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Elevated Anti-TPO antibodies 141 (<34)

Hi I was recently diagnosed with hypothyroidism and I had a blood test to check my antibodies. They came back with my Anti-TPO antibodies at 141 (<34) and I have had a lot of symptoms which I am not sure are down to the elevation in antibodies or not. I was on Levothyroxine but since my Free T3 and Free T4 were both high and out of range I was advised to skip a few days' doses. Whenever I go to my doctor about my symptoms they always say the symptoms I experience are normal and that they are not things that need urgent attention. They also say they do not treat patients based on how they feel and I have felt horrendous from this afternoon. I was advised by my endocrinologist to go gluten-free for a few weeks, which I did and did so very strictly and my antibodies dropped but now they have risen again and I don't know why.

Any help on the above would be great. :)
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Avatar universal
Thanks for looking into this for me. :)

I don't remember what the doctor said but none of those similar conditions ring a bell.. I remember her saying it isn't vitiligo and that she had white spots and patches on her skin herself. Oh well! Never mind! :)
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1756321 tn?1547095325
It's not surprising docs don't like patients researching on the net because the patient might know more about the condition then they do. :)

With a diagnosis of Hashimoto's thyroiditis, vitiligo is looking more likely. But anyway, Patient UK lists other possible diagnoses...

"Differential diagnosis

Typical vitiligo may be easy to diagnose in primary care. Atypical variations may require referral to a specialist for confirmation.[5]

Other conditions to consider include:[3]

* Use of potent topical steroids or other types of scarring.
* Leprosy, especially the tuberculoid variety.
* Piebaldism.
* Tinea versicolor.
* Tuberous sclerosis.
* Post-inflammatory hypopigmentation, following inflammatory skin conditions such as eczema.
* Pityriasis alba.
* Idiopathic guttate hypomelanosis. Numerous small white macules distributed symmetrically on the trunk, arms and legs. It has a different appearance under a Wood's light.
* Halo naevus.
* Lichen sclerosus and atrophicus. Itchy white patches on the perineum most frequently.
* Chloasma (melasma). Hyperpigmentation of the face in women who are pregnant or on the combined oral contraceptive pill.
* Albinism. Generalised lack of pigment, including the eyes, present from birth.
* Morphoea. Localised thickening of the dermis due to excess collagen."
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Avatar universal
Fungus? That's a new one LOL. :)

I once spoke to the doctor (not at my current practice, the one I went to before) and she said that it wasn't vitiligo. It was something else. Definitely not fungus though.

I have no family history of thyroid disease, pernicious anaemia or addison's. Diabetes and Multiple Sclerosis, however. My doctor says there is no link between Multiple Sclerosis and Hashimoto's!

I don't think my doctor's heard of a Wood's light. And I think if I even suggest it she'd be like "where did you get that from?" She is one of those doctors who tells her patients off for using the internet to research their illnesses.

I have an appointment with her on Friday to discuss other symptoms I have (which I have never ever really talked about as I had always spoken to them about the Hashimoto's ones) and I am really nervous about my appointment. I just have this feeling that nothing will come out of it as they always seem that way when I see her and I'll be left disappointed. I have created a draft letter to take with me but it's three and a half pages long of symptoms!
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1756321 tn?1547095325
I went in to see my doctor about my white patches when I was 15 and my doctor misdiagnosed them as fungus. O_o :)

The diagnosis of persistent generalized lymphadenopathy (PGL) requires swollen glands in two or more parts of the body outside the groin (eg: neck and armpits) for three months or longer. Common causes of lymphadenopathy are listed as infection, autoimmune disease, or malignancy.  I had swollen lymph nodes in my neck when Graves antibodies showed up for a couple of months.

Some info from Patient UK on Vitiligo...

"Epidemiology
It occurs in about 0.5% of the population.[2] It is more obvious but no more frequent in dark-skinned races. It affects all age groups. Sex distribution is equal.

Risk factors[3]

* Family history of vitiligo.

* Personal or family history of other autoimmune diseases, particularly thyroid disease. Also pernicious anaemia, Addison's disease and diabetes.

* Melanoma and cutaneous T-cell lymphoma."

"Investigations

* The diagnosis is generally made clinically.

