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Is your thyroid related to autoimmune disease?
One thing I've been curious about since being diagnosed with multi-nodule thyroid - could your thyroid be linked in some way to an auto-immune disease. I'm asking because I have 2 sisters with auto-immune problems. One has had lupus for about 10 years now and the other we lost last year to vasculitis. I don't want to give in to the worry, but it's always at the back of my mind - especially now with my thyroid trouble. So, was just wondering if anyone knows of any correllation between the two - thyroid disorder and autoimmune disease. Thanks in advance.
I have the same problem - I think my immune system abandoned ship sometime in the 90's. :-)
Try some zinc lozenges (Zicam). I didn't believe they worked either but I've managed to avoid being sick for the past 6 weeks and everyone around me has had colds/flu. Usually I'd be downing antibiotics for bronchitis and be sicker than a dog and I'm doing okay, not even a sniffle. Worth trying.
Try some zinc lozenges (Zicam). I didn't believe they worked either but I've managed to avoid being sick for the past 6 weeks and everyone around me has had colds/flu. Usually I'd be downing antibiotics for bronchitis and be sicker than a dog and I'm doing okay, not even a sniffle. Worth trying.
LOL serving Synthroid. This is my 3rd week so far on Synthroid, up to 150 mg. To my knowledge I haven't been tested for antibodies, but I haven't seen the endo yet. Yes, I am calling every week to see if any cancellations. Immune system sucks right now. Usually I don't get sick, but in the past 2 weeks I've gotten a bad cold with a touch of bronchial infection and today am just getting over a nasty bout of stomach flu. It's barely 2007 and I'm almost out of sick days. I know, I'm whining.
There is a correlation between antibodies and thyroid disease, depending upon the type of problem you have. I know that Graveslady is the expert on this. Perhaps she will see your post and give you more info. I have an autoimmune thyroid disease called Hashimoto's disease. I do know that autoimmune diseases can involve any number of the body's systems. Did your doctor give you particular information on your problem...whether just your thyroid was involved or if other systems were involved?
Thank you. I also had grandmother with thyroid troubles, can't remember what specifically because I was 4 when she passed. That was interesting what you said, though, about antibodies attacking your thyroid. I'll have to remember that when I see the endocrinologist next month. But like my Mom always says, don't borrow trouble.
Hello Ladies,
I have Autoimmune Graves' and possibility of beginning stages of Hashi (it won't go full blown due to being on meds., unless I stop taking them.
Being tested positive for "thyroid antibodies" but have a normal TSH, usually indicates that the thyroid is in the process of autoimmune failure. Not failed yet, and not failed enough to register in the standard TSH thyroid test, but in the process of failing. Therefore, some time in the future you might need treatment, so it is suggested to be tested on an annual bases so as to stay on top of the issue, catching it before going too hypo/hyper, where it could make symptoms worse and take longer to regulate levels to where you feel your best.
Here is some information for you that should answer your question and maybe a little more.
Thyroid antibodies may remain positive for years, and do not provide an indication of whether the person has normal or abnormal thyroid function. Furthermore, some patients with Hashimoto's disease may have negative levels of circulating antibodies, and conversely, patients with positive levels of thyroid antibodies may never develop thyroid disease during their lifetime. It is generally not useful to repeatedly measure levels of thyroid antibodies in the blood. Although the presence of antibodies predicts a slightly higher rate of progression to hypothyroidism, some studies suggest that a slightly higher TSH in the mid upper normal range might convey the same prognostic information.
http://www.mythyroid.com/bloodtests.html
What can be done to prevent, lower, or get rid of thyroid antibodies?
There are not really any lifestyle changes or therapies that can prevent or eliminate thyroid antibodies. It is important for patients and their doctors to be aware of them when they are present and to work to minimize their effect on thyroid function.
Are thyroid antibodies part of routine testing?
No, they are usually only indicated when a patient has an enlarged thyroid or symptoms suggesting thyroid dysfunction. Routine screening of the thyroid is usually accomplished using thyroid tests such as TSH and T4.
http://www.labtestsonline.org/understanding/analytes/thyroid_antibodies/faq.html
N.B. Requests for autoantibodies should be selective and relevant to the clinical circumstances. There is rarely any merit in requesting a particular autoantibody if there is no clinical evidence of the disease(s) with which it is associated.
http://www.rlbuht.nhs.uk/jps/antithyroidthyroglobinperoxidase__i.htm
Johns Hopkins Autoimmune Disease Research Center
Currently, there is no treatment capable of stopping the autoimmune process leading to Hashimoto's thyroiditis.
