Antibodies

[miles9951]

I have Hashimoto's and I would like to know the consequences of having a higher Antibody count? Does it mean you need more Synthroid ? Is you auto-immune system killing your thyroid faster? Will your symptoms be more pronounced? If your Antibody count is very low does that mean you don't have Hashimoto's anymore but just hypothyroidism?

[Mark Lupo, M.D.]

the antbody levels do not predict/determine the course.  selenium can help - the blood sugar question needs more research..  thyroid replacement is based on thyroid levels, not antibody levels.

[borninquisitive]

Treatment will be based on your thyroid hormone levels and not the antibodies. Selenium is reported to reduce TPO antibodies but there is a current literature that is suggesting that Selenium may lead to diabetes. I am someone who takes Selenium.

I have read literature stating that antibodies alone, in absence of thyroid dysfunction, can cause symptoms.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/eutils/escan.fcgi?db=PubMed&uid=15288851&dopt=Citation&field=Titl...

http://www.jrheum.com/abstracts/abstracts04/2036.html

Good luck!