Guest guest Posted June 4, 2010 Report Share Posted June 4, 2010 Hi Stacey, According to Dr.Peatfield - "the presence of positive autoantibodies is diagnostic for Hashimoto's". - The 'presence of positive autoantibodies' in this instance means a number above the ref range ... in your case a number above 30 - therefore your 18 AA's will be put down as "normal". However, as I understand this whole business with autoantibodies, they fluctuate greatly. Your count of 18 one day *might* go up above the norm range another day -or it might not... What - in my opinion - all this means is that you have to watch it. I do not know any of your background, but since you have joined this forum, I take it that you must have concerns about being hypothyroid. Whilst most people with hypothyroidism (some say 90%) suffer from autoimmune thyroiditis (Hashimoto's - meaning you have got thyroid autoantibodies), not all do ... and the treatment would be the same - autoimmune or not. I guess what I am trying to say in a round-about way is that whether you have positive autoantibodies (TPO or TgAB) or not is not the all-deciding factor. You could be hypothyroid with or without positive numbers of TPO or TgAB. It just makes diagnosing easier if you do have them. As understand it, the actual number (once you have positive AAs) is of little consequence; it is the presence that matters. Some people have a few hundreds, others a few thousands - it does not necessarily reflect the way you feel. I do have a friend who has TPO's in their thousands, yet she feels nothing. Personally I have shown a few hundreds, and I did feel pretty ill before diagnose and treatment. If your blood test shows up positive numbers of autoantibodies, all it proves is that there is an autoimmune process going on in your body, aimed to destroy your thyroid gland in the long run.... but this process could take many months to a life time. Hope this makes things a little clearer, Best wishes, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 5, 2010 Report Share Posted June 5, 2010 Thanks , My first post around the 2nd May gave all me symptoms etc if you want to have a look. I think the overwhelming feeling of tiredness, aches pains and inability to lose weight with just feeling flat are my main biggies and I am off to the Endo on Thursday to see what they think. Regards Stacey > > > > Hi Stacey, According to Dr.Peatfield - " the presence of positive > autoantibodies is diagnostic for Hashimoto's " . - The 'presence of > positive autoantibodies' in this instance means a number above the ref > range ... in your case a number above 30 - therefore your 18 AA's will > be put down as " normal " . However, as I understand this whole business > with autoantibodies, they fluctuate greatly. Your count of 18 one day > *might* go up above the norm range another day -or it might not... > What - in my opinion - all this means is that you have to watch it. I do > not know any of your background, but since you have joined this forum, I > take it that you must have concerns about being hypothyroid. Whilst most > people with hypothyroidism (some say 90%) suffer from autoimmune > thyroiditis (Hashimoto's - meaning you have got thyroid autoantibodies), > not all do ... and the treatment would be the same - autoimmune or not. > I guess what I am trying to say in a round-about way is that whether you > have positive autoantibodies (TPO or TgAB) or not is not the > all-deciding factor. You could be hypothyroid with or without positive > numbers of TPO or TgAB. It just makes diagnosing easier if you do have > them. As understand it, the actual number (once you have positive AAs) > is of little consequence; it is the presence that matters. Some people > have a few hundreds, others a few thousands - it does not necessarily > reflect the way you feel. I do have a friend who has TPO's in their > thousands, yet she feels nothing. Personally I have shown a few > hundreds, and I did feel pretty ill before diagnose and treatment. If > your blood test shows up positive numbers of autoantibodies, all it > proves is that there is an autoimmune process going on in your body, > aimed to destroy your thyroid gland in the long run.... but this process > could take many months to a life time. Hope this makes things a little > clearer, Best wishes, > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 5, 2010 Report Share Posted June 5, 2010 Hi , yes this is positive but on the low side could be due to early disease or a low attack. the range is just that but a lab would say this is normal as they will not start treatment until it is quite high say about150-200. I have a level of 115.5 which is out of range but this is a estamate as I ouly tested while taking thyroid meds. if the meds and selenium suppresses the auto-antibodies by say 100% then the result of 15.5which is normal reflects this so can`t use this test to get treatment for my doctor. ! oh well back to the drawing board as they say. lol. what is the results of your other tests TSH-T4 etc: the T4 do not move that much only the T3 and the TSH is a wast of time. Angel. