Antibodies and normal tsh

[katief1980]

Hi there
I have high antibodies - 604 and normal TSH 1.8 measured some time ago alongside hpyo symptoms which are getting worse. I have seen an encodrinologist who says 'come back in three months...' for more tsh and t3/t4 tests. I am not medicated and there seems to be no way that they will even entertain this idea.
Whilst I was having an ultrasound on my neck last month the doctor said that he could see my thyroid antibodies were 'active'. Does anyone know what this means and more importantly how long it takes people (Although i know everyone is different) to go from having high antibodies to having elevated or low TSH levels?
Many you for any help you can give me.

[mtkst13]

which antibodies?  antiTPO?  antithyroglobulin?

maybe the technician saw inflammation (heterogenous echotexture) and nodules during your ultrasound.  that might be what was meant.  do you have the report?

i had no antiTPO and a positive antithyroglobulin.  my thyroid destruction was pretty quick, and i went from normal to very hyper to very hypo in a very quick timeframe.  from what i've read from other posts, it seems like people who have elevated antiTPO have more of a gradual destruction that could last for years, meaning that you will slowly become hypothyroid.  since your thyroid function is normal now, it appears that you may have a slow progression.  you'll need to be monitored...that's for sure.

[goolarra]

When your TSH was measured at 1.8, did the endo also test free T3 (FT3) and free T4 (FT4)?  It sounds like he just did antibodies and TSH.  Is rhat correct?

Well, the "active" antibodies statement is a bit curious.  Antibodies can't be seen, even on an ultrasound.  I assume what he meant was that he saw thyroid nodules, which are common in Hashimoto's thyroiditis.  That is what your elevated antibodies indicate you have.  It's the most common cause of hypo in the U.S.  As you said, everyone is different...impossible to say how long it takes the antibodies to do their dirty work.