You are still going in the right direction. The fact that you have negative antibody levels tells you that, as of right now, your body is not producing antibodies that will destroy your thyroid. Many people with hypothyroidism do not have antibodies.
It's good your GI test came back negative - one less thing to worry about. There's a good chance your GI issues are caused by hypothyroidism.
It is clear that you've been hypothyroid for awhile....it would be very good if you could get those FreeT4 and FreeT3 labs done.
You just might need to doctor-shop to find a knowledgeable doctor but it is very much worth the effort.
Thank You for responding Sammy64. I did get a new PCP and I don't think I'm going to stick with this endo because she is a FIRM believer that if your are in the normal range you do not have thyroid problems. She also doesn't believe in any meds for Hashimotos if in normal range. I didn't get my bld test results back yet for Celiac, they are retesting because still having lots of stomach problems that ended being dx as IBS. I will have to ask for Free t3 and Free t4. Are the antibody range different from lab to lab?
Endos (3) never did right by me....I found my "charm" in the form of an internist (my GP was clueless).
Endos are in short supply and mostly treat the ever-increasing population of diabetics....and, to make matters worse, the thyroid doesn't get much attention in medical school, period.
But, there are doctors out there that "get it"....it's "just" a matter of finding one.
I wish you the best of luck re Celiacs - it's not uncommon to have more than one autoimmune disease. I am going with the thought that your GI problems are a result of your long-standing hypothyroidism....and will improve upon proper thyroid treatment.
If you Google hypothyroid symptoms and look at the lists compiled from patients' experiences, you will discover easily 60-70 symptoms. Throw in the additional health problems caused by hypothyroidism (anemia, high cholesterol, low BP, osteopenia, etc., etc., etc.) and you'll understand why it's important to get properly medicated
Antibody ranges can vary from lab to lab but, yours are most definitely below-range and I really wouldn't be too concerned anyway.
Hashi's or not, you are hypothyroid....and treatment would be the same - dosing based upon FT4 and FT3 levels.
Best of luck to you on your journey towards wellness!
I got back the results for my biopsy and they said benign follicular see ent in 6mths to see if nodule is any bigger. From what I've been reading they say you can not determine benign from malignant with FNA for follicular nodules. I'm a little concerned because the ent didn't mention anything about this. Anyone know anything about this? Any opinions.
The biopsy from my nodule came back benign follicular and I was told to go back to ent 6mth to see if size increase. From what I've been reading, they say you can not determine the difference between follicular benign or malignancy with FNA. Anyone know the answer to this? Sorry didn't mean to post twice
Last edited by jeansp; 04-11-2011 at 03:15 PM.
Reason: accidentally posted twice
