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huskermama · 08-29-2008, 05:56 PM

A year ago my GP found my thyroid slightly enlarged (can't see it), and the endo doc ran the TPO test with the above results. He dismissed me saying I had Thyroiditis and to get my TSH levels checked yearly. In the last 6 months I have been feeling fatigued, depressed and irritable, have periods out of whack, etc. My voice is also hoarse sometimes (could be from reflux, which was diagnosed at the same time as the TPO test). When my GP ran the TSH blood test last month she said it came back "normal", but I don't know the numbers (should've asked).

What does this TPO antibody test result mean? My mom has been hypothyroid for 25 years, and I'm sure I'm on my way there. Part of me wishes they would treat this to even me out - I don't feel like myself but the docs say it's all OK... ? My kids and hubby aren't thinking I'm OK (guilt, guilt...)

Thanks.
Jean

midwest1 · 08-29-2008, 10:06 PM

You aren't "on the way there". You've arrived, my dear.

Antibodies at that level can keep the TSH suppressed for a long time after you've gone hypothyroid. That's why an MD who looks only at the TSH and pronounces it "normal" and you not hypothyroid is a dolt. You must insist that someone order tests for free T4 and free T3. If they are at the bottom of their reference ranges - and I'd bet the boat they are - you need treatment... now!

Your family history is revealing. My mother was hypoT and so is my daughter. It's a very familial condition. The last thing you need is for some stupid MD to tell you that you must remain sick for as long as it takes for your TSH to hit some magic number that means nothing anyway.

Pursue this with as many MDs as it takes to win a diagnosis and a prescription for thyroid hormone.

ETA... I forgot to explain the antibodies. They are what's destroying your thyroid gland bit by bit... actually attacking the tissue and causing damage that can't be repaired. The gland is in the process of failing and not making enough hormone for your body's needs. That's why you have symptoms.

iona_23 · 08-30-2008, 02:06 PM

oh goodness...another thread where a doctor is not treating thyroiditis. goodness! oh what to do??? all i have to say is that i used to be like you...alot of unexplainable "episodes" of many things...and until i was put on meds, that's the only time i started "feeling" and "thinking" alot clearer. so until you get some meds into that body....then i believe that symptoms will just stay and prolly some new ones will come up. when i first was diagnosed with hashimotos, i was given 100mcg of synthroid and almost immediately the symptoms went away. but labs later showed that i was going on the hyper side so they lessened it to 75mcgs...and i've been on this dose for a year now and it's been keeping me afloat. so if u can, do seek another doctor...u need meds. goodluck.

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