Aa
sooo confused!!!!!!!!
help! i have graves antibodies, hashimoto's antibodies and a constant problem with sinus and ear infections. I have RA but I don't quite understand some things. If i have both graves and hashimoto's antibodies, but currently my levels are too high, along with the RA should they (dr's) be retesting for lupus or something? about a year ago i started having problems, my thyroid tests and anti dna were "normal". in may of this year i was ran thru the usual theyroid testing which came back with graves and hashimoto's, my dr feels it is unnecessary to retest the anti dna. i am not so sure/ course i am beginning to feel like this is in my head even though the dr assures me it isn't. and am currently on antithyroid med's and inderal. initially i had no goiter. now it is extremely obvious. can't get to a rheumatologist without a referral, and dr thinks we need to be concentrating on the elephant in the room instead of the flies on the walls. should it not all be considered? god i am so freaking sick of being sick all the time. anyone else experiencing both antibodies and sinus/ear infections too? is this part of it? can you recommend a specialist in eastern north carolina?
I don't see anything in my post as being arrogant or inflamatory. If so, I apologize. I suppose the Lupus remark was uncalled for in the context I used.
At this point in your life an ANA test is meaningless. I had one done two years ago and it was negative. If I had one done tomorrow and it was positive it would mean nothing. It would indicate an autoimmune condition. That's it.
I have an autoimmune condition. You have two. ANA is not treatable. Knowing whether or not you have ANA above limit is not going to change your treatment. If you suspect Lupus, get to the meat of it and ask for tests that don't say "it could be one of a dozen things". ANA is not specific for Lupus.
Your doctor used an unfortunate choice of words when he/she said you have Grave's antibodies and Hashimoto's antibodies.
You have multiple thyroid antibodies. The fact that TSI is one of them (along with your symptoms) gave you a diagnosis of Grave's Disease.
The other antibodies are not Hashimoto's antibodies. They are thyroid antibodies. The right set of circumstances can earn them the title "Hashimoto's antibodies", but they are in reality thyroid antibodies.
It is possile to have TSI antibodies, which causes Grave's, and also have TPOab, or TGab, or TRab, or a combination of any or all and it is Grave's Disease. It is quite common to have several antibodies.
Hashimoto's is the opposite condition, autoimmune hypothyroidism. There you will find one or more of these antibodies, minus the TSI.
I hope this helps you understand your condition a little better. I was not trying to be confrontational or superior. Just matter of fact in regard to the ANA test.
As for living it, we all are living it, to some degree. I've lived it as much as most people here. I understand Grave's. I understand Hashimoto's. I understand poor doctors. I understand frustration. I understand you are new here.
Maybe we should start over.
At this point in your life an ANA test is meaningless. I had one done two years ago and it was negative. If I had one done tomorrow and it was positive it would mean nothing. It would indicate an autoimmune condition. That's it.
I have an autoimmune condition. You have two. ANA is not treatable. Knowing whether or not you have ANA above limit is not going to change your treatment. If you suspect Lupus, get to the meat of it and ask for tests that don't say "it could be one of a dozen things". ANA is not specific for Lupus.
Your doctor used an unfortunate choice of words when he/she said you have Grave's antibodies and Hashimoto's antibodies.
You have multiple thyroid antibodies. The fact that TSI is one of them (along with your symptoms) gave you a diagnosis of Grave's Disease.
The other antibodies are not Hashimoto's antibodies. They are thyroid antibodies. The right set of circumstances can earn them the title "Hashimoto's antibodies", but they are in reality thyroid antibodies.
It is possile to have TSI antibodies, which causes Grave's, and also have TPOab, or TGab, or TRab, or a combination of any or all and it is Grave's Disease. It is quite common to have several antibodies.
Hashimoto's is the opposite condition, autoimmune hypothyroidism. There you will find one or more of these antibodies, minus the TSI.
I hope this helps you understand your condition a little better. I was not trying to be confrontational or superior. Just matter of fact in regard to the ANA test.
