYP 2D4.

dealsgap profile image
dealsgap

May want to do some research on Leaky Gut and Thyroid antibodies.

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