Can someone help me with results of a Thyroid Peroxidase Antibodies test result?

[depauwbd]

I received my test results on my Thyroid Peroxidase Antibodies test and it was 810.4.  I have been leaving messages for my Endocrinologist and he has not returned my calls.  I only saw him once so I don't think he is that responsive  I went to see him for insomnia, weight gain, always being cold, depression, difficulty swallowing, mood swings, etc.  I cannot find any information on what a normal range is for this test.  Does any know?  Or can anyone tell me where to find this information?  

[vsmans]

If I can ask one more question, so the key is to find out first whether you have leaky gut or not?  ANd if you do, then heal the leaky gut (through diet or detox)?
A

[gimel]

Be aware that Endos are not necessarily good thyroid doctors.  Many specialize in diabetes, not thyroid.  Also, many have the "Immaculate TSH Belief" and only pay attention to that. That is very wrong If they go beyond TSH they will test Free T4 and tell you that a test result that falls anywhere within the range is adequate.  That is also wrong.  I explained above what a good thyroid doctor will do for you.  That is what you need.

There is no conclusive, scientific proof that Hashi's is caused by a leaky gut.  Everything seems to be based on anecdotal information.  So going gluten free is really questionable.  Also, any damage to the thyroid gland that has already occurred would not go away anyway.  So thyroid med is required.  Also, even if you needed to go gluten free, I don't think just 90% really works.

[vsmans]

thanks a lot for your advise really helpful!

[gimel]

Looking at the rest of your test results, I am somewhat surprised that your TSH has not risen farther; however, TSH is a pituitary hormone that is affected by so many things that at best it is only an indicator, not a diagnostic.  The most important diagnostics are symptoms, followed by tests for Free T4 and Free T3, which are the biologically active thyroid hormones.  

In addition it is important to understand that the range for TSH is based on large numbers of people.  Also, there is huge variation from one person to another in their TSH levels.  Studies have shown that a reference range for an individual would be 1/2 of the range for a group, for all of the thyroid tests.  So trying to use group test data and associated reference ranges, to diagnose an individual is not logical and does not work for many people.  Also, in establishing the upper limit for the TSH range, it is purposely set high enough to avoid false positive diagnoses.  As a result patients receive a lot of false negative diagnoses and erroneously end up having to live with their hypo symptoms.  

The errors in setting the TSH reference ranges have also corrupted the ranges for FT4 and FT3.  Those ranges are not based on test results from large groups of healthy adults with no known thyroid problems.  Instead the ranges are based on all the test data at a given lab, excluding only the data from those patients whose TSH exceeds its erroneously high upper range limit.  So the data base includes patients with central hypothyroidism and also patients who are already being treated for thyroid problems.  Accordingly test results that fall in the lower half of the ranges for FT4 and FT3 should be further evidence of possible hypothyroidism, not cause for denial of treatment.

Sorry if I belabored that, but I think it is important for you to know why you  reactions like you got from your doctor are wrong.  Instead, you should be started on thyroid medication and then gradually increased as needed to get your Free T4 up to the middle of its range, at least, and your Free T3 in the upper end of its range, or as needed to relieve symptoms.  That is what a good thyroid doctor will do:  treat a hypo patient clinically by testing and adjusting FT4 and FT3 as needed to relieve symptoms, without being constrained by resultant TSH levels.  Symptom relief should be all important, not just test results. You can get some good information from this link written by a good thyroid doctor.

http://www.hormonerestoration.com/Thyroid.html

One other thing I should mention is that hypo patients are frequently too low in the ranges for Vitamin D, B12 and ferritin.  If not tested for those, you should get that done.  D should be about 55-60, B12 in the very upper end of its range, and ferritin should be 70 minimum.  Low levels can cause symptoms.  Low D or low ferritin can adversely affect metabolism of thyroid hormone.  Since your FT4 is near the middle of its range, but your FT3 is only at 27 % of its range, it appears that your body is not adequately converting T4 to T3.  Low ferritin can be a contributor to that.  

In summary you need to get your doctor to recognize the above problems and realize that you are already hypothyroid with those symptoms and test results, and start you on thyroid meds and raise the dosage gradually as needed to relieve symptoms.  You also need to test the Vitamin D, B12 and ferritin and supplement as needed to optimize.  If your doctor does not want to do those things, then you need to get aggressive and push him to change his approach, or you will need to find a good thyroid doctor that will do what is needed.  


  

[vsmans]

thanks soooo much, this is extremely helpful!  I will go to my doctor and have a long list of questions for her :).  SHe is actually my gynaecologist and tested my blood based on my complaints.  so she does look at the complete picture and suggested thyroid scan.  However, I am not sure how far her knowledge is in terms of thyroid.  She did say, for now, no need to go to endocrinologist.  She suggest taking the 25 mg Levo for 3 months and then doing another thyroid scan and blood test.

Thanks a lot! I appreciate your response.  one more question, I am on FB on the Hashimoto 411 group, where everyone suggests at least gluten free diet but also AIP (auto-immune protocol) to heal leaky gut, what is your opinion on that?  AIP seems very overwhelming for now to me, but I am trying to eat mostly gluten free now (I would say I am eating 90 percent gluten free).

[gimel]

No need to be scared about having Hashimoto's Thyroiditis.  With Hashi's the autoimmune system erroneously identifies the thyroid gland as foreign to the body and produces antibodies to attack and eventually destroy the gland.  As this proceeds, the output of natural thyroid hormone is diminished and must be replaced by adequate thyroid medication.  

If your doctor told you that even though you have Hashi's your test results are within the "normal" range and nothing further is needed at present, then that is wrong, if you are already experiencing hypo symptoms.  So before going further, please tell us about any symptoms you have.

[vsmans]

thanks for your response gimel.  Symptoms: I am very tired a lot!  moody, anxiety, restless, and heavy menstruation

[vsmans]

so happy I found this website.  my doctor told me I have Hashimoto based on blood results and thyroid scan.  When I start reading about this disease, I get really scared.  could someone please assist me in interpretation of my results? Because I am not sure how bad my results are?

TSH:  2.77  uIU/ml  (range  0.490 - 4.670)
Free T3: 4.10 pmol/L (range 3.1 - 6.8)
Free T4: 16.72 pmol/L (range 12.0 - 22.0)
Anti TPO (microsomal) antibodies: 239.0 IU/ml (range negative: 0-34 equivocal: 34-38 and positive: >38)
Thyroglobulin Antibody: 647.7 IU/ml (range negative:  225)

many thanks for your feedback!

[HashiQ]

always post the test reference range as (esp TPA tests change over time)  it looks like Hashi's but make sure you check with the doc.  also make sure the doc checks Free T3 and 4 -not total and works with you on diet. (S)he should also take the time to explain the ramifications of having Hashi's and what to be looking out for- if those things aren't happening (at a minimum) then find a different doctor!