* Check for evidence of associated disease such as diabetes, pernicious anaemia, thyroid disease and Addison's disease.

* A Wood's light can be helpful to exclude superficial fungal infections that fluoresce in the ultraviolet light. Not all fungal infections fluoresce and the colour with which they fluoresce also varies. If a Wood's light is shone on areas of depigmentation, the exact margin is more readily seen on fair skin and the lesions appear a bright blue-white."
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Avatar universal
Yes, I have white patches and spots on my arms and legs and are on both sides of the body. Not the exact same place but thereabouts. Is there any way to get tested for this to be sure?

With the DR5 part at the bottom, I have lymphadenopathy in my neck. The hyoid, the bit under my jaw, has a lump as does parts of level 2 and 3 of my right and high left level 5 on the neck. Notes from ultrasound scan.
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1756321 tn?1547095325
My cluster of autoimmune diseases is called polyglandular syndrome type 3.  Vitiligo is common with thyroid disease. You don't have any white spots/patches now?  I also had white spots with B12 malabsorption but those spots go away when I'm optimally treated (and comes back within 3 weeks without B12 - won't do that again!). The vitiligo stays around like a bad smell lol and it's roughly mirror image on both sides of the body.

I have permanent circular patches of hair loss but not on my scalp. My nail also have some pitting which I found out not too long ago is another possible symptom of alopecia.

There is over 80 autoimmune diseases but due to genetics, certain autoimmune diseases cluster together more commonly.  Hashimoto's thyroiditis is seen with either HLA-DR3 or HLA-DR5 genes. Here is some info from Wikipedia...

"HLA-DR3 is associated with early-age onset myasthenia gravis, Hashimoto's thyroiditis (along with DR5), primary sclerosing cholangitis,[2] and opportunistic infections in AIDS,[3] but lowered risk for cancers.[4]

DR3 and/or DQ2 is associated with Moreen's ulceration,[6] "bout onset" multiple sclerosis,[7] Grave's disease[8] and systemic lupus erythematosus[9]

DR3-DQ2 linkage is associated with coeliac disease, dermatitis herpetiformis, Diabetes mellitus type 1."

"DR5 is associated with persistent generalized lymphadenopathy (PGL)[3] and Kaposi sarcoma in AIDS,[4] juvenile rheumatoid arthritis,[5][6] pernicious anemia, Hashimoto's thyroiditis,[7][8] mycosis fungoides,[9] polyglandular deficiency syndrome,[10] systemic sclerosis,[11][12] childhood epilepsy,[13] early-onset alopecia areata,[14] short-ragweed Ra6 allergy,[15] primary antiphospholipid syndrome,[16] and increased longevity in the Dutch[17]"


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Avatar universal
I thought I had vitiligo because I have patches of white on my skin - and I am very pale skinned!

Alopecia I thought I had because I lose hair when I wash it in the shower and it blocks the plughole.

I have positive Anti-Nuclear antibodies but the endocrinologist didn't test me for every single antibody under that term.

Family has a prominent history of diabetes. It's skipped me.
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1756321 tn?1547095325
Probably your skin isn't as sensitive as mine.  The stinging never went away no matter how long I used the spray.  

Hashimoto's thyroiditis is an autoimmune disease so the body is attacking the thyroid gland because it thinks it is foreign tissue. Silly immune system lol. Do you have any other autoimmune diseases? I have autoimmune pernicious anaemia, Hashimoto's thyroiditis, vitiligo, alopecia areta.
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Avatar universal
Thanks, I thought I was going mad when my skin didn't tingle as much the day after I first used it. Maybe my pores might have closed up? Just a thought.
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Avatar universal
Hi, thanks for your reply. I will note down all your recommendations. :)

My endo told me I have hashimoto's so that is a thyroid disorder and it's responsible for the elevated antibodies... or am I wrong? She also told me to use Shea butter for dry skin but the dry skin hasn't really cleared up.

I was also told to go on the Mirena coil for my heavy periods but I didn't like the sound of that.

I Googled all the ingredients from the shampoo and shower gel - they're mostly silicone based and one is used to make the shampoo pearlescent!
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1530171 tn?1448129593
Angelaska, I have been purchasing magnesium chloride flakes wholesale from a large importer here in Canada, and re-selling it locally on a co-op/share basis to a number of people, since it is much cheaper and I get free shipping as well!