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 5, 2010 Report Share Posted June 5, 2010 Hi there, My TSH has gone up from 1.3 to 2.7 but as the range is 0.3 to 4.3 and I am within that they will not test my 3's and 4's. SO I am planning to use a Thyroid UK recommended lab to have a private blood test if my Endo appt at Addenbrookes on Thurs proves a waste of time. My GP has agreed to draw the bloods for me which is something. I have been having symptoms for at least 7 yrs on and off - I put the tiredness and low level depressive episodes down to heavy difficult periods - and when they discovered large fibroids and I had a hysterectomy (still have ovaries) that was 4.5 yrs ago and bit by bit other symptoms have come along and if you see my first posting I have rather a lot! Was being fed up with the 'your a female in your 40's/perimenapausal' suggestions - I have no doubt about being perimenapausal even pre menapausal most women are in their 40's. BUT as we know underlying conditions can exacerbate - particularly hormonal. Stacey > > Hi , yes this is positive but on the low side could be due to early disease or a low attack. the range is just that but a lab would say this is normal as they will not start treatment until it is quite high say about > 150-200. I have a level of 115.5 which is out of range but this is a estamate as I ouly tested while taking thyroid meds. if the meds and selenium suppresses the auto-antibodies by say 100% then the result of 15.5 > which is normal reflects this so can`t use this test to get treatment for my doctor. ! oh well back to the drawing board as they say. lol. what is the results of your other tests TSH-T4 etc: the T4 do not move that much only the T3 and the TSH is a wast of time. Angel. > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 5, 2010 Report Share Posted June 5, 2010 Stacey, do you know that Thyroid Patient Advocacy patients get discounts for thyroid and adrenal testing at Genova Diagnostics. We also get 33% discounts on thyroid and adrenal supplements from Nutri Ltd. Go to our FILES section from the Home Page of this forum and scroll down the folders, until you see one entitled 'DISCOUNTS' and click on the Genova document and follow the instructions from there. Remember that you must put Thyroid Patient Advocacy down as your practitioner, otherwise, you will not get the discounts. Any results will be sent direct to you. If you had a TSH of 2.7 . The American TSH reference range is 0.3 to 3.0. The German and Belgium TSH ref. range is 0.3 to 2.5 with a recommendation the top level of the range be dropped still further to 1.5 - and Sweden have now recommended their TSH ref. range be dropped to 0.3 to 2.5 - so you can see, that if you presented with a TSH of 2.7 in would have been given a diagnosis. Do ask your GP to test your ferritin, vitamin B12, vitamin D3, magnesium, folate copper and zinc. Any of these being low in the reference range would stop your thyroid hormone from converting. Doing a TSH test alone is a pituitary secretion, it is not a thyroid secretion and you cannot tell whether they thyroid is secretion sufficient thyroid hormones as the TSH is not a test that can be relied on. You need to know your free T4 and free T3 level. Thyroxine is a mainly inactive hormone, and it has to convert through the liver, kidneys, brain, skin and loads of other thyroid hormone receptors throughout the body to the active thyroid hormone T3. It is T3 your body and brain require to make them function. When you get the results for these tests, do post them here together with the reference range for each one done. Luv - Sheila My TSH has gone up from 1.3 to 2.7 but as the range is 0.3 to 4.3 and I am within that they will not test my 3's and 4's. SO I am planning to use a Thyroid UK recommended lab to have a private blood test if my Endo appt at Addenbrookes on Thurs proves a waste of time. My GP has agreed to draw the bloods for me which is something. I have been having symptoms for at least 7 yrs on and off - I put the tiredness and low level depressive episodes down to