Should I treat the presence of Thyroid Peroxidase?

[lilynne]

Hello
I'm new to this forum and I would really appreciate it if someone could give me some good advice.

I'm 24 years old female living in the UK and have been suffering from hypothyroid symptoms for more than 3 years but doctors will not prescribe me medication as my TSH bloodtest which was out of range are now normal despite no medication. I tested positive for thyroid antibodies.

The following are my blood test results.
17/02/2006
Serum Free T4 level = 8 pmol/L
Serum TSH level = 4.52 mui/L
No antibodies done
03/08/2006
Serum Free T4 level = 10 pmol/L
Serum TSH level = 4.22 miu/L
Thyroid peroxidase numeric value supplied = 19.3 ku/L
05/02/2007
Serum Free T4 level = 13 pmol/L
Serum TSH level = 2.79 miu/L
Serum potassium =3.5 mmol/L
No antibodies done
Serum bicarbonate = 21mmol/L

I am really confused as to whether I have Hashimoto's or not, because based on what I have read on the internet, if you test positive for thyroid peroxidase, you have Hashimoto's regardless the level.

My symptoms of hypothyroid (high loss of hair, tiredness, fatigue, pain in joints, can't concentrate, cold at hands and feet, etc) have actually improved since the first testing of TSH back in Feb 2006.Infact, my TSH is now normal although still have some hypo symptoms.

My question is, based on my blood tests and the fact that I tested positive for thyroid peroxidase, should I be on medication now despite my hypo symptoms improving?
If not, what would you recommend me doing?

Thanks!
Lynne

[Mark Lupo, M.D.]

Looks like you have mild (subclinical) hypothyroidism due to Hashimoto's -- there are different ranges for the antibody testing, so I assume 19.3ku/L was high in your case.

Given this, and your symtpoms, a trial of thyroid medication could be considered despite the improving TSH.  A TSH above 3 is likely abnormal for your age, but there is great debate surrounding this issue

[swim57]

A related discussion, TSH , free t4,both on lower end of normal was started.