Aa
high antibodies
Please can some one help. I have been taking 75mg of levothyroxine since end of March 2011 I feel extremely unwell from extremely exhaustion, aching legs, stomach upset, could fall a sleep standing, out of breath. I am also taking vitamin D and calcium. I have had lots of blood tests via my Gp and consultant and they keep saying they don't know what is wrong. My last thyroid test read t3 4.9. T4 19.2 TSH 0.7 antibodies 258.8 range 0-50. Can anyone make any suggests please
When I was living in the UK, London (Clerckenwell NHS) I was told by my GP that my symptoms, which included being cold on a hot summer day, were not thyroid related because my TSH was within range. Well, a year later and now in the US, my doctor is STILL adjusting my medicine to no avail - yet (Cytomel) was just added. I have my fingers crossed that you find a good doctor who will do those test for you and take "better" care of you.
Thk u for this, I will take name of doctor in Manfield just incase I can't find a more local doctor. I think other member is right I have started writing a dairy of events over last few months and have started to make notes of different web sites to take to consultant to challenge how ill I feel so hopefully he will listen. I am also taking hubby for back up. Fingers crossed I may get some where I will let u know the outcomem
One of our members in the UK resorted to going to Dr. Barry Durrant-Peatfield. He has been advocating for changes in the treatment of thyroid problems for years, which of course got him in trouble with the NHS. You can find info here.
http://thyroid-disease.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=63&Itemid=85
I also have a doctor's name that was recommended by a UK member. That doctor is located in Edwinstowe, Mansfield, if you are interested.
That same member gave this advice for UK members trying to get adequate testing and treatment. "What I have learned from my experience is that you have to go to the Dr's office and TELL THEM WHAT YOU WANT and to go backed up with knowledge. You have to tell them that you have done your reading and looked into your condition and care about the long-term treatment of your health and thyroid. If you fight for what you want, you will eventually find someone that is happy to go along with your wishes. But we all have to take charge of our own health, right?"
http://thyroid-disease.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=63&Itemid=85
I also have a doctor's name that was recommended by a UK member. That doctor is located in Edwinstowe, Mansfield, if you are interested.
That same member gave this advice for UK members trying to get adequate testing and treatment. "What I have learned from my experience is that you have to go to the Dr's office and TELL THEM WHAT YOU WANT and to go backed up with knowledge. You have to tell them that you have done your reading and looked into your condition and care about the long-term treatment of your health and thyroid. If you fight for what you want, you will eventually find someone that is happy to go along with your wishes. But we all have to take charge of our own health, right?"
Hi thank you for yr response I am looking for new GP. I live in Staffordshire UK I wish we had doctors like u in the states. We seem to have loads of red tape with NHS if u want to go private the GP has to refer u. My GP won't refer me as already under consultant and private would take longer then my appointment on 27th Sept. Hopefully someone will see my post and know of good GP here in UK. My scan came back normal
I think you need to find a good thyroid doctor that will treat you clinically by testing and adjusting free T3 and Free T4 as necessary to relieve symptoms, without being constrained by resultant TSH levels. Also one that will test for other possible deficiencies that often accompany hypothyroidism. If you will tell us where you are located, perhaps members can recommend a good thyroid doctor for you.
Thk u for year answer I will chase my scan again and post results as soon as possible
COMMUNITY LEADER
I responded to your PM. I think you need to find a different doctor that will do testing and work with you to alleviate symptoms, whatever the cause!!
I can't imagine why he'd tell you to stop taking your thyroid medication.
The high TPOab indicates Hashimoto's. Have you heard anything about the ultrasound yet?
I can't imagine why he'd tell you to stop taking your thyroid medication.
The high TPOab indicates Hashimoto's. Have you heard anything about the ultrasound yet?