heavy difficult periods - and when they discovered large fibroids and I had a hysterectomy (still have ovaries) that was 4.5 yrs ago and bit by bit other symptoms have come along and if you see my first posting I have rather a lot! Was being fed up with the 'your a female in your 40's/perimenapausal' suggestions - I have no doubt about being perimenapausal even pre menapausal most women are in their 40's. BUT as we know underlying conditions can exacerbate - particularly hormonal. Stacey Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 6, 2010 Report Share Posted June 6, 2010 Stacey - NEVER accept that your blood tests are NORMAL or WITHIN RANGE just because your doctor or nurse have told you so. We need to know exactly WHERE in the reference range your results actually lie. For instance, your B12 is FAR from normal. B12 should be right at the top of the reference range, and your result is right at the very bottom and your B12 must be supplemented as quickly as possible If your GP refuses to treat such a very low level, then you will have to do this yourself by getting B12 1000mcgs sublingual tablets and taking one, or even two tablets daily until your level is much higher (Solgar brand are excellent). Also, can you get all your blood test results from your doctor and post the figures, together with the reference range for each of the tests done please? We can then hopefully, be in a better position to help you. Yes, bloating is very common with an underactive thyroid. If you are retaining fluid, ask your GP if s/he will prescribe you a non-potassium depleting diuretic to see if this helps. Luv - Sheila I have had my B12 which was 292 range(200-600) and my folate and ferritin were also with in range as well. A couple of people have commented on how my B12 is very low?! Today and yesterday I feel really bloated in my torso and face - I hate this feeling - I feel like I look pregnant and all my clothes feel tight against me - even my bra. This just adds to me feeling yukky. I try to drnk at least 4-6 pints of filtered water a day, but either which way nothing really helps anymore. Is this bloating quite common with underactive thyroid?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 6, 2010 Report Share Posted June 6, 2010 Hi Sheila, I will post more when I have been to the Endo on Thursday - by the way I have noticed that it is the Gynae Endo that I am seeing - does this mean that they will just look at the 'womens stuff' or will consider my thyroid as well.? I will ask my GP about B12 injections and the stuff for the bloating. My aim is to find out - treat and then one day put a positive success posting on here and also to support others - I cannot believe how common this all is for so many people!!! Many thanks Stacey Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 6, 2010 Report Share Posted June 6, 2010 Hi Stacey, That is an awful lot to drink! drinking too much can be bad for you too- putting extra pressure on the kidneys. bloating is very common with hypo- both non pitting oedema and fluid retention. > thyroid treatment > From: stacey57@...> Date: Sun, 6 Jun 2010 11:44:39 +0000> Subject: Re: ANTI TPO> > > > > Hi SHeila,> I have had my B12 which was 292 range(200-600) and my folate and ferritin were also with in range as well. A couple of people have commented on how my B12 is very low?!> > Today and yesterday I feel really bloated in my torso and face - I hate this feeling - I feel like I look pregnant and all my clothes feel tight against me - even my bra. This just adds to me feeling yukky. I try to drnk at least 4-6 pints of filtered water a day, but either which way nothing really helps anymore.> Is this bloating quite common with underactive thyroid?? > This forum is really helping me to feel like I am not on my own here going mad.> > Thanks again.> > > > ------------------------------------> > TPA is not medically qualified. Consult with a qualified medical practitioner before changing medication.> > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 6, 2010 Report Share Posted June 6, 2010 Hi Stacey, endo may be a gynae- and gyn problem are common with hypo so do talk about ALL you symptoms- give her/him a list! check the list on the forum files to make sure you don't forget anything. > thyroid treatment > From: stacey57@...> Date: Sun, 6 Jun 2010 15:01:08 +0000> Subject: Re: ANTI TPO> > Hi Sheila,> > I will post more when I have been to the Endo on Thursday - by the way I have noticed that it is the Gynae Endo that I am seeing - does this mean that they will just look at the 'womens stuff' or will consider my thyroid as well.? > I will ask my GP about B12 injections and the stuff for the bloating.