Thyroid antibodies? Can someone help me with these result

[Calypso321]

Hi everyone,

I’ve had irregular cycles and bleeding since the summer, so my GP sent off for some tests to investigate. There appears to be some abnormal results, but my GP days this wouldn’t be causing me any symptoms. Can someone explain it to me?

26/08/2024
TSH: 4.9

05/11/2024
TSH: 2.87 (0.27-42)
Free T3: 4.9 (3.1-6.8)
Free Thyroxine: 14 (12-22)

Thyroglobulin Antibodies: 1,013 (0-115)
Thyroid peroxidase antibodies: 462 (0-34)

The antibodies look really high to me, but the GP says they’re not that elevated and aren’t a problem.

Help!

Hello, hypothyroid here 😌I ‘had antibodies’ for 2 decades before it became an issue. It basically means your thyroid is under attack from your body; it’s an autoimmune condition. Over time, your thyroid will start to fail, but if you have regular blood tests your doc will be able to spot it. It’s not that fast; or wasn’t in my case. I’m now on a very small dose of levothyroxine per day and all my hormone levels are normal. Badically, antibodies alive will not prompt treatment…it’ll just be watch and wait. I used to get quite frustrated with that but if your thyroid hormones are normal it means your gland is coping so no need

Antibodies’alone’ that should say!

You have hashimotos, which is autoimmune thyroiditis. Your tsh may stay stable for years, before you need medication. My thyroid went underactive in 2011, I was medicated with thyroxine but it continued to get worse so had to keep adjusting the dose. By 2019 I had a goitre(lump in neck) ultrasound then showed it was hashimotos disease, it makes no difference to the type of medication you require and most Dr's don't know much about it. To get your antibodies to go down you can try things like autoimmune diets, no alcohol, going gluten, dairy and sugar free etc.

Also I only have half my thyroid left, the antibodies have attacked it so much, my thyroxine dose is now 125mcg, but my levels go up and down a lot.

@GG1986 did you have any pain in your thyroid before you were diagnosed if you don't mind my asking? I notice pain in the middle and left of my thyroid when applying neck cream even the lightest touch - am seeing GP next week and have to get a blood test in a few weeks and possible ultrasound. Thank you.

No I don't think it hurt. Make sure Dr refers you for ultrasound. Good luck

A TSH over 2.5 suggests a thyroid that is struggling, and your result of just under five is underactive. Are you getting any other symptoms, eg tiredness, colder than normal, flat mood ?
If so then ask for a trial of medication, you can start on a low 25 mg dose of thyroxine, and if that helps you may only need that low dose for some time, but over time you will need more thyroxine as it will gradually be more damaged by the antibodies.