tsh of 18.2, antibodies to thyroid high

[Bronx2014]

My my t3 and t4 are normal.  The high ones are
Anti-thyro Globulin: 575
Anti-Thyro Peroxidase : 600

I will be picking up a cd of my sonogram later to day to take for a 2nd opinion.  Doc says those thyroid antibodies are caused by gluten but I eat very little (as in almost none) gluten on a daily basis, maybe past 3 x a year, a sub sandwich maybe once a week and can go gluten free on that.  She also prescribed diabetic meds when I am not diabetic, etc., so somewhat discredited herself, especially after the first post sonogram email said small nodule, recheck in 3 months, and a day later I got one trying to rush me into surgery for a large nodule.  I have relatively good insurance and no faith in for profit medicine, so seeking an out of network second opinion soon

Meantime, does anyone know much about test results like mine? I am taking Armour thyroid 15 mg and feel better energy wise since I started it.

[Bronx2014]

I really should have set that appointment. went to work and forgot to go back, oh my my.

[Bronx2014]

I am definitely non celiac.  I seem to have developed gluten intolerance in the last 4 or 5 years, thought maybe the thyroid had something to do with it as both probably occurred at the same time. But my symptoms are constipation and aches and pains increase, and not severe.

I kept the spaghetti for emergency grandchild invasions.  I'm not a big pasta fan but if 5 to 10 people show up at my house and I have to make a meal it works, and the organic bothers me less than the cheap stuff.

I am working toward a new normal, next doctor visit is due in about 2 weeks. Guess I should set an appt for bloodwork.. Thank you.

[goolarra]

The "normal" values you posted, as in FT4 with "normal over 1.5" are on your lab report?  It's not the lab ranges I take exception to, it's the "normal" number in parentheses.

Well, the thing about gluten is that you are either free of it or you aren't.  If you keep the spaghetti, you might as well keep the flour as well.  Not totally, if you are non-celiac gluten intolerant, you might get away with a little; if you have celiac, you have to be scrupulously g/f.  I found that the g/f pastas made with quinoa weren't bad...even my husband, the second pickiest eater I know, ate them.

Good luck.  

[Bronx2014]

well thank you.  All of the normals were straight off the lab report.  Still on 15 mg Armour. I do find I have fewer aches and pains without the gluten, and when I went to clean out my cupboard of gluten loaded foods I found a bag of bread flour and some organic spaghetti.  Not getting religious on the gluten free, I'm keeping the spaghetti and giving the flour away.  I apparently have been adjusting my diet for this for years.

the biggest nodule was 8 mm x 9mm, when I picked up my ultrasound, the Dr. at the imaging facility recommended a re-check in 6 months, my doctor backed down on her rush rush biopsy and we will re-check in 3 months.  If I have symptoms I don't notice them much, but I think I have a bit more energy since I started meds.  Will try to check in more often. Cancelled trying to get second opinon when I drove the sonogram results over there and they were closed for an ice storm. I am about to get slammed at work, and if I want to pay bills I have to go with the work...

Thank you again

[goolarra]

I don't know where you've found your "normal" values, but I disagree with all but the FT3 "normal".  All the others are too high.  Are they based on the same range that your lab uses?

TT3 and TT4 are considered of little use and obsolete, so let's concentrate in the frees.

FT4 is below range, so hardly "normal" and clearly below the optimal, which I would consider close to midrange (1.31 on your lab's range).

FT3 is at 33% of range, which is also low of the 50+% target.  Often people taking desiccated have to run FT3 in the upper third of range.  So, that's quite low also.

TSH is also clearly far above range.  So, all three tests say that you are hypo.  How long have you been on Armour, and when are you due for retesting?  I'm virtually certain that 15 mg isn't going to do it for you and that you'll need an increase.  

RT3 is low, which is good.  Do you have the units that your FT3 and RT3 were reported in so I can calculate your ratio?

Don't be alarmed about the high numbers in your TPOab and TGab.  Numbers in the hundreds, or even thousands, are not at all unusual.  Just to give you some perspective, my TPOab was 900+, and my TGab was 3,000+ on diagnosis.  

I agree with Jenn1302.  If you feel better gluten free, there's no reason not to do it.  If you're counting on it improving your thyroid condition, though, you might be disappointed.

Nodules come with the territory when you have Hashi's.  Typically, unless a nodule is bigger than 1 cm (10 mm), it is just watched periodically for changes.  Nodules over 1 cm are usually biopsied.  Don't rush into surgery without a second opinion.

I share your skepticism on insurance and for profit medicine.

[Jenn1302]

If eliminating gluten from your diet makes you feel better, there's not reason no to go gluten free. Even if it doesn't help your thyroid, at least you'll fell better. You could have celiac or gluten sensitivity. Also, a large number of non-celiacs are sensitive to gluten.

Your labs look hypo to me.

[Bronx2014]

My results are before meds
TSH 18.2 (normal defined as 1 to 2) lab range 0.27 to 4.20
T4     5.7 (normal over 10) lab range 4.5 to 11.7
T4 free 0.77 (normal over 1.5) lab range 0.93 to 1.70
T3 118  (normal over 150)  lab range 80 to 200
T3 free 2.8  (normal over 3.5) lab range 2 to 4.4

Reverse T3 6 (normal 8-24 per lab range)
Anti thyroglobulin 575  where normal is less than 115
anti thyroid peroxidase antibody >600   where normal is less than 34

I have had a sonogram on my thyroid and have 2 nodules, 1 is 2 x 3 mm, one is 8x9 mm, re sonogram in 3 months.  Don't know whether to panic or not. did notice on days when I eat bread shoulders hurt more, when I don't for a couple of days the shoulder pain diminishes.  I have a solid cow's milk allergy I've had since I was a child, my dad had food allergies so weird diets are not foreign to me. willing to try gluten free til my next blood test in about 5 weeks plus taking my 15 mg armour, just to see what happens.  

Anything you can tell me is a plus.

[goolarra]

I agree totally.  I was gluten free for about a year (for reasons other than thyroid), and my antibodies kept right on and I didn't see any change in my thyroid condition.  

[Jenn1302]

My thyroid disease started developing years after I went gluten free and my thyroid antibody levels keep going up even though I'm completely gluten free, so I doubt that gluten is the cause. It could possibly make thyroid disease progress faster. Maybe gluten causes autoimmune thyroid issues in some people, but it definitely doesn't seem to be THE cause.

[goolarra]

There are theories out there that gluten is responsible for autoimmune thyroid disease (Hashi's).  So far, I am yet to see any proof of that.  Since both your TPOab and TGab are elevated, you are positive for both the markers of Hashi's.  Personally, I've done a lot of research on the gluten issue, and I'd run from a doctor pushing that as fast as I'd run from one who thinks TSH is all that matters.

Please post your T3 and T4 results with reference ranges.  Ranges vary lab to lab, so they have to come from your own lab report.  Also, do they say they are FREE T3 (FT3) and FREE T4 (FT4)?

Are these results before starting meds or on 15 mg?