Thyroid antibodies way way high.

[clmoose85]

Can someone tell me a little about these results? I will be going to the doctor on Friday but I have the results now and they are crazy. I will post my tests I have had Since April.

April 21st
TSH 1.74     Range: .34 - 5.60
Free T4 .90     Range: .77 - 1.61
Free T3 2.9     Range: 2.5 - 3.9
B12 606

May 21st
TSH 0.88      Range: .34 - 5.60
Free T4 1.16     Range: .77 - 1.61
Free T3 N/A    Range: 2.5 - 3.9
B12 747
T3 UPTAKE 31%
T4 8.1     Range: 6.0-12.0

June 20th
TSH - 1.09     Range 0.34 - 5.60
T4 - 8.2     Range 6.0 - 12.0
Thyroglobulin antibody - 29.1   Range 0.0 - 4.0
Thyroid Peroxidase antibody  - >900.0    Range 0.0 - 9.0
Vitamin D - 15 Range 30 - 150

And yes I know for this months results my Vitamin D is also low. Will be taking care of that soon. I want to know the Antibody results and what they mean. the one is >900 when range is only 0.0-9.0.... thats huge and way high, and then the other is 29.1 when range is only 0.0-4.0. Does anyone know how to read those????

[Barb135]

If you click "add to watch list" you will receive an e-mail when someone posts on the thread.

Were you actually diagnosed with Graves Disease via TSI antibody test?  Early stages of Hashimoto's are often characterized by periods of hyperthyroidism, which are often mistaken for Graves Disease, before it finally settles into permanent hypothyroidism.

Your levels for thyroid really aren't "fine".  Your T4 level is only at 33% of the range, indicating that FT4 would be equally low.  Of the Total T4, most is bound by protein and is unusable.  Only the "Free" (unbound) portion is available to be converted to T3.  T3 works the same way.  Of the Total T3, most of bound by protein and only the Free portion is available for use.  Free T3 is the hormone that's actually used by the individual cells.

It's not the least bit unusual for symptoms of hypothyroidism to be present when actual thyroid hormone levels are in the bottom half of the reference ranges.

Kelp would not be recommended because it has iodine, which is most often contraindicated with Hashimoto's.

[clmoose85]

Ok it never told me that anyone had posted on my post. Yea I knew it was most likely hashimotos. The thing is I have had a goiter since I was 19 years old, for the last 10 years. My thyroid is also very marbleized as well. Ive been sick for quite some time. It has not been fun. I have a ton of the symptoms for Hashis and for hypothyroid but my levels for thyroid are fine. I have been trying to get these test for over 5 years and my nurse practitioner would never pull them/ I got a new one who is here on Fridays and she had no problem and said she wanted the anti body tests pulled. i didnt have to ask. Fina;;u after so many long years I get answers. I was originally extremely Hyperthyroid and Garces disease. I went from 150 to 118 pounds. My TSH was 0.00000. My goiter has never gone down but progressively gotten worse :( Is liquid kelp ok to use with hashis???

[goolarra]

I'd just like to add that, although a result of greater-than 900 seems astronomical, it's not.  We frequently see antibody counts in the high hundreds or even thousands.  Just to give you some perspective, my TPOab on diagnosis was also over 900, and my TGab was over 3,000.  As Barb said, don't let the high numbers send you into a panic; the test is basically either positive or negative.  

[Barb135]

It's not time to panic...   The high antibody readings would be the basis for a diagnosis of Hashimoto's Thyroiditis.  That's an autoimmune disease in which the body sees the thyroid as foreign and produces antibodies to destroy it.  Hashimoto's is the number one cause of hypothyroidism in the developed world.  Many of us, here, on the forum have it.  While it's often associated with hypothyroidism, early stages can be characterized by periods of hyperthyroidism.

Do you have symptoms of hypothyroidism?  Those could include, but aren't limited to, fatigue, constipation, weight gain, dry skin, hair loss, many more.  Your Free T3 and Free T4 from April are very low in the ranges, indicating that your thyroid is not producing adequately.

Unfortunately, T3 uptake and T4 (which is Total T4) are considered obsolete and of little value.  You should make sure your doctor tests for Free T3 and Free T4 (making sure Free is specified for each)  every time s/he orders thyroid blood work.  

Yes, your vitamin D is very low and while your vitamin B-12 is "in range" it could stand to be higher.

[Red_Star]

Thyroid peroxidase antibodies (TPOAb) are found raised in most cases of Hashimoto's thyroiditis and about 65% of patients with Graves' disease. Thyroglobulin antibodies (TgAb) levels can also appear either autoimmune disease. TgAb are more likely to appear after thyroid gland swelling (inflammation) or injury.