What does it mean when you test positive for thyroid antibodies?
The presence of TPO antibodies in your blood suggests that the cause of thyroid disease is an autoimmune disorder, such as Hashimoto’s disease or Graves’ disease. In autoimmune disorders, your immune system makes antibodies that mistakenly attack normal tissue.
Do elevated thyroid antibodies mean Hashimoto’s?
If your results show high levels of antibodies against thyroid peroxidase or thyroglobulin, you may have Hashimoto’s disease. If you have lots of antibodies against the thyroid stimulating hormone receptor, you may have Graves’ disease.
What is the treatment for high thyroid antibodies?
T-4 hormone replacement therapy Hypothyroidism associated with Hashimoto’s disease is treated with a synthetic hormone called levothyroxine (Levoxyl, Synthroid, others). The synthetic hormone works like the T-4 hormone naturally produced by the thyroid.
How can I get my thyroid antibodies down?
Beneficial supplements include:
- Selenium. Studies show that taking 200 mcg of selenium per day may help reduce antithyroid peroxidase (TPO) antibodies and improve well-being in people with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis ( 24 ).
- Zinc.
- Curcumin.
- Vitamin D.
- B complex vitamins.
- Magnesium.
- Iron.
Can you have a normal TSH and still have Hashimoto’s?
Having only the TPO antibodies present with normal TSH and free T4 levels means that your thyroid is functioning normally and you don’t have hypothyroidism, but it does mean that you may have Hashimoto’s disease. Remember that Hashimoto’s doesn’t always cause hypothyroidism.
What Are the TSH levels in Hashimoto’s disease?
If your TSH level falls under 0.5 mIU/L, this indicates that you have an overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism). Numbers above the normal range, usually 5.0 mIU/L or higher, show that you may have hypothyroidism.