Presence of these antibodies is not enough for a diagnosis of Hashimoto
I have Autoimmune Graves' and possibility of beginning stages of Hashi (it won't go full blown due to being on meds., unless I stop taking them.
Being tested positive for "thyroid antibodies" but have a normal TSH, usually indicates that the thyroid is in the process of autoimmune failure. Not failed yet, and not failed enough to register in the standard TSH thyroid test, but in the process of failing. Therefore, some time in the future you might need treatment, so it is suggested to be tested on an annual bases so as to stay on top of the issue, catching it before going too hypo/hyper, where it could make symptoms worse and take longer to regulate levels to where you feel your best.
Here is some information for you that should answer your question and maybe a little more.
Thyroid antibodies may remain positive for years, and do not provide an indication of whether the person has normal or abnormal thyroid function. Furthermore, some patients with Hashimoto's disease may have negative levels of circulating antibodies, and conversely, patients with positive levels of thyroid antibodies may never develop thyroid disease during their lifetime. It is generally not useful to repeatedly measure levels of thyroid antibodies in the blood. Although the presence of antibodies predicts a slightly higher rate of progression to hypothyroidism, some studies suggest that a slightly higher TSH in the mid upper normal range might convey the same prognostic information.
http://www.mythyroid.com/bloodtests.html
What can be done to prevent, lower, or get rid of thyroid antibodies?
There are not really any lifestyle changes or therapies that can prevent or eliminate thyroid antibodies. It is important for patients and their doctors to be aware of them when they are present and to work to minimize their effect on thyroid function.
Are thyroid antibodies part of routine testing?
No, they are usually only indicated when a patient has an enlarged thyroid or symptoms suggesting thyroid dysfunction. Routine screening of the thyroid is usually accomplished using thyroid tests such as TSH and T4.
http://www.labtestsonline.org/understanding/analytes/thyroid_antibodies/faq.html
N.B. Requests for autoantibodies should be selective and relevant to the clinical circumstances. There is rarely any merit in requesting a particular autoantibody if there is no clinical evidence of the disease(s) with which it is associated.
http://www.rlbuht.nhs.uk/jps/antithyroidthyroglobinperoxidase__i.htm
Johns Hopkins Autoimmune Disease Research Center
Currently, there is no treatment capable of stopping the autoimmune process leading to Hashimoto's thyroiditis.
Presence of these antibodies is not enough for a diagnosis of Hashimoto
Hi
When i went to the docs re my thyroid blood results i was told that my tsh levels etc were within the normal range, however i had a high amount of antibodies which were attacking my thyroid and the doctor said i had an autoimmune disease, I also had an ultrasound and have a multinodular goitre. I know that my nan also had an autoimmune disease and her thyroid results were always borderline!
I too am confused with this issue and i will be asking my doctor on thursday re this issue, so i will try and keep you posted as to what she said!
When i went to the docs re my thyroid blood results i was told that my tsh levels etc were within the normal range, however i had a high amount of antibodies which were attacking my thyroid and the doctor said i had an autoimmune disease, I also had an ultrasound and have a multinodular goitre. I know that my nan also had an autoimmune disease and her thyroid results were always borderline!
I too am confused with this issue and i will be asking my doctor on thursday re this issue, so i will try and keep you posted as to what she said!
According to my messed-up family, yeah.
Mother: Hashi's, huge goiter, tons of nodules (many cold) - won't have surgery so we don't know if it's cancer
Sisters: four have Hashi's, three were cancerous the other's was precancerous
Daughter: Hashi's and precancer
Me: cancer, going to bug the endo tomorrow for anitbody test
Son: no nodules (as of two years ago), showing hypo symptoms and developing Type I diabetes, will ask his endo to test for antibodies.
Yeah, we serve Synthroid at the family reunions! :-)
Mother: Hashi's, huge goiter, tons of nodules (many cold) - won't have surgery so we don't know if it's cancer
Sisters: four have Hashi's, three were cancerous the other's was precancerous
Daughter: Hashi's and precancer
Me: cancer, going to bug the endo tomorrow for anitbody test
Son: no nodules (as of two years ago), showing hypo symptoms and developing Type I diabetes, will ask his endo to test for antibodies.
Yeah, we serve Synthroid at the family reunions! :-)
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