Hi I now know the antibodies test that read 258.8 range 0-50 was TPoab. I have spoken to my GP today and asked if I can have B12 and magnesium test but doctor says I don't need to have this done. I also asked if I could have my vitamin D checked to see if I am taken enough they also said no. The GP suggested I stop taking medication for 1-2 wks to see if I feel better please advise about antibodies and if I should stop medication
Thk u for yr answer. I will post antibody results tomorrow once I know which test the 258.8 is for. I will also ask to GP if he will test me for B12 and RBC magnesium, he will probably tell me to wait until I see consultant at the end of the month. I will keep u posted. Thk u for the link I will have a look now. I will ask about having T3 replacement as u suggest and see what they say
Thanks again for year help
Thanks again for year help
You definitely have a lot of typical hypo symptoms included in there. You really need to continue to work on getting your Vitamin D and B12 increased to good levels. You should also make it a point to get the testing for RBC magnesium, mentioned by Barb, and also the thyroid antibodies, TPO ab and TG ab, to determine if Hashimoto's is the cause. You also need to get your meds revised to raise your Free T3 level to the high end of the range, or as necessary to relieve symptoms. If it were me, I would change the T4 med to a T4/T3 combo like Armour, or Nature-Throid. The other option would be to just add some T3 med like Cytomel.
Keep in mind that a good thyroid doctor will treat a hypo patient clinically by testing and adjusting Free T3 and Free T4 as necessary to relieve symptoms, Symptom relief should be all important, not just test results. You might get some good insight into clinical treatment of hypothyroidism by reading this link to a letter written by a good thyroid doctor.
http://hormonerestoration.com/files/ThyroidPMD.pdf
Keep in mind that a good thyroid doctor will treat a hypo patient clinically by testing and adjusting Free T3 and Free T4 as necessary to relieve symptoms, Symptom relief should be all important, not just test results. You might get some good insight into clinical treatment of hypothyroidism by reading this link to a letter written by a good thyroid doctor.
http://hormonerestoration.com/files/ThyroidPMD.pdf
Thk u 4 yr quick response, I did answer Red-Star I have all. Except 1 and 2 and I am 46 so a bit younger. I am sorry but I can get to view 26 signs not sure why. The symptons I have are, feel exhausted all the time, legs below my knees hurt so bad if I hit them ith a hammer I don't think pain would go away, I get out of breathe walking up stairs or sometimes speaking to people, gained approx 20lbs in last year, stomach ache, constipated then loose bowels, no interest in sex, eyes buldge sometimes, could fall a sleep on way home from work, carpal tunnel has come back not had for 19 years (when pregent) feels like in all joints now, swelling to thumb joints and sometimes ankles, dark patches on skin appeared, quite a few skin tags appeared, fed up, when I go to bed hard to get to sleep, when a sleep wake up several times dring the night. Generally feel extremely unwell most of the time. I had xray on thumb nothing showed up, I have had tests and chestxray for lupus nothing showed up, ESR normal doctors don't want to help told me they need endocine consultant to see me again but letter to GP last month said all results ok. He is nOw seeing me end of month as anti bodies high and GP has told him he has to see me. Hopefully u can tell me what you think for symptons I have listed
Please respond to the post by Red_Star. Also, please have a look at this listing of 26 typical hypo symptoms and tell us which ones you have.
I totally agree about the need for Vitamin D, and B12 levels to be significantly increased. From your test results I also think that your Free T3 level is low enough that it may be the cause of any hypo symptoms you have. Many of our members report that symptom relief for them required that Free T3 was adjusted into the upper part of its range and FT4 adjusted to around the midpoint of its range.
Since you are taking a T4 med, your Free T3 level suggests inadequate conversion of T4 to T3. To overcome this and raise your Free T3 level will required the addition of T3 to your meds, either by switching to a T4/T3 combo such as Armour, or Nature-Throid, or by adding a T3 source such as Cytomel.
And don't forget about the scan.
I totally agree about the need for Vitamin D, and B12 levels to be significantly increased. From your test results I also think that your Free T3 level is low enough that it may be the cause of any hypo symptoms you have. Many of our members report that symptom relief for them required that Free T3 was adjusted into the upper part of its range and FT4 adjusted to around the midpoint of its range.
Since you are taking a T4 med, your Free T3 level suggests inadequate conversion of T4 to T3. To overcome this and raise your Free T3 level will required the addition of T3 to your meds, either by switching to a T4/T3 combo such as Armour, or Nature-Throid, or by adding a T3 source such as Cytomel.
