Making sense of my Thyroid & Antibodies Test Results

[JoiATL]

I am a 41 yr old healthy female. (5'7" - 130 lbs). I work out regularly and eat well.  I have had 3 thyroid tests:

2/23/09 - TSH 8.599 uIu/mL, FT4 1.00 ng/dl,

3/11/09 - TSH 7.51 mIU/L, My antibodies test level was 891

10/28/09 - TSH 7.180 uIu/mL. , Thyroxine (T4) 7.1, T3 uptake 24, Free Thyroxine Index  1.7

My symptoms: fatigued/tired, low libido, anxiety/depression, loss of concentration/focus

Is this Hashimoto's? Or just mild hypothyroidism? Should I have an endocrinologist look more into Hashimoto's? Any thoughts, opinions, suggestions are much appreciated! Thank you so much!

[gimel]

Please provide some statistically valid scientific evidence (not anecdotal) that going gluten-free helps reduce thyroid antibodies.

We've seen and heard reports that taking selenium also reduces thyroid antibodies, but no scientific evidence.

We have also seen information from scientific studies  that taking thyroid meds reduces TSH and thus reduces thyroid antibodies.    

Given these alternatives, I know which one I'd choose.

[HHRR]

Hi there

Starting on a gluten-free diet may help some people in reducing their anti-TPO levels!

[JoiATL]

Thank you Laura and Tamra!!! I will be searching for an endocrinologist Monday. I want to find one who treats me as an individual and not one of the masses. I have also been looking into bioidentical hormones instead of synthetic. I really appreciate you taking the time to respond.

[6hashi]

Hello ,
If there was a way to reduce the TPOab ,the problem would have been solved !
there is no way to reduce the TPOab ,you should just take thyroid replacement  and leave the antibodies to destroy your thyroid gland !!

feel well ,

[palu123]

hi Tamra,
Even i also have same problem of anti TPO, my TSH,T3,T4 reports are in normal range ,but my anti tpo is 603....do you have any idea how i can reduce anti TPO level or which medicine very much effective on anti TPO?..my endocrine giving me thyronorm 150 mcg,last 2 months..but yet not any change...very much disturb because of anti TPO so high i cant go for ivf,

[TamraW]

Yikes! That's a high antibody count. I have Hashimto's. My TPOab antibodies are a 221, which my endo considers high.

Your TSH is also much higher than mine ever was, so even though I'm not a doctor, I'd say you're a Hashi.

I suggest you get to an endo, one who specializes in thyroid, not diabetes!

You should be on thryoid horone replacement, or believe me, you will get worse. Also, you really need the FreeT3 and FreeT4 to be tested and treated, not just the TSH and the others. Measuring the frees is the direct route of determining thyroid levels.

You should also DEMAND a thyroid ultrasound. Hashi can cause ugly thryoid nodules and goiters. Most of the time, the nodules are benign and will shrink with thryoid hormone. I had some ugly, scary looking nodules, that have shrunk to almost nothing after three months of thyroid hormone. I also have a lot more energy since starting the drugs.

This site lists recommended endos, however, you should also call the office and ask how many thyroid patients that endo treats:

http://www.thyroid-info.com/topdrs/

I have a wonderful endo. 75 percent of his patients have thryoid disease. He understands Hashi.

Get your Vitamin D and B12 levels tested and treated. Hashis are usually low in vitamins. My vitamin D was so low last year, I couldn't exercise at all because of the leg and neck cramping.

Hashis are more susceptible to infections and colds. Take special care of your health.

:) Tamra

[laura1967]

Looks like Hashimoto's. Hashimoto's causes hypothyroidism. Aren't you on meds yet? Time to find a thyroid specialist. Hashimoto's can be a long process, but most importantly is to keep your levels proper. Your free t4 and free t3 should be at least mid normal range. TSH should be between a .50-1.0.