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Having Thyroid Problem. Got Test Done. Does It Indicate Any Autoimmune Disease?
Question: My wife has thyroid problem and her age is 27.The blood test report shows following results- FreeT3- 2.80( ref. range-1.71-3.71), FreeT4 - 1.05(Ref. Range-0.70-1.48) and TSH-11.860(Ref.Range-0.350-4.940) than anti TPO antibody test had also been carried out the report is attached for the same. can you please explain me which type of disease it is(Is it autoimmune disease) & what is the criticality of this disease and tretament is available for the same or not. and if availabale what type of treatment it is
Hello,
Thank you for posting a query.
Look, your reports indicate that the free T3 and T4 are within normal limit. But, TSH is increased than the normal level.
It indicates that the thyroid is in hypo-functioning state, which is maintained in normal level by increased level of TSH. That means your wife is suffering from hypothyroidism.
Now, anti-thyroid peroxidase (TPO) antibody is increased which indicates that the disease is an autoimmune in nature, where body produces antibodies against the enzymes of its own. Here body detects the enzyme as a foreign antigen.
This condition is known as Hushimoto’s Thyroiditis.
The disease is critical when left untreated. It is not a life threatening but, it can lead to many complications like weight gain, hair fall, skin abnormality, psychiatric problems, abnormal perception of temperature and lastly and most importantly infertility. As your wife is in reproductive age group, this disease will lead to infertility if left untreated. But, treatment lead to lower chance of developing complications.
Now, treatment. Only treatment in this condition is thyroid hormonal supplement like thyroxin. You should understand one thing that your wife has to take this medication for the rest of her life.
Before starting the medication, an ultrasound scan of the thyroid region is required to rule out presence of any nodule.
For exact dosing and frequency of the medication, you should consult with endocrinologist in person.
Hope this information suffices. Let me know, if you have any more questions.
Regards.
Thank you for posting a query.
Look, your reports indicate that the free T3 and T4 are within normal limit. But, TSH is increased than the normal level.
It indicates that the thyroid is in hypo-functioning state, which is maintained in normal level by increased level of TSH. That means your wife is suffering from hypothyroidism.
Now, anti-thyroid peroxidase (TPO) antibody is increased which indicates that the disease is an autoimmune in nature, where body produces antibodies against the enzymes of its own. Here body detects the enzyme as a foreign antigen.
This condition is known as Hushimoto’s Thyroiditis.
The disease is critical when left untreated. It is not a life threatening but, it can lead to many complications like weight gain, hair fall, skin abnormality, psychiatric problems, abnormal perception of temperature and lastly and most importantly infertility. As your wife is in reproductive age group, this disease will lead to infertility if left untreated. But, treatment lead to lower chance of developing complications.
Now, treatment. Only treatment in this condition is thyroid hormonal supplement like thyroxin. You should understand one thing that your wife has to take this medication for the rest of her life.
Before starting the medication, an ultrasound scan of the thyroid region is required to rule out presence of any nodule.
For exact dosing and frequency of the medication, you should consult with endocrinologist in person.
Hope this information suffices. Let me know, if you have any more questions.
Regards.
Note: For more information on hormonal imbalance symptoms or unmanaged diabetes with other comorbid conditions, get back to us & Consult with an Endocrinologist. Click here to book an appointment.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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