And don't forget about the scan.
COMMUNITY LEADER
Do always try to get copies of your lab reports. I never leave my doctor's office without a copy; I, then, note on it what medications I'm on, the dosages and whatever symptoms I might have. That way, I can look back and see which numbers I felt best at, and those would be my "targets".
Okay, if there was an "appropriate rise in PTH to 7.81", that could indicate that maybe a previous test had been low, and your level was now normal.
Yes, I think you should ask for the B12 and magnesium tests - make sure you ask for RBC magnesium.
Calcit D3 -- the 500 mg is for the calcium; check the label to see how much D3 you are getting in each pill, then multiply by 2, since you take it twice/day. My guess is that those pills don't have nearly enough D3 (probably 200 mg at the most) in them to bring your levels up. Usually, when levels are as low as yours were, patients are given mega doses. Talk to your doctor about this. I'd think you need much more vitamin D than you are getting, but since vitamin D can be toxic if too much is taken, you must be careful.
Yes, your throat scan is relevant. The scan will determine whether or not you have nodules, along with other things. You only have one thyroid gland, with 2 lobes, so the fact that it's small may or may not be important. The report will tell that.
Okay, if there was an "appropriate rise in PTH to 7.81", that could indicate that maybe a previous test had been low, and your level was now normal.
Yes, I think you should ask for the B12 and magnesium tests - make sure you ask for RBC magnesium.
Calcit D3 -- the 500 mg is for the calcium; check the label to see how much D3 you are getting in each pill, then multiply by 2, since you take it twice/day. My guess is that those pills don't have nearly enough D3 (probably 200 mg at the most) in them to bring your levels up. Usually, when levels are as low as yours were, patients are given mega doses. Talk to your doctor about this. I'd think you need much more vitamin D than you are getting, but since vitamin D can be toxic if too much is taken, you must be careful.
Yes, your throat scan is relevant. The scan will determine whether or not you have nodules, along with other things. You only have one thyroid gland, with 2 lobes, so the fact that it's small may or may not be important. The report will tell that.
Thk u for answering me. I do not Know which test TPOab or TGab my GP closed until monday so will ask when open.
I have an appointment with consultant on 27 Sept should I ask for B12 and magnesium tests? The PTH test was done in March not sure on range will try to find out but consultant wrote to GP saying "appropriate rise in PTH to 7.81" alkaline phosphatase normal. Consultant wrote to GP saying significant vitamin D deficiency level 9.2 indicating severe deficiency - I have been taking medication for this and calcium - Calcit D3 500mg twice daily. I have not been re checked since March. I had a throat scan yesterday radiologist said it looked like my thyroid glands were small but will have to wait for report do you think this is relevant? I look forward to hearing from you. Thank you
I have an appointment with consultant on 27 Sept should I ask for B12 and magnesium tests? The PTH test was done in March not sure on range will try to find out but consultant wrote to GP saying "appropriate rise in PTH to 7.81" alkaline phosphatase normal. Consultant wrote to GP saying significant vitamin D deficiency level 9.2 indicating severe deficiency - I have been taking medication for this and calcium - Calcit D3 500mg twice daily. I have not been re checked since March. I had a throat scan yesterday radiologist said it looked like my thyroid glands were small but will have to wait for report do you think this is relevant? I look forward to hearing from you. Thank you
COMMUNITY LEADER
Yes, I know the antibody test was part of the thyroid panel, but I'm wondering which antibody was tested. Do you know if it was TPOab or TGab? Positive results for either of those would indicate Hashimoto's and you have a result of 258, so there's certainly something going on; just can't determine what it is without knowing which tests were done. Do you have the actual copy of your lab work? It will tell you what tests were done, along with all the reference ranges.
No vitamin B12 isn't generally tested in CBC; it's ordered as a separate test, when certain symptoms show up, such as your exhaustion and aching legs.
Are you being treated for the vitamin D deficiency? That's critical. We'd need to know the range for the PTH. Has your calcium been tested? If your PTH is high, maybe you have a parathyroid problem, along with thyroid.
As Red_Star noted, magnesium deficiency can also cause some of your symptoms, and we always recommend that you get that tested, along with the other things.