As for living it, we all are living it, to some degree. I've lived it as much as most people here. I understand Grave's. I understand Hashimoto's. I understand poor doctors. I understand frustration. I understand you are new here.
Maybe we should start over.
forgot another per the endo specialist. i have both graves and hashimoto's antibodies. Which may be understood by one who is a specialist however, How does a person have both? is that common to have both antibodies? or could there be something else lurking about in the waters causing excessive antibodies? i don't know? i don't know everything, just what i have been spoon fed by the doctors and expected to not question. maybe it is normal to have both antibodies. I am here because I have questions. One with this disease does not need belittling or to be related to possible paranoia your initial answer or attempted one, reeked of arrogance, and disdain,and lacked compassion, which tells me you may know a lot, but i wonder do you live it? and if so maybe we are both being slightly emotional due to our medical situation. if you live with this maybe you can be more insightful to the personal experiences which not only include the medical part, but the whole-including the mind or in my case maybe the lack of one. least i accept that for which i cannot change, once i understand it.
they ran the thryoid test and ana test a year ago,they were both "normal", then in May of this year they ran the thryoid test again and the t3, t4 were way too high, tsh was 00.000 do the math. went for the uptake it was 34. so my thoughts are simple. If it was not for my insistance to have the tests done again, i'd stilll be dealing with a heart rate of 110 to 120, sleepless nights and basically believing that I was "paranoid" when it came to my health issues. I have had 2 strokes due to migraines, initially i was told they could not find the reasons, my arteries were clear no build up, everything looked great. was told "it just happened could happen again don't know why it happened either". that is no answer nor is well, we don't know what causes graves but we can fix it by blasting it with radiation or surgery. that's not a fix of the problem that is getting rid of the symptoms. what causes it? you are right, i do not understand graves, and neither do the medical professionals.they basically know what you have stated -the text book answer to all. if you think i was insulting you i apologize however, this thryoid stuff apparently makes one "moody", believe it has even been misdiagnosed by professionals as bi-polar. i was not aware that is was a requirement to list every test so here goes. I have had a CTscan for what they thought was a headache ended up not showing a thing, then had an MRI which showed the strokes, was finally diagnosed as have 2 strokes 4 days after having them. had an ekg, forgive my ignorance- something that looked like an ultrasound of my heart.all heart parts working great. arteries clear as they say remarkable. had blood tests ran for everything imaginable including t3, t4 and tsh all within normal range, anti dna tests, normal range, blood sugar, normal, you name the test I've had it. in may at my request and persistance blood test again for t3 t4 and tsh, off the chart except the tsh, not even registering. uptake well, you have that information. ra test negative, then positive. if it were not for my "quibling" i'd probably be dead. so,in the mean time i'll find my full bloodwork results and get back with you but that should give you an idea. lupus questioned due to symptoms not paranoia. just paranoid of why one would not ask why not??
I see where your coming from to, but the way I see it (Just my opinion) getting certain tests done to rule out things is very benificial on the mental side of things. Having hypoT. has put a massive strain on me mentally! Getting tests done even if nothing will come of them puts my mind at ease! I know my-self that I get really paranoid about my health now, a new syymptom makes me worry so much. Ruling out certain things HELP! Being sick of being sick would make some want to do every test so ya I still agree with her!
Well, I don't see much to agree with.
She had several antibody tests run (there is no list of tests) and she was diagnosed with Grave's. She says she has Hashimoto's antibodies as well, which means she doesn't understand Grave's.
I explained the correlation and she insulted me.
She wants an ANA test that is positive, I guess. the negative one wasn't good enough.
If she tests positive for ANA, it will be because of RA or Autoimmune Grave's. Why is Lupus on the list? Paranoia, or symptoms?
Infections can occur, and wounds can heal slower if your immune system is under a lot of pressure. It is possible, although not certain, that her other infections are occurring because her immune system is weakened by the autoimmune diseases she has.
She hasn't listed tests she has had run. she just says they were not thorough enough. She has a diagnosis of Rheumatoid Arthritis and Grave's Disease.
If she had no diagnosis I could understand the frustration.
