AB bloodwork

[CamB]

I have been taking synthroid for about 12 years now .200 a day I just had my blood work done a few weeks ago because the doctor said that my thyroid was extremely enlarged.  My blood work came back TSH 11.039, FreeT4 1.47,Free T3 2.6 but my antibodies were TPO ab>1000(Normal being 0-34)and antithyrobulin ab163 (normal being 0-40)  I have called my doctor several times and can't get anyone to return my phone calls.  Just wondering if anyone here has had a simular situation.  The antibody reading seems a little high to me.  Thanks in advance to anyone with information that might ease my mind a little.

[GravesLady]

Antibodies have no influences on thyroid levels.  Once we have antibodies we will most likely always have them. There is no cure for antibodies or treatment, so there is nothing that can be done about them.  They may wax and wane, but may last for a long time, if not indefinite and they could go into hiding/remission, only to show up again at a later time.

A TSH of 11.039 when taking  med. dose of .200 states that your thyroid is starting the process of total non-function and you need a higher med. dose to meet the non-functioning (thyroid hormone) requirements.

[ChitChatNine]

What are antibodies in a thyroid bloodwork?  I understand antibodies in response to vaccine, allergies, etc. but not quite sure how they fit into thyroid and being high or low ?  .. what are they a response to ?

As many know, this is ALL new to me ... I like to learn about it .. I had part. thyroid on 1/9 with normal bloodwork and on Synthroid for supression bcz of some small cancer found after the surgery and bcz of nodule on the other side intact.

C~

[GravesLady]

One of the functions of the immune system is to protect the body by responding to invading microorganisms, such as viruses or bacteria, by producing antibodies or sensitized lymphocytes (types of white blood cells). Under normal conditions, an immune response cannot be triggered against the cells of one\'s own body. In certain cases, however, immune cells make a mistake and attack the very cells that they are meant to protect, such as the thyroid. This can lead to a variety of autoimmune diseases, such as Hashimoto's and Graves' Disease . They encompass a broad category of related diseases in which the person\'s immune system attacks his or her own tissue.

Particular autoimmune disorders are frequently classified into organ-specific disorders and non-organ-specific types. Autoimmune processes can have various results, for example, slow destruction of a specific type of cells or tissue, stimulation of an organ into excessive growth, or interference in its function. Organs and tissues frequently affected include the endocrine gland, such as thyroid, pancreas, and adrenal glands; components of the blood, such as red blood cells; and the connective tissues, skin, muscles, and joints. Some autoimmune diseases fall between the two types. Patients may experience several organ-specific diseases at the same time. There is, however little overlap between the two ends of the spectrum.
In organ-specific disorders, the autoimmune process is directed mostly against one organ. Examples, with the organ affected, include Hashimoto\'s thyroiditis (thyroid gland), pernicious anemia (stomach), Addison\'s disease (adrenal glands), and insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (pancreas).

In non-organ-specific disorders, autoimmune activity is widely spread throughout the body. Examples include rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE or lupus), and dermatomyositis.

Antibodies can damage the thyroid gland and affect its function, and they can't stop them from damaging the thyroid - there is no direct cure or treatrment for  antibodies.  Its the thyroid that is treated from the damages of the antibodies.  

Hope this explains it.

[ChitChatNine]

Yes, I understand it now .. thank you for taking the time to post it out for me.  I really do understand it.

Cheryl

[ChitChatNine]

Is the ANA testing the antibody testing?  Stupid me {{see me blushing}}} thought of this in the middle of the night and realized the two are connected & I have alot of exp. with ANA testing as both my daughters had bad bouts of a reactive arthritis and were tested for ANA (which was neg.) along with all the other tests as you mentioned for Lups *double stranded DNA testing was negative* and Sed Rates and all that stuff.  My daughter had what was called post-streptococcal reactive arthritis from a strep germ that went askew in her body *unoticed ro from a bad strep test not take correctly* and it caused an autoimmune response mos. later and manifested into this very uncommon type of arthritis which resembles Rheumatic Fever but somewhat different.  Anyway, it lasted 2 yrs and went away.  They were ruling out Juv Arthritis at the time, too.

C~

[GravesLady]

You are not a "stupid me" ! and there is no such thing as a stupid question. We are all here to learn and share.

Antinuclear antibody (ANA) panel,  test is used when autoimmune disease is suspected particularly systemic lupus erythematosus). This test can also be performed when a patient has unexplained symptoms such as arthritis, rashes, or chest pain.  Normally there is no detectable ANA in the blood  which would produce a negative test. However, sometimes people without any specific disease may have low levels of ANA for no apparent reason.
The presence of ANA in the blood may indicate: SLE (systemic lupus erythematosus), drug-induced lupus erythematosus, collagen vascular disease,
myositis (inflammatory muscle disease), Sjogren's syndrome, chronic liver disease,
rheumatoid arthritis, systemic sclerosis (scleroderma) and of course thyroid disease.

Hope both of your daughters continue in remission.

GL