Thyroid antibody levels:

[MrsM]

what would a level of 60 mean if the reference range is 0-6. Would someone with this level of antibodies be displaying hypothyroid symptoms and if so would their GP be within guidelines to treat with medication?

[RedApple Administrator]

In the NHS, the only tests that seem to matter are TSH and FT4. If both of these are within range, GPs are unlikely to consider treatment regardless of symptoms and antibody levels.

The thyroid antibodies test is not usually even done until the TSH test is outside the reference range. Even then, some GPs don't actually bother testing for antibodies. I suspect there are many, many people taking thyroid medication every day of their lives for umpteen years who have never had an antibody test.

So in answer to your questions, a level of 60 with a reference range of 0-6 might indicate 'low level' autoimmunity. It is not of itself a reason to offer treatment for thyroid dysfunction, even if the patient has symptoms that could be attributed to thyroid dysfunction. At best, it might be used as an argument for regular monitoring of thyroid function.

According to NHS Tayside (see link below) "a certain low number of patients with thyroid antibodies develop hypothyroidism over years if not decades."

dundee.ac.uk/medther/tayend...