Quibling over an ANA test that will not reveal anything new even IF it tests positive seems futile.
She had several antibody tests run (there is no list of tests) and she was diagnosed with Grave's. She says she has Hashimoto's antibodies as well, which means she doesn't understand Grave's.
I explained the correlation and she insulted me.
She wants an ANA test that is positive, I guess. the negative one wasn't good enough.
If she tests positive for ANA, it will be because of RA or Autoimmune Grave's. Why is Lupus on the list? Paranoia, or symptoms?
Infections can occur, and wounds can heal slower if your immune system is under a lot of pressure. It is possible, although not certain, that her other infections are occurring because her immune system is weakened by the autoimmune diseases she has.
She hasn't listed tests she has had run. she just says they were not thorough enough. She has a diagnosis of Rheumatoid Arthritis and Grave's Disease.
If she had no diagnosis I could understand the frustration.
Quibling over an ANA test that will not reveal anything new even IF it tests positive seems futile.
I agree with grneweene, just cause you know what is wrong with you doesn't make it better. I know Iv hypothyroidism!! BUT WHY?? A question I never asked my doc. because i knew nothing about it. Should he not have done more tests to determine why all of a sudden my thyroid is going nuts? Doctors are just happy to give meds. but not know the reason why. Iv done my own research and I know I should get my antibodies tested even thought its going to be the same treatment reguardless! If I have a problem with my antibodies I would like to know, Iv the right to know! It would make things a bit more clearer and I would understand my symptoms even more! If anything it will put my mind at ease!
No need to get all rude on me.
Why do you think an ANA test will make such a difference?
Why are you so confused if you know it all?
Why are you so rude???
Why do you think an ANA test will make such a difference?
Why are you so confused if you know it all?
Why are you so rude???
yeah, i am aware of all of that except that I want to know what causes it. It is a good thing not everyone takes the if it can't be treated testing is pointless, cause that is pretty much what they have done with my thyroid. tested it and have no clue how to "cure" it because they don't know what causes this. don't you find that even slightly interesting, that they don't search for a reason? oh yes they can counteract the action of the thyroid, and even remove it which still does not answer the question of what causes it? Good thing there are doctors and researchers out there that refuse to follow the majority, and i guess that's what i'm hoping for one that doesn't just go with the flow, one who is willing to dig a little deeper than just what everyone else does. AIDS has no cure so i guess it is pointless to test for it. wow. thanks! that mind set is oh so standard, and stuck in the box. but thanks i find the post very informative, almost text book answers why is the earth square?
I don't see much point in retesting your ANA. ANA can be found in Lupus, yes, but it can also be found in thyroid conditions and in RA. You have RA. You have Grave's. Why go looking for Lupus?
You test positive for TSI, which is found in Grave's disease. You aparently also test positive for TPOab, which can be found in small titers in RA, and can be found in large or small titers in Hashimoto's or Grave's Disease. You can also test positive for TGab and have either Hashimoto's or Grave's.
It is evident that you have Grave's and TSI is running the show, as you have been put on anti-thyroid drugs. If you had Hashimoto's, you would be taking thyroid hormone replacement.
Your hormone levels need to be brought under control, and your heart needs to be protected until that happens. Then the goiter can be addressed.
Your ANA does not matter. If it is negative, great. If it is positive, it will be attributed to either the RA (most likely) or the thyroid problem. It can't be treated, so testing it is pointless.
You test positive for TSI, which is found in Grave's disease. You aparently also test positive for TPOab, which can be found in small titers in RA, and can be found in large or small titers in Hashimoto's or Grave's Disease. You can also test positive for TGab and have either Hashimoto's or Grave's.
It is evident that you have Grave's and TSI is running the show, as you have been put on anti-thyroid drugs. If you had Hashimoto's, you would be taking thyroid hormone replacement.
Your hormone levels need to be brought under control, and your heart needs to be protected until that happens. Then the goiter can be addressed.
Your ANA does not matter. If it is negative, great. If it is positive, it will be attributed to either the RA (most likely) or the thyroid problem. It can't be treated, so testing it is pointless.
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