No vitamin B12 isn't generally tested in CBC; it's ordered as a separate test, when certain symptoms show up, such as your exhaustion and aching legs.
Are you being treated for the vitamin D deficiency? That's critical. We'd need to know the range for the PTH. Has your calcium been tested? If your PTH is high, maybe you have a parathyroid problem, along with thyroid.
As Red_Star noted, magnesium deficiency can also cause some of your symptoms, and we always recommend that you get that tested, along with the other things.
Magnesium deficiency symptoms are numerous but include fatigue, aching muscles, upset stomach, and shortness of breath.
Need More Magnesium? 10 Signs to Watch For >>>
1. Do you drink carbonated beverages on a regular basis?
2. Do you regularly eat pastries, cakes, desserts, candies or other sweet foods?
3. Do you experience a lot of stress in your life, or have you recently had a major medical procedure such as surgery?
4. Do you drink coffee, tea, or other caffeinated drinks daily?
5. Do you take a diuretic, heart medication, asthma medication, birth control pills or estrogen replacement therapy?
6. Do you drink more than seven alcoholic beverages per week?
7. Do you take calcium supplements without magnesium or calcium supplements with magnesium in less than a 1:1 ratio?
8. Do you experience any of the following:
Anxiety?
Times of hyperactivity?
Difficulty getting to sleep?
Difficulty staying asleep?
9. Do you experience any of the following:
Painful muscle spasms?
Muscle cramping?
Fibromyalgia?
Facial tics?
Eye twitches, or involuntary eye movements?
10. Did you answer yes to any of the above questions and are also age 55 or older?
Need More Magnesium? 10 Signs to Watch For >>>
1. Do you drink carbonated beverages on a regular basis?
2. Do you regularly eat pastries, cakes, desserts, candies or other sweet foods?
3. Do you experience a lot of stress in your life, or have you recently had a major medical procedure such as surgery?
4. Do you drink coffee, tea, or other caffeinated drinks daily?
5. Do you take a diuretic, heart medication, asthma medication, birth control pills or estrogen replacement therapy?
6. Do you drink more than seven alcoholic beverages per week?
7. Do you take calcium supplements without magnesium or calcium supplements with magnesium in less than a 1:1 ratio?
8. Do you experience any of the following:
Anxiety?
Times of hyperactivity?
Difficulty getting to sleep?
Difficulty staying asleep?
9. Do you experience any of the following:
Painful muscle spasms?
Muscle cramping?
Fibromyalgia?
Facial tics?
Eye twitches, or involuntary eye movements?
10. Did you answer yes to any of the above questions and are also age 55 or older?
The range for free T3 3.1-6.8, free T4 12-22. I believe the antibody test was from the thyroid function test. I do not believe I have been test for B12 unless this is included in full blood count which was normal. They keep saying my liver reading is a little high 49 range 0-33. Originally consultant wrote to GP saying overt hypothroidism and severe deficieny of vit D level of 9.2 no-one has mentioned Hashimoto. Also there was a rise in PTH to 7.81 don't know range but never been tested since. - I have been tested for lupus, results came back normal, addison, range came back baseline cortisol 351nmol, 30mins 610nmol and 60min 722nmol. My consultant discharged me saying my meds were right doctor says need to see consultant as they can't help. Day by day my symptons seem to be getting worse. My Consultant said he would re see me at the end of the month but I think he will tell me he doesn't know again. Thank you for your response I really did appreciate it.
Have an Answer?
You are reading content posted in the Thyroid Disorders Community
We tapped the CDC for information on what you need to know about radiation exposure
Endocrinologist Mark Lupo, MD, answers 10 questions about thyroid disorders and how to treat them
A list of national and international resources and hotlines to help connect you to needed health and medical services.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.
Herpes spreads by oral, vaginal and anal sex.
STIs are the most common cause of genital sores.
It sounds like you are still very hypo, even though you are on meds.
Do you know which antibody test was done? Did anyone tell you, you have Hashimoto's Thyroiditis?
Have you had your vitamin B12 levels checked? B12 deficiency can cause some of those symptoms.