Thyroid auto antibody test

[MummytoA]

Hi all,

Interested in hearing other's experiences with a positive test for thyroid auto antibodies.

For ages I've been exhausted - regardless of sleep - as well as being bloated, overweight. irritable, suffering with brain fog, forgetfulness and low mood.

I'm suffering with some hair loss to my hairline and you can see my scalp through my hair when I'm stood under a bathroom light. My eyebrows and leg hair rarely grows.

My thyroid is low but my doctor says not enough to medicate.
I've just had the results of an autoantibody test, which is positive - which my doctor says means I am at greater risk of thyroid disease in the future.

I've got to book another blood test in 6 months.

What I'm wondering is has anyone had similar but pushed for medication now?
I feel I have all the symptoms of thyroid disease already and don't want to wait 6 months and feel worse.

Thanks

I am waiting to hear the results of my antibody test too. Have all the same symptoms as you list, maternal grandmother also had hypothyroidism and I’ve been subclinical for the past 5years. Have also been warned that unless wildly out of range will be expected to wait and retest (again) in 6 months despite having explained that the symptoms are debilitating. Will watch your post with interest….

I ended up in immunology accidentally - was meant to be in dermatology! Apparently they were quiet(!) so they did a load of blood tests and that’s how mine came back
a while after that my T4 dropped and I started medication
honestly? I don’t feel any different

My antibody test was positive and my thyroid level was borderline for about a year then its like it all of a sudden just went and my tsh was 84. It was only after I was medicated that I realised how unwell I had been its like my brain cleared and I could remember words and didn't struggle with full sentences anymore. I think I'd just got so use to being unwell it was like my new normal and I didn't notice anymore. I don't think you would be unreasonable to ask for a low dose of levothyroxine.

If you start medication it will correct your thyroid hormone levels but it won't stop the symptoms that are caused by the autoimmune response.

People can be medicated for years with thyroid hormones stable at optimal levels and still have weight gain, tiredness, brain fog, lack of ability to.adapt to temperature changes etc etc.

Look into the thyroid diet. Find out if you are sensitive to gluten - many people with Hashimotos are.
Basically you need to reduce stress and eat an anti-inflammatory diet (with some adjustments for throid and you may also need tongue up gluten) to reduce the autoimmune activity. If you don't do this you are at more risk if developing other autoimmune conditions too.

Keep your ferritin levels up, and Vitamin D. Eat 2 Brazil nuts a day for selenium.

Yeah its definitely not a miracle drug. I can definitely tell when my levels have gone of again though so its doing something but im still completely exhausted and seem to hold on to weight no matter what the diet since being diagnosed

Is their a specific reason to keep your ferritin levels up or do you mean just because it makes you feel crap. My ferritin is always low

Can I ask if you remember your antibody level? Mine is 317 and the range should be 0 - 24.9 according to.the lab notes.

I feel you've summed up my situation well with finishing sentences etc and that it's become my new normal.

I'm.so tired of being tired!

Thank you, this is useful

It also makes you feel crap but also people with Hashimotos seem to struggle to keep it up.

Lots of articles out there, this is one:
https://thyroiduk.org/if-you-are-hypothyroid/the-importance-of-vitamins-and-minerals-hypo/importance-of-iron-and-ferritin-in-hypothyroidism/

I can't remember but I think it was similar to yours arount the 300 mark

Thankyou i appreciate it, its crazy how little explanation you get from drs. When I got diagnosed i was pretty much told you have hypothyroidism here's some levothyroxine and you will feel better we will retest you in 3 months to see if we need to alter the dose. Bye don't let the door hit you in the arse on the way out

I've had the same for years. Had every test going and been told 'You can take some iron tablets but your thyroid levels are fine, there is nothing wrong with you'.

Meanwhile for years I've been struggling to manage my energy levels, lose weight, hang onto my hair etc. Recently had the antibody test repeated and it's sky high so finally I've done serious research and the penny has dropped that there is autoimmune activity and to feel well I have to try and lower that. I really really didn't want to give up gluten without hard evidence, but maybe I will have to. I do wish I'd taken more notice of all this several years ago.

Almost 500 😬

A friend has suggested looking for a functional medicine practitioner who will actually help look at diet etc and take the time to help achieve wellness. Not just tell you everything must be wonderful now you have the levothyroxine.

I would love that because I haven't been told anything about diet or anything really. I dont think gps knowledge on this is great. Even now im diagnosed my dr still misses the symptoms when my thyroid levels go of again. A few months back I'd told my gp I feel like im getting dementia it might be my thyroid levels and he insisted my levels where fine and it was just srress/anxiety and I had my 6 monthly blood test the other week and surprise surprise my levels where of.