I advise people to mix it 50-50 with water to make their own "magnesium oil",
which is not an oil. It got its name from the smooth greasy feel it leaves on the skin.
So far the only complaint was by someone who found it was stinging a lot, so I suggested to dilute it further, which resolved the issue.

If you do a mag. oil treatment every other day, your mg levels should rise within a few weeks. After, you could reduce your treatments to twice weekly for maintenance.

It is a superior way to supplement, since it gets absorbed through the skin ,
whereas oral magnesium goes through the digestive track and is much less effective and also takes much longer to raise its levels, since  it has laxative effects and must be taken in small doses.

You will feel its effects soon and your skin will thank you too. lol!
After my mag. oil treatment, I shower, dry and then use a long handle natural bristle brush and do my own lymphatic stimulation massage.
  Feels great!  You ought to try it!

Oh, BTW, look up all the ingredients in your shampoo and shower gel!
You will be shocked to find out details about some of the so-called natural ingredients or extracts and other chemicals.
As for your toothpaste and mouthwash, I would ditch them asap, if I were you. Just do a search under "Ten top dangers of Fluoride" for details.
You have enough health issues to deal with, you don't need added ones.

You can make your own healthy toothpaste (see online recipes and videos) and the best mouthwash healthy substitute is parsley (chewing) , but the best results for oral/dental sanitation, hygiene and health with long benefits is "Oil Pulling" using coconut oil. Your entire mouth, teeth and gums will be eternally grateful!!!
I have been oil pulling for years on a daily basis and my oral/dental health has been excellent.

In regards to your temp. taking I would do it for longer, just to establish a
pattern and then you average it out.
Like if you take it ten times
(always first thing in the morning-glass thermometer ready-no covers-away from heat generating partner if you have one- for ten full minutes under arm- and must be free from any infection for accuracy) you simply add all the readings and divide by ten, or you can graph it by temperature on the vertical and days on the horizontal and draw the average temp. line.
So far it's indicative of low thyroid function, which does not surprise me and guess what? Fluoride contributes to hypothyroidism!

Cheers!
Niko
Helpful - 0
1756321 tn?1547095325
I have used magnesium spray myself but I'd have that stinging feeling and I'd be splashing water on my skin to get rid of it.  I used magnesium chelated with amino acids supplements to correct my severe magnesium deficiency but am currently drinking a glass of delicious Voost effervescent magnesium and multi vitamin daily when I go walking on the treadmill.

This is from Ancient Minerals - FAQ page....

"I EXPERIENCE SOME TINGLING WHEN I APPLY THE ANCIENT MINERALS MAGNESIUM OIL OR GEL. IS THIS NORMAL?

Some users of magnesium oil and magnesium gel with sensitive skin may experience tingling and/or slight irritation at the site of application due to the high concentration of magnesium chloride. This is completely harmless, and varies based on a number of factors, including how much is applied and where it is applied on the body.

Diluting the magnesium oil 1:1 with pure spring water can reduce this effect, although this is a matter of personal preference. Those who experience this effect also report that the tingling lessens with each subsequent application.

Another option is to choose Ancient Minerals magnesium lotion or magnesium bath flakes, for use in foot soaks and/or full body soaks, which offer a gentler form of transdermal magnesium therapy, for those with extremely sensitive or broken skin."
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Avatar universal
Thanks, I have a magnesium spray that I just apply to my arms and legs. Apparently it's meant to produce a tingling sensation on the areas sprayed on. It worked the first time which made me think I was magnesium deficient but when I used it again the next day there was no tingling. I then thought that perhaps my magnesium levels had magically risen within a day! The spray wasn't cheap either!
Helpful - 0
1756321 tn?1547095325
My blood glucose has always been normal. My oral glucose tolerance test showed up pre diabetes plus my insulin was sky high just confirming what I already knew from my numerous symptoms - severe insulin resistance.

Many symptoms of magnesium deficiency are also symptoms of other conditions too of course. It can't hurt to try magnesium to see if any symptoms improve.

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Avatar universal
Gosh, sorry to hear about your mitral valve.

