Question about thyroglobulin antibody test

[Guest guest]

Chuck,

I'm dealing with the same thing Jenna is. Last May my TSH was 8.55 and my

thyroglobulin was at 0.03. The thyroglobulin antibodies were at 90.0 and the

thyroid perioxidase was at 70. My doctor increased my meds and the Tsh went down

to 0.04 and the free T3 and T4 are in the upper quarter of the range. However

my thyroid antibodies went way up to 2670. This whole thing is making me crazy

because I thought once you were properly medicated the antibodies should abate

somewhat. That last test was June 28th. Today I'm going for another test and

my follow up appointment is for next week.

Helena

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 8/5/05 11:17:51 AM Eastern Daylight Time,

cblatchl@... writes:

It means the roller coaster ride will end.

Thanks Chuck. From your lips to God's ears. My fear is if my antibodies stop

attacking the thyroid are they going to go after something else.

Helena

[Guest guest]

Thanks Gracia. I'm already doing the DHEA thing. I'm using the 7-Keto one.

Don't want to over do it because I'm already having hair problems and too much

can cause hair loss.

Helena

[Guest guest]

Going to a new doctor today. Hope to get switched to Armour. I know he

will prescibe it, so I'll see. I was looking through my copies of lab

work and saw the thyroglobulin antibody test was done on my first

visit with the primary care doctor before I was diagnosed with Hypo.

The number it shows is 12.47. But I have no reference numbers. I don't

ever remember them talking about this test. Anybody have info for me?

Is this number ok? I'll ask the doctor when I see him this morning,

but I'd like to go in with some idea about it.

thanks.

jenna

[Guest guest]

Jenna OHoran wrote:

> Going to a new doctor today. Hope to get switched to Armour. I know he

> will prescibe it, so I'll see. I was looking through my copies of lab

> work and saw the thyroglobulin antibody test was done on my first

> visit with the primary care doctor before I was diagnosed with Hypo.

> The number it shows is 12.47. But I have no reference numbers. ...

There should be some minimum detectable number, say around 2. The fact

that you have detectable antibodies suggests the cause of your hypoT is

due to an autoimmune condition (Hashimoto's Thyroiditis). The

significance is that your need for replacement hormone is likely to be

variable (up AND down), that you and your doctor will need to stay on

top of it, probably with more frequent tests.

Chuck

[Guest guest]

Thanks, I'll bring that up with him today.

> > Going to a new doctor today. Hope to get switched to Armour. I know he

> > will prescibe it, so I'll see. I was looking through my copies of lab

> > work and saw the thyroglobulin antibody test was done on my first

> > visit with the primary care doctor before I was diagnosed with Hypo.

> > The number it shows is 12.47. But I have no reference numbers. ...

>

> There should be some minimum detectable number, say around 2. The fact

> that you have detectable antibodies suggests the cause of your hypoT is

> due to an autoimmune condition (Hashimoto's Thyroiditis). The

> significance is that your need for replacement hormone is likely to be

> variable (up AND down), that you and your doctor will need to stay on

> top of it, probably with more frequent tests.

>

> Chuck

[Guest guest]

Helena,

You wrote:

> ... This whole thing is making me crazy

> because I thought once you were properly medicated the antibodies should abate

> somewhat. ...

No, the medications do not affect the antibodies directly. If anything,

they can slightly stimulate the very reaction by supplying the hormone

which the antibodies are attacking. When the levels are high, it

suggests that a full scale attack is in progress, and that your natural

thyroid production will be falling. Eventually, the antibodies will

destroy the gland completely, after which the antibodies will decline

and probably even disappear.

Ironically, this is actually good news. It means that your hormone

output will stabilize (at zero), so your replacement dose should remain

fixed. It means the roller coaster ride will end.

Chuck

[Guest guest]

you need other hormones like DHEA and cortisol to reduce antibodies. Docs

are unfamiliar with these hormones b/c they are not marketed to them. And

docs ignore adrenals.

Gracia

> Chuck,

>

> I'm dealing with the same thing Jenna is. Last May my TSH was 8.55 and my

> thyroglobulin was at 0.03. The thyroglobulin antibodies were at 90.0 and

the

> thyroid perioxidase was at 70. My doctor increased my meds and the Tsh

went down

> to 0.04 and the free T3 and T4 are in the upper quarter of the range.

However

> my thyroid antibodies went way up to 2670. This whole thing is making me

crazy

> because I thought once you were properly medicated the antibodies should

abate

> somewhat. That last test was June 28th. Today I'm going for another test

and

> my follow up appointment is for next week.

>

> Helena

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

how much 7-keto? I think 50mg is about right. You probly need some other

hormones for hair loss, or else better thyroid treatment.

Gracia.

Thanks Gracia. I'm already doing the DHEA thing. I'm using the 7-Keto one.

Don't want to over do it because I'm already having hair problems and too

much

can cause hair loss.

Helena