I've just started on a really low dose of thyroxine (i.e. 25mcg) after having a test for thyroid antibodies. For the last few months my TSH has been around 5.6, which is just over borderline in the UK. The thyroid antibody test result was 406 iu/ml, with the normal range being 0-82 iu/ml, and based on this they started my treatment.
My question to you lot is have you had your antibodies tested? What were your results and what do they mean?
Mine are 397 and anything over 35 is High for the thyroid peroxidase and for the thyroglobin antibodies it was 23 anything over 20 is high . My doc said it means that my immune system is fighting against my thyroid like a virus. I just started Synthroid 25mcg
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Victoria & Steven
TTC-05/05
PCOS, IR, Hashi's Thyroid, RT. Tube blocked 1/08
2000mg Metformin, 112mcg Synthroid, 2.5mg Femara
#1-O-cd 16-BFN
#2-O-cd 18-BFN
#3-O-cd 13-BFN
#4-O-cd 14-15-BFP 15 DPO on 12/14/08-
M/C at 6 weeks
#5-O-cd 16-BFN
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I guess. It am may be a placebo effect though. I only started a week ago. I feel I am more awake in the mornings. I will update when I have been on it longer and after I see my doc for the 6 week check-up
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Victoria & Steven
TTC-05/05
PCOS, IR, Hashi's Thyroid, RT. Tube blocked 1/08
2000mg Metformin, 112mcg Synthroid, 2.5mg Femara
#1-O-cd 16-BFN
#2-O-cd 18-BFN
#3-O-cd 13-BFN
#4-O-cd 14-15-BFP 15 DPO on 12/14/08-
M/C at 6 weeks
#5-O-cd 16-BFN
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I know what you mean - I'm so happy to have a diagnosis that I'm probably feeling better anyway! But I do feel clearer in the head and am finding it easier to concentrate already. Anyhow, hope you all feel better eventuallyx
My doctor did not say anything about antibodies. I am not even sure if he tested them. Should I ask him to? What info can we get from knowing the level?
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I was wondering the same thing as Jenni. It seems like it is treated the same way either way. Is there some other treatment for Hashimoto's for the antibodies?
Hey, guys, from the little that I know, I think that the antibodies test just confirms that your thyroid is under attack, i.e. it is underactive because of an autoimmune problem i.e. hashimotos. It doesn't require separate treatment but it does suggest that your thyroid won't get better on its own.
Everyone who has an abnormal thyroid test should be tested for antibodies to help determine the cause of the poorly-functioning thyroid (i.e., rule out cancer and/or get a dx of Hashimoto's).
Also, for those being treated for hypothyroidism, that doesn't mean your antibodies are being treated or will lower (though they fluctuate). You can try taking Selenium to lower them (and help halt their attack on your thyroid gland). You can google it for more info. Selenium is available at your local drug store (or Wal-Mart) for about $6-7. I take 200mcg daily.
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I just found out two days ago I have the antibody. My endo told me that the antibody is inherited from your mother's side of the family. It may skip generations, as it did in my family, my mom doesn't have thyroid issues, but all of my aunts, grandmother, and great-grandmother do.
The reason he tested me was he put me on .025 mg of Levoxyl and my numbers dropped to lower than they were when I wasn't being treated. The antibodies were attacking the additional thyroid. So, my test was positive and therefore he upped my Levoxyl to .100 mg and I do more blood work next month to see if it needs to be adjusted.
Hope this helps!
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I've accepted fate and know I will never carry a child of my own.
So are antibodies an effective way of dx'ing thyroid problems? I recently begged my GP for a b/w order and he requested TSH and antibodies, as well as some blood count and iron stuff. He didn't request T3 or T4.
I just wonder since I don't have a lot of time in the day to get to the hospital, and he's not even sure they'll accept the order since it's from another state. But he does want to see me about it when I have a chance to get home, so I'm curious if I should actually take the effort to get tested now with this order? Or wait til I see him?
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Well, from what I understand from my doctor, the antibody issue is just another thyroid issue. Some people may have the antibody, but still have normal TSH results. My issue came from having the antibody and an under active thyroid. When I started treating the under active thyroid, the antibodies went into over drive. I can't remember why my numbers were exactly, but after starting the meds my number was 7.9 and the doc upped by thyroid medication.
I think if you have a family history, especially on your mother's side, it might be worth the test.
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I've accepted fate and know I will never carry a child of my own.
thyroid antibodies 