I don't have severe chocolate craving (I don't think I have) or nail biting but I do bite the inside of my cheek and my lips, sometimes.

Symptoms I have of the ones you kindly provided:

- Heart palpitations. The heart rate doubling I think is palpitations. At least that was what a health advisor told me! Heart arrythmias, if that's where the heart rate goes fast then back to normal and then slow, yes, I have that from time to time.

- Chest tightness - I sometimes get that but I have always put that down to the iron deficiency.

- Urinary spasms - not sure about that. I get spasms in my bladder that come in waves but that's when I need to go!

- Constipation - yes, definitely, but have put that down to the Hashimoto's.

- Menstrual cramps - yes, very bad cramps. Premenstrual irritability, yes but not all the time, very rarely.

- Difficulty swallowing - yes, definitely.

- Insomnia -it doesn't usually take much for me to wind down but I have had two nights where I have had vivid nightmares that have woken me up.

- Light sensitivity - only when I step outside first thing during the day and the sun is in my eyes. My eyes water when this happens.

- Loud noise sensitivity - sometimes.

- High blood pressure - from time to time, my blood pressure is mostly normal. I don't know what the two high readings were all about!

- Numbness, tingling, zips, zaps and other vibratory sensations - Tingling I get in my feet and legs in bed or first thing when I get up in the mornings. I have had vibrations in my spine, not sure if I still get them.

- Being uptight - I close up in public places and in large crowds. I can be prone to temper in these situations, too.

- Muscle twitches - in my eyelids and upper thighs. Soreness - I've noticed some soreness in my elbows. As if I have a cut there when I rub it. When I look there isn't and then I think I'm imagining it. Cramps - yes, especially when walking because I get them in the backs of my calves. Tension - not very much. Tightness - in my hips, and again, when walking.

- Back aches - not really.

- Neck pain - I get some neck pain in the sides on either side of my thyroid, mainly the right side. I put that down to thyroid problems, as in the goitre coming back and pressing on the lymph nodes or muscles there.

- Headaches - yes, I get headaches first thing in the morning and they last pretty much up until the late afternoon some days. Migraines - I used to get them but not so much now.

- Jaw joint problems - I get some cracking/popping in my jaw sometimes. And pain.

- Needing to sigh a lot - yes, as if I've run out of air. I put that down to the iron deficiency.

- Hiccups - yes, quite badly. They can last for about an hour sometimes.

- Leg spasms - don't think so.

- Charlie horses - don't think so.

- Restless leg syndrome - well, I get cold, wet feelings on my legs when in bed some nights and when I move them it helps and the sensation comes back. I think that's restless leg syndrome, so I think so.

- Anxiety - yes.

- Panic attacks - if something particularly scary (to me) happens, yes.

- Hyperactivity - I think it depends on my mood. If I am irritable I have more of a need to be more active. I guess it's like being "wired" or "keyed up". So maybe.

- Angina - I get chest pain in my heart area (this has been very recent) but I don't get this pain when I'm walking uphill. My grandmother suffers from angina and uses nitroglycerin so I know of some of the symptoms of angina as she told me, but I don't think I have that.

I don't think I have pre-diabetes as my HbA1c was 33 and the range I think for that is 48. But I didn't fast and my blood glucose was also quite good. Again, I didn't fast for that either but the doctor doesn't tell me these things or when doing a full blood panel they mention a blood glucose fasting! However, I don't think I should be eating refined sugar as much now.
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1756321 tn?1547095325
Just to add, refined sugar also raises blood glucose and insulin quickly so that could be the issue with the tingling too.  My tingling/numbness was bad when I had pre diabetes.
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1756321 tn?1547095325
I've had severe magnesium deficiency and had a very long list of symptoms. Yes one of them is tingling! The list below isn't all of the symptoms by a long shot and doesn't list severe symptoms I had from hallucinations to seizures. My mitral heart valve is calcified poor thing. Two symptoms that I didn't even know were magnesium symptoms were severe chocolate craving and nail biting. I like magnesium a whole lot! :)

Excerpt from Best Magnesium Citrate - How to Fix Heart Palpitations or Irregular Heart Beat...

"It has been found that 4 out of 5 people in the US (or 80%) are deficient in magnesium. If you are experiencing 2 or 3 of the following symptoms, you probably are one of them.