> > My aim is to find out - treat and then one day put a positive success posting on here and also to support others - I cannot believe how common this all is for so many people!!!> > Many thanks> > Stacey> > > > ------------------------------------> > TPA is not medically qualified. Consult with a qualified medical practitioner before changing medication.> > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 6, 2010 Report Share Posted June 6, 2010 Oh My - There was a program on tv just last night about how young healthy people were dying on the Kakoda track (an endurance experience undertaken by Aussie) because they were drinking 4-6 ltrs of water and WASHING OUT THEIR SALTS. They had some doctors testing their salt content each day and those who drank 4-6 litres were washing out their vital salt. PLEASE PLEASE STOP DRINKING SO MUCH WATER. They recovered within a few hours http://sixtyminutes.ninemsn.com.au/blog.aspx?blogentryid=653723 & showcomments=tru\ e Oh and welcome to the forum, I never stop learning new 'stuff' its great F > > > > Today and yesterday I feel really bloated in my torso and face - I hate this feeling - I feel like I look pregnant and all my clothes feel tight against me - even my bra. This just adds to me feeling yukky. I try to drnk at least 4-6 pints of filtered water a day, but either which way nothing really helps anymore. > > Is this bloating quite common with underactive thyroid?? > > This forum is really helping me to feel like I am not on my own here going mad. > > > > Thanks again. > > > > > > > > ------------------------------------ > > > > TPA is not medically qualified. Consult with a qualified medical practitioner before changing medication. > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 7, 2010 Report Share Posted June 7, 2010 Hi there, sorry you've been feeling so uncomfortable with the bloating. I suffer from the same thing when I'm underactive. I get puffy eyes and face and also very sore breasts before my period and my stomach blows up like I'm pregnant. A previous endo even prescribed diuretics for me and this helped for a while but it's obviously not a long term solution. I've also bought over the counter diuretics but not really given them chance to work yet and as I'm taking so many other supplements I'm not sure if it's a good idea. The problem does ease when I'm euthyroid again. I find taking evening primrose oil really helps with the sore breasts and I'm supposed to be cutting out wheat and dairy to see if this eases my symptoms but its really hard to do when I'm comfort eating all the time and trying to make some energy from cakes and chocolate! You could try this - cutting out wheat and dairy and see if it helps but the main thing is to get you back up to normal thyroxine levels. Helen > Is this bloating quite common with underactive thyroid?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 7, 2010 Report Share Posted June 7, 2010 Hi all, Think there has been misunderstanding - I drink up to 6 PINTS of water a day not litres - no wonder I would be sloshing about and on the loo all the time. Cheers Stacey Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 7, 2010 Report Share Posted June 7, 2010 Hi there, Thanks Helen - my breasts do get very heavy and sore at some point of the month - lose track as I don't have periods since hysterectomy (kept ovaries) - I am sure that they are bigger probably withthe weight gain but I do wear a proper fitting bra for support. I wish they were smaller and maybe one day who knows. Hate the bloating/puffiness and will ask about non potassium diuretics. See my connected posting around the bloating I had after my hysterectomy. Thanks Stacey Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 7, 2010 Report Share Posted June 7, 2010 Hi Stacey, 6 pints is still a large amount- unless it is exceptionally hot and dry where you are. The UK recommendation is 8 glasses which would be3- 4pints . > thyroid treatment > From: stacey57@...> Date: Mon, 7 Jun 2010 11:29:46 +0000> Subject: Re: ANTI TPO> > > > Hi all,> > Think there has been misunderstanding - I drink up to 6 PINTS of water a day not litres - no wonder I would be sloshing about and on the loo all the time.> > Cheers> Stacey> > > > ------------------------------------> > TPA is not medically qualified. Consult with a qualified medical practitioner before changing medication.> > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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