thyroid antibodies

hi

I'm new, got these results today

thyroid peroxidase ab H . 1000 IU/mL  ( <6 )
thyroglobulin ab H 666 IU/mL  ( 1000, but are usually elevated.



The doctor has started me on 50mcg of throxine a day to start with a blood test review in 6 weeks, an ultra sound has been done, and the full report is not in, but appearance is textured, not smooth as it should be.

the doc says hashimotos..........

I am unaware of just how high is high in the various levels for the throid antibodies are as far as the hypothroidism is concerned? Any advice or information would be appreciated in decoded the above report etc. many thanks

[goolarra]

TPOab and TGab reference ranges are both about <40.  So, yours at 1,000 and 666 are quite high, and I agree with your doctor...it looks a lot like Hashi's.

Did you also have thyroid blood tests?  Free T3, free T4 and TSH?  If so, please post them with their reference ranges.

Without knowing FT3 and FT4, it's a bit hard to say, but it looks like your doctor is doing the right thing...starting you off on a relatively low dose and retesting at six weeks.

The levels of the antibodies do not indicate the severity of the hypo.  Elevated antibodies go to work destroying your thyroid function and will continue this attack until the thyroid is basically "killed" off.  You can have antibodies for years before enough thyroid funtion is destroyed to make you hypo, or it can happen quite quickly.  (I think that was your last question???)

[effie66]

thanks I dont know about the other 2 levels, however the ultra sound is back, and they are of the belief system, that the thyroid is ok, which is a plus. overall, I am dealing well with everything, and the chat and reading, is assisting, into getting into the right groove to manage the situation. Good news is......we have an answer and something to manage.

thanks so much for your comments, will keep you updated. cheers

[effie66]

i did find out the T4 the only one the doctor tested for, which was 8.1 with the scope of normal being between 9 and 18.  The doc says i should be 15 or 16.

cheers

[TamraW]

Hashimoto's for sure!

Doc should be testing and treating FT3 and FT4 levels. Hashimoto's will eventually cause hypothyroidism and your free levels will bottom out without treatment.

Good thing you are on the Levo. Your T4 is too low, but testing the frees is more accurate.

You should get the tests ever 4-8 weeks, depending on the endo. You should get your medication adjusted accordingly. If, after your meds are raised to the desired levels, and you still feel tired, unable to lose weight, etc. then T3 meds like Cytomel may be necessary.

:) Tamra