Do I have hashimoto disease?

[virgo2121]

I am a very healthy 39 year old and only as a result of seeking help through a naturopath after a few failed IVF attempts did she recommend I get my thyroid antibodies checked.

My TSH is normal at 1.97 however I have TPO Ab of 239 and TG Ab of 17.

My GP did not see this as a problem, however my naturopath said it could mean a 98% chance of miscarriage as my own body is attacking my thyroid and could do the same with an embryo!

My naturopoth said she is not qualified to tell me I have hashimotos disease and this would need to be done by my GP. As mentioned my GP thought as long as my TSH is fine, I am fine.

Any help and advice is ver much apprecated.

[estrelinha]

Hypothyroidism affects the baby (neural development), so during pregnancy you should check always your thyroid hormones (even if you are in an early stage) . As AR-10 told you hormones inbalance can affect the development of the baby. If you look at the thyroid expert forum (archieves), you can find many answered questions about Hypothyroidism and pregnancy.

[virgo2121]

thanks so much for the responses. I will definitely enquire about an ultrasound and keeping everything crossed that my fertility is not affected by this.

[estrelinha]

I can suggest an ultrasound of your thyroid  it can help the diagnose of hashimoto thyroiditis (what I did), I had high titer of TPO antibodies but a thyroid with normal size. Ultrasound showed that I had thyroiditis. Without doing anything my TPO antibodies  fall (more then 1000 to 815...., so still high). In my last analyses my TSH was 2.9, now I feel normal, so I'm sure my TSH is much lower, but I don't know the results of my last analyses, I forgot the appointment at hospital, so in November I'll know.

[AR-10]

Antibody counts can rise and fall. It is not likely that your TPOab count will fall below 40 or 50 or whatever the upper limit of "normal" is, so you are probably stuck with them.

It probably IS early Hashimoto's, which is the most common form of hypothyroidism.

It could also indicate Celiac Sprue, Rheumatoid arthritis, Lupus, Fibromyalgia(sp?), type 1 diabetes, pernicious anemia, Sjogren's Syndrome, and I don't think I listed all of them.

It can also indicate a pre-disposition to developing post-partum thyroiditis.

[virgo2121]

Hi AR-10

Many thanks for repsonding. I would be interested in the two you can remember even if not encouraging as I guess the more I know now the better prepared I can be to deal. I read somewhere briefly about coelic disease often being associated with this, would that be one of them.

It is so difficult being told different things and not knowing what to believe but I hope above all that this will not affect my chances of fertility.

Does it mean once I have autoimmune disease its here for good and if my GP is not bothered who would be the one to diagnose?

Thanks again for taking the time to reply :-)

[AR-10]

Just had to post again to give your Naturopath a big F for FAIL.

That's ok, as long as you know.
A few of my docs have gotten a big F with several "fill in the blanks".

:o)

[AR-10]

A TPOab result of 239 is indicative of an autoimmune condition. It often turns out to be Hashimoto's of some form, but it is also found in several other autoimmune diseases.

The TGab is so low it is insignificant.

You may be in the very early stage of developing a thyroid problem, or it might be half a dozen other things.

I'd list them, but the only two I can remember are not encouraging.

As far as a miscarriage, antibodies will not attack your embryo. If you develop thyroid hormone imbalance while pregnant, then there is risk of losing the baby. It is the hormone imbalance, not antibodies, that can affect pregnancy, and the child, under the right circumstances.