Antibodies Testing and Medications

[dustybrown]

I was curious if certain medications could mess up the results of any thyroid antibodies testing? I know certain medications can cause your TSH and your Free T3 and Free T4 to go haywire. I was just wondering if they could do the same to interfere with antibody readings? Does anyone know?  

[TamraW]

Post your FT3, FT4 and TSH as well as your antibody levels. The ANA is used for many diseases. I do believe it is used to diagnose certain auto-immunities that sometimes go with Hashi/Graves.

I had an endo tell me that antibodies can come and go depending on the day. I don't necessarily believe her, but I do believe they are stronger and weaker at times. Coffee, unfortunately, sends my antibodies into a rage. Selenium has helped calm them.

:) Tamra

[dustybrown]

I don't have the number off hand, but I was told that my thyroglobulin antibody was slightly elevated, but still within normal limits. My ANA test for autoimmune disease was elevated as well, but normal- I am being monitored by my Rheumatologist. My Free T3 was high, but my Free T4 was normal. My TSH is normal, but it seems to fluctuate every time I get the test done (only within a point or two within the last year).

My hormones are low, my adrenals are a little fatigued and I am on several different medications for arthritis and nerve damage. I am wondering if the medications could be subduing the proper readings, or if I am just a ticking time bomb waiting to explode. I am only 33 with a history of autoimmune and thyroid disease in my family. I am so confused.

[stella5349]

To me, it makes solid logical sense that anything we put in our bodies can elevate or decrease hormone levels ( regardless of ??) or antibodies.

These are components embedded into our bodies. All of us have autoimmune antibodies - whether they "rage" or not-  is the root of a disease.

Selenium is a known supplement that "can" suppress thyroid Hashi antibodies. I would lay my life down that there must be something that can make them RAGE too. What? - well, that was never anything I spend any time on discovering.

Anti depressants are known inhibators of thyroid levels - they do not only alter the TSH but will alter FT3 and FT4 and cell rejuvanation (sp?). Its a total break down of many things.

I remember a quote my aunt years ago said to me. "Prescriptions can help - but you are always putting something in your body that will effect another source!" The more you put in the control one issue the more it will damage something else. That's how I look at my own health - simplified.

[Barb135]

There are several things that can cause TSH to vary; however, I've never heard of anything that raises/lowers FT4 and FT3, except T4/T3 meds and the thyroid itself - depending on whether or not it's producing hormone. I mean there are things that will affect them, such as conversion factors, etc, but I don't believe unrelated medications will.

I also don't think there's anything that will change the antibody test.  It's not a fasting blood test; even though, it's often collected when one has been fasting, if other tests are being performed as well.  I believe that if you have antibodies, you have them and if you don't, you don't.  There aren't any meds that are going to "give them to you" or "take them away".

[dawnangela]

I haven't read or heard that it can, but Ive never really thought about it either, that is a good question tho, someone might know more, id'e be interested as well in this:)