Positive EBV titer...can thyroid problems be attributed to this?

[Jules77733]

My bloodwork came back positive for the Epstein-Barr Virus--my levels are > 5 where the normal range is < 0.9. I also tested positive for the parvovirus (B19, I'm guessing?). My level for this was 3.2, where the normal range is  or = to 125) and my TSH was 1.47 (range: 0.4 - 4.5); these were measured around 12pm, and I know TSH is at its lowest level around 2pm. My TSH seems to be fairly high when it's measured in the morning, and has been around 5.5 at 8am. I'm thinking sub-acute thyroiditis as a result of EBV, but I don't have a sore throat, much less a really bad one, and my RAIU results were elevated, not decreased.

I'm just a little confused..........................

[Jules77733]

I don't think EBV settles in one place so much as it circulates throughout the bloodstream and occasionally wreaks havoc in certain places as it's traveling along. In that sense, I think it's possible for EBV to be causing either direct damage to the thyroid or some sort of indirect damage. I don't know that the actual virus itself is attacking and destroying thyroid cells, but I suppose it's possible.

[mommy2two2008]

So here's a crazy question.... Can EBV settle in the thyroid gland?  

[Jules77733]

Usually, an EBV panel is done and the doctor will interpret the results of this panel to determine whether or not the infection is current. Those suffering from a chronic EBV infection test positive for antibodies to the viral capsid antigen and EBNA, as do most people who have been infected with EBV in the past (95% of the population), but they will also test positive for antibodies to the early antigen--or show much higher elevated numbers, suggesting a reactivation of the virus. Unfortunately, scientists have been unable to correlate any lab values for EBV to people who have been chronically ill for longer than 4 months, so doctors are supposed to look for other illnesses or settle with a diagnosis of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome if a patient has been sick for longer than 6 months. They're still a little shaky on correlating EBV with anything besides mononucleosis and herpes, it seems..............which is kind of worrisome given how often elevated titers of EBV antibodies show up with other illnesses.

Anca77--if you still read this, you might want to talk to mommy2two2008. She was taking Armour for awhile and has tested positive for EBV, though I can't comment on whether or not this is occurring in her case (but I bet she can comment on it!).

I really wonder if my spleen and liver are still swollen...because if they are and I still have an "inactive" EBV infection, then where is this symptom coming from?!?

[mommy2two2008]

How do they diagnose chronic EBV?  I have been told by my doc (after EBV titer test) that I have had mono and have chronic EBV in addition to the hashi w/ normal blood.

[anca77]

Does anybody tested positive for EBV and is also taking Aromour for the thyroid?

I need to see is there is any correlation between the sore throat I keep having and the Armour and EBV.

[Jules77733]

I just realized that my initial post got messed up after I posted it (probably a result of using some symbol that this site doesn't recognize, or something...this has happened to me in the past).

The sentence that was messed up should've read:

"My level for this was 3.2, where the normal range is less than or equal to 0.9. My TSI was 103, where the normal range was less than or equal to 125, and my TSH was 1.47 (range: 0.4 - 4.5); these were measured around 12pm, and I know TSH is at its lowest level around 2pm."

I hope that makes more sense!

Anca77--no problem; thanks for your well wishes! I certainly could use them right now. I hope you are able to get your EBV under control; I definitely think it is wreaking havoc in your system and contributing to your thyroid problems. Your poor immune system is compromised as a result of this nasty virus, making you much more prone to the unleashing of the autoimmune diseases hidden within your DNA, or other illnesses you might not have caught if your immune system were healthy in the first place.