First time antibody test - what do the numbers mean?

[L154C0]

just had my results back from Blue Horizon. I can see my TSH is lower and T4 is higher than it was 2 weeks ago. What do the antibody results show d’you think? Hashimoto or Graves?

The hyperthyroid symptoms of palpitations, tachycardia and tremor are subsiding now GP has prescribed beta blocker.

What should I do with these results now???

[Jaydee1507 Administrator]

Have you also had antibodies tested for Graves disease - Trab & TSI?

Your TPO & Tg antibodies are both positive which could mean you have Hashimoto's or autoimmune hypothyroidism which can sometimes start with a period of hyperthyroidism. To be sure you need Graves antibodies tested which is usually done by an Endocrinologist.

If this is Hashimoto's then your thyroid levels could continue to swing either way for a few years.

Have you had key vitamin levels tested - ferritin, folate, B12 & D3?

[L154C0 in reply to Jaydee1507]

Hi

I am trying to get referred to an endocrinologist so a clear diagnosis can be made. My key vitamin levels were tested a couple of weeks ago and were or fine.

Looking back, the hyper symptoms have been there for about 2-3 months and my TSH has been bobbing about within normal range.

[Jaydee1507 Administrator in reply to L154C0]

Both B12 & folate were less than optimal and may be causing you symptoms. See suggestion to begin a B complex here: healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

If vit D wasnt tested then try this test:

NHS easy postal kit vitamin D test £31 via

vitamindtest.org.uk

[pennyannie]

Hello L154C0 :

When the immune system start attacking the thyroid several different antibodies can be found in the bloods - and if any are over the range and therefore positive - this the medical evidence of the diagnosis.

Your result shows positive antibodies for TPO and Tg AB - both these AB are suggestive of Hashimoto's Auto Immune disease -

To arrange a private blood test for the Graves antibody - I believe it is a run by Medichecks - and found under the antibody section on their website - it is another venous blood draw and costs around £100 for this one bio marker.

Surely the NHS are running your blood tests as well - and trust they come up will come up with the same diagnosis.

So currently you have a diagnosis of Hashimoto's and with your T3 in range and a T4 just outside its range - I'm hoping your Graves comes to nothing with a negative reading.

All things Hashimoto's - thyroidpharmacist.com

All things Graves - elaine-moore.com

[L154C0 in reply to pennyannie]

Hi Pennyannie

Would you expect much higher T4 and T3 if it were Graves rather than a hyper phase of Hashimotos?

I just went back through my GP records online and my TSH has been between 2.5 and 3.5 (0.5-5 range) for about 2 years. No T4/T3 was done obviously as it’s within range, but the symptoms of hypo were appearing. Being a woman of a certain age, these were put down to menopause.

I’ve learnt so much from you all here over the last two weeks. Thank you for helping fathom it out.

[pennyannie in reply to L154C0]

Yes - most cases of Graves present with much higher levels of T3 and T4 and double / treble the top of the range readings with TSI - Thyroid Stimulating Immunoglobulin taking control of their thyroid and thyroid hormone production.

However there are some Graves patients who carry the over riding Graves Blocking ab and for those the T3 and T4 may not seem too high and in or just out of the ranges but the results are generally inverted with the T3 higher than the T4 which can cause internal, very uncomfortable symptoms and pressure.

With Graves at any given time you can have Blocking or Stimulating ab vying for control of the thyroid - and these 2 extremes can also cancel and burn each out, leaving the patient feeling relatively normal, if given enough time -

With your TSH rising over these last couple of years with increasing symptoms of hypothyroidism it reads more as a normal sequence of events -

with Graves the TSH does not rise - but tends to go low / suppressed which generally speaking sees an increase in thyroid hormone production - over and above the range.

Hope that helps a bit - an ultra scan is sometimes suggested when blood test results are not seem conclusive or clinical symptoms appear ' at odds ' with the diagnosis offered.