- heart palpitations, heart arrhythmias
- chest tightness
- urinary spasms
- constipation
- menstrual cramps, premenstrual irritability
- difficulty swallowing, a feeling of a lump in the throat
- insomnia
- light sensitivity, loud noise sensitivity
- high blood pressure
- numbness, tingling, zips, zaps and other vibratory sensations
- being uptight or prone to temper
- muscle twitches, soreness, cramps, spasms, tension, tightness
- back aches, neck pain
- headaches, migraines
- jaw joint problems
- needing to sigh a lot, unable to take a deep breath
- hiccups
- leg spasms, charlie horses, restless leg syndrome
- anxiety, panic attacks
- hyperactivity
- angina"
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Avatar universal
Thanks, in response to your first reply:

Funny you should say that about magnesium deficiency in the evening after you eat sugar! If one of the symptoms of magnesium deficiency is pins and needles in feet and legs I get that, but only when in bed or have just gotten up in the morning. I eat sugar in the evenings too. Either chocolate or a yoghurt.

I've got vitamin d, vitamin b12, iron and multivitamin supplements at home, but since it now looks like I need to avoid gluten I'm thinking that the rest of the saliva test needs to be done before I look to take any supplements.

No worries about the other reply. :) I'm surprised that my doctor didn't mention my bottom range folate level. It's pretty bad but I think the multivitamin contains folate.
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1756321 tn?1547095325
Sorry I meant aren't severe. Edit button please! lol.
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1756321 tn?1547095325
Forgot folate! :)  Vitamin B12 deficiency can trap folate in an unusable form and lead to folate deficiency; this is called the folate trap.  When I increased my vitamin B12 my folate rose as well. My cortisol was very depleted with severe vitamin B12 deficiency. Your levels are severe but they aren't optimal either.

From the article - Vitamins That Help Balance Cortisol...

"Vitamin B12 is important for proper energy levels and blood cell formation. Deficiencies in this vitamin can lead to adrenal stress and high cortisol levels or cortisol depletion as your body attempts to make up for the vitamin deficiency by using this hormone's overdrive mechanism, which is usually reserved for emergencies, illness and other stressful events."
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1756321 tn?1547095325
Magnesium serum isn't accurate since the body will keep magnesium levels in normal range in the blood at the expense of the cells. If you have a severe deficiency then the body won't be able to do that. I have magnesium deficiency symptoms overnight if I eat sugar! :)

I've read ferritin levels need to be at least 70 ng/mL for an extended period of time to slow hair shedding and encourage new hair growth.

Optimal calcium absorption occurs with a vitamin D level greater than 79.8 nmol/L (32 ng/mL). Optimal disease prevention (vitamin D deficiency is highly linked to numerous diseases including cancer) at a minimum of 125 nmol/L (50 ng/mL).

Vitamin B12 serum range is too low and symptoms are well noted to occur in "normal" range.  In Japan and various countries in Europe, the lower limit for B12 is between 500-550 pg/mL (369 - 405.9 pmol/L). I'd go higher than that!

I request all my labs (pathology notes are very informative too).  Whatever is flagged in red on the docs computer I'll see when it's printed out. :)
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Avatar universal
Yes, my mineral and vitamin results are:

Magnesium 0.8 range between 0.70 to 1.00
Ferritin 21 range between 30 to 400
Folate 4.9 range between 4.1 to 18.7
Vitamin D 59 range between 50 to 75 for suboptimal
Vitamin B12 362 range between 180 to 900
Liver function test was satisfactory, something was flagged up but my doctor didn't let me see what it was when I asked for a copy of the blood test
Full blood count again was satisfactory with something flagged up on that,  but the doctor again didn't let me see what it was that was flagged up and brought the test into a satisfactory reading.
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1756321 tn?1547095325
Looks like moderate adrenal fatigue from those results.  Do you have any labs done for vitamins and minerals?
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Avatar universal
Thanks,  I did the three tests.

Blood pressure - Rose from 122/82 lying down to 137/87 standing up.  The heart rate went from 58 lying down to 75 standing up.

White line - stayed white and didn't go red.

Iris contraction - wavered between dilating and contracting when light was flashed into eyes before eventually dilating.
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