TPO antibodies but no symptoms

[Babs501]

Hi.  As part of a routine fertility work up, I was told my TSH level was 2.5 and TPO antibodies were 283 (no TGO antibodies).  My doctor prescribed a low dose of Synthroid to reduce TSH but she isn't concerned with my TPO number. I don't have a known family history of thyroid disorder and I don't have any symptoms but I'm concerned with my TPO number.  Does that number mean I will likely develop symptoms and thryoid disease at some point? Also, my TSH one year ago was 1.75.  Is it common for TSH to flucate? Thanks.

[des900]

Do check your Vitamin D levels and make sure its in optimal range (50 - 70). Low Vitamin D levels can trigger various autoimmune conditions and Hashimoto thyroiditis is one among them.

[Babs501]

Thanks for your response.  I didn't realize there was a relationship between vitamin D and thyroid issues and my GP nor my RE mentioned it. I've been looking into this since your comment though so thank you for bringing it to my attention. My vitamin D was tested last March and was 24 so my GP recommended that I take vitamin D, which I've been doing. I was retested last month and the level is 33 so it's going up but still sounds low.  I will start taking two vitamin D pills a day and hopefully that will help.  Do antibodies ever go away?

[des900]

You can ask your doctor to prescribe you Vitamin D3 mega dose like 50,000 IU. You can take it weekly for some 4 or 5 weeks and then stop it fully. No need to take daily also its hard to raise Vitamin D levels significantly using regular daily pills. Also can't tell if antibodies reduce but make sure your Vitamin D level is in optimal range.

[Babs501]

Thanks again.  You have been very helpful.  Asking my doctor for a mega dose prescription of vitamin D now.

[des900]

Thank you

[Barb135]

Vitamin D deficiency does not "trigger" Hashimoto's.  Vitamin D deficiency symptoms mimic hypothyroidism...

[cosmicsoul]

Likely there is a strong relationhips with vitamin D and many other vitamins and minerals that our bodies need to function optimally and for our immune system to defend us. Unfortunately many doctors are not equipped to help us with this topic yet vit D gained some ground in recent years. Doctors advise against vitamins and minerals but I do not agree with that notion.

[Barb135]

While there "may" be relationships between Vitamin D and/or other vitamins/minerals and our immune system, it's erroneous and misleading to tell members that a deficiency can trigger a condition, when one can not provide scientific evidence to prove the statement. We're not doctors, but we do try to provide information that's as accurate as possible.

I've never had a doctor advise me against taking a vitamin or mineral that I thought necessary.  One should be aware that some vitamins/minerals can be toxic if taken in too high dosages or if levels become too high and request adequate testing to insure that this doesn't happen. If your doctor refuses to test, there are places one can order the testing without a doctor's order.

[cosmicsoul]

Hi there Babs501,
I am not a doctor but have been a diagnosed hashis patient for 12 yrs. What a wonderful doctor you found - who at least is concerend of a TSH most other doctor would find normal. TPO 283 is a sign of a beginning Hashimotos disease and untreated you will likely develop full blown hypothyroidism (Hashimotos). A healthy TSH with no Hashis is around 1-1.5 for most people. Anything above that is a concern if 1) you are symptomatic 2) if you have antibodies. Taking a small dose of synthroid will do no harm particuarly if your dr is checking your lab results and how your feel (symptoms). Long time ago my TSH was 2.9 and no one checked my antibodies and told me I was normal. 5 years later my antibody TPO was over 1000 and my TSH was 9 and I was a full blown hypothyroid. TSH should not fluctuate unless you are dealing with pituitary gland problems (likely not in your case) or with antibodies (likely your case). Another thing I wanted to mention that most drs are not concerned w antibodies because if you are an autoimmune hyopothyroid patient - you will be such all your life and your antibodies are here to stay. I took a different approach and wanted to reduce my antibodies which I have achieved thoruh 1) thyroid hormone supplementation in my case Armour 2) and also taking something called Thrytophan PMG - which is hormone free bovine thyroid extract that mimics thyroid against the antibodies to steer them off course. Remember the antibodies want to achieve two things: 1) destroy your thyroid to stop producing thyroid hormone and 2) takes up a lot of the thyroid hormone your body makes or your supplement.
Good luck!

[Babs501]

Thanks for your response. It is very helpful. Did you adjust your diet at all? I'm considering a substantial reduction in gluten and dairy (hard to give up completely) to see if that helps as well.  

[cosmicsoul]

Diet has been a long road for me and very educational. I tried gluten free but I only become deficient in many nutrients and mineral. Clearly that did not work for me. I dont get bloating or allergiest or stomach pain by eating really anything with the exception of soy so I avoid that. I even get small skin rashes when I eat too much soy. I think we should eat wholesome diets and wholesome foods preferably some organic. This way we can provide nutrients and sustinacne our body need. Everyone disagrees on the topic of diet but I think if it is wholesome and does not make you sick - you should eat it. I dislike labeling everything as bad for you particularly wholesome foods. I heard it all. Bashing almonds, bashing apples, the list goes on. You will find an argument on everythign. Diet is a personal choice. We should eat what we like and enjoy it. If our body does not tell us its rejecting it - not sure what the problem is. Go by what you feel is right for you. I do take supplements, vitamins, our immune system needs certain nutrients to function well. Good luck! :)

[Barb135]

comicsoul - The only thing I disagree with is our comment about soy... Soy is a goitrogen and should be avoided by those of us with Hashimoto's/hypothyroidism, whether we have an allergy/insensitivity or not.

I've not bought into the issue of diet, either, when it comes to the whole gluten/diary free issue, though some say it's totally necessary.  So far the science hasn't proven it's necessary, but it's getting there.  If one is going to eat grains, it's best to stick with whole grains vs processed grains, such as those found in white flour, regular pasta, etc.

[Barb135]

FYI - TSH "does" fluctuate greatly; it can fluctuate as much as 75% over the course of a single day.  It's affected by many things, other than thyroid hormones.

Do you have links to any scientific studies regarding the use of Thrytophan PMG (protomorphogens) to lower antibody counts?  I'm unable to find anything and from what I can find, there's not a lot of benefit to the supplement, other than calcium and magnesium.

Antibodies don't use up thyroid hormone; they simply destroy your thyroid so it can't produce hormones.