Hasimotos Diagnosis

[ehicks]

My doctor recently informed me I "may" have Hasimotos due to the following test results:

TSH = 5.93
T4 = 13
T3  = 4.8
TPO Ab = over 1000
TG Gb = 146.4

I have been put on Thyroxin to see if this helps my sluggish thyroid.

My question is why my TPO antibodies are over 1000 when they should be below 5.6.  I am concerned the symptoms are being treated without finding out the cause.

Should I get a second opinion or are there further tests that can be done?

Many thanks

Emma

[stella5349]

You "may" have Hashimoto? with TPOab's in the 1000's? - that's scarey. You do have Hashi and yes you can suppress them. It may take patience and time.

see this post

http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Thyroid-Disorders/Switched-from-Synthroid-to-Nature-Throid-and-new-test-results-questions/show/1244334

it may give you some tips on what to approach your doctor on. Its a stab in the dark if s/her can tell for sure if you are autoimmune but you will be more informed reading through some of those things regardless.

[ehicks]

Thank all for your comments.  They have been very helpful.

Barb
My doctor started me on a low dose - 50mg tablets, once a day for 4-6 weeks when I shall be retested.  No ultra sound planned - what would that be for?

So there's no way to stop the antibodies killing off the thyroid?  I just have to take the hormone replacement permanently?

The reference ranges for the test results are:
TSH - 0.40 - 4.00 mU/L (mine were 5.93 then 4.61 when retested)
Free T4 - 9.0 - 19.0 pmol/L (mine were 13)
Free T3 - 2.6 - 5.7 pmol/L (mine were 4.8)
TPO Ab - 1000)
TG Ab - <4.1 IU/mL (mine were 146.4)

Another thing that worries me is that with hypothyroidism, I understand I should have a slow metabolism, feel the cold, etc.  I always feel the cold but I have a very high metabolism, find it hard to put on weight and need to eat constantly.  I also drink and urinate very often.  I have been tested for diabetes so I think perhaps I am hypoglaecemic.  However, I am generally a very fit and healthy person! :)

So if I have understood correctly, the antibodies are from the Hashis disease which is just one of those things that happens, possibly heriditary, but not really caused by anything?

Thanks again.

Emma

[goolarra]

I agree with Barb.  Your TPOab and TGab are both elevated, which indicates that you do have Hashi's, and this IS the cause of your hypo.  You need look no further.

Hashi's is treatable, but not curable.  The thyroxine will not "help your sluggish thyroid".  The antibodies will continue to destroy thyroid function continuouslly until your thyroid is "dead", which can take months, years or decades depending on the individual.  The thyroxine will replace the thyroid hormone that your thyroid can no longer produce because of this disease.  Every cell in your body requires thyroid hormone for metabolism, so treating the symptoms is of the utmost importance.
  

[Barb135]

I hate to tell you that your doctor is wrong about the antibodies attacking your brain, or other parts of your body.  Thyroid antibodies attack ONLY the thyroid; once they have "killed" the thyroid, they will go into remission; they will NOT move on to attack something else.  Lupus is the autoimmune that will attack various parts of your body and apparently you don't have that.  

I also disagree that MOST people with Hashi's are gluten and dairy intolerant.  It's true that SOME are, and for those, it's important to go gluten or dairy free, but for those who are not intolerant, there's no need to cut out entire food groups.  

She's correct that if you have one autoimmune, it's very possible to get another (or more).  I have Hashi's and pernicious anemia.  

[river1233]

I have been recently dx with hashimotos also.  Elevated TPO and TG ab.  Also similar labs as yours.  Dr. put me on Naturethroid and raised me to 3 gr so far and it has made me feel better.  She also said that hashis is an autoimmune disease and that people with this are prone to OTHER autoimmune diseases like RA, lupus, MS, Addisons etc.  She also said that most people with hashis are gluten and dairy intolerant.  She wants me to drastically change my diet to help calm down the immune system.  She also said that the immune system can attack the brain causing worsening symptoms of brain fog, memory loss etc.  

Just lovely, huh!  Once the antibodies are turned on, they stay on the rest of your life, so I'm told.  We will have to do whatever we can to keep the immune system calm so that it doesn't destroy any other tissue.  If you like, we can stay in touch with each other and share what we learn.  Good luck.