Levothyroxine's Effects on Antibodies in Hashimoto's Patients
Thursday July 17, 2008
Researchers looked at the impact that levothyroxine treatment has on the levels of antithyroid peroxidase antibodies (TPO-Ab) in patients with Hashimoto's thyroiditis. Generally, while it's known that treatment can cause these antibodies to drop, the researchers wanted to have a better sense of the specific effect. The study found that 92% of the patients studied had a decrease in TPO-Ab. While the mean antibody level was 4779 IU/mL, the levels typically decreased by 8% in the first 3 months, 45% after a year. At five years, the levels were down to a mean of 1456 a decrease of 70%. A total of 16% of patients had TPO-Ab levels became negative (measured at less than 100 IU/mL). Read the full text PDF of this article now.This study provides evidence that levothyroxine treatment can have an impact on antibody levels. For more information, read:
- Treatment Can Help Those Who Test Positive for Thyroid Antibodies
- Do You Need Preventative Thyroid Treatment?
NOTE: Free access to the full July 2008 issue of Thyroid is available online.
Comments
Very interesting study, even I was disappointed to learn that my drop of antibodies (by 70%
relies on my treatment. It would be interesting to know the mecanism of this effect. Is it because the thyroid is resting, and the antibodies stop needing to attack it?
Interesting. How often should antibodies be tested?
I have been tested only once many years ago and was told just regular TSH blood work every 6 mos - 1 year.
Should one be tested for thyroid cancer if they have Hashimoto’s?
What test does the patient ask for?
JKS
Wow! I am surprised that the mean TPO Ab was so high! Mine were 1800 when diagnosed, and that seemed sky high to me!
I had a low number of antibodies when I started taking Amour about 4 years ago (about 143) and my antibody level has continued to decrease on the medication (last test was 27). Perhaps it’s any thyroid supplement that will take the onus off the thyroid that will help reduce antibodies. I go in about every 4 months to have my levels tested and I always insist on an antibody test so I can monitor how well my thyroid is doing.
I understand that eating 2 brazil nuts daily contain selenium which is protective to the thyroid from cancer. Hippocrates did say….let food be your medicine, right?
What about the TgAb antibodies which are also prevalent with some Hashimoto patients? That is what the highest level of my antibodies are.
hi…high tga and tpo ..antibodies..but t3/t4/tsh is fine…really need to have an opinion what to do…so lost…not on any treatment as yet..
can somone guide plz