My thyroid antibody is high. Is it due to Hashimoto’s disease?

Question

Hi doctor,

I have done all thyroid tests and am worried about the results.TSH is high at 4.56 milli international units per liter, and thyroglobulin antibodies were high at 2.8 IU/mL. TOP, T3, and T4 were normal; TPO 14 IU/mL and T4 free 0.95 ng/dl.

I am having throat pain, and I feel like my glands are swollen, along with extreme tiredness. Could this be Hashimoto's disease or cancer? I am really worried.

Please help.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

Antithyroglobulin antibody can be positive in autoimmune thyroid problems. So, it can be a positive result to have Hashimoto's thyroiditis and Graves' disease. But your thyroid hormone level is within range, and TSH (thyroid-stimulating hormone) is not much elevated. So, clinical correlation is necessary with thyroid palpation and USG (ultrasound) scan.

Your throat pain can be due to thyroid inflammation or a posterior pharynx infection, which is pharyngitis. In such inflammation, glands can be enlarged due to generalized infection. Your physical examination and posterior pharynx examination should be done.

An analgesic or an antibiotic, if needed, can be prescribed. If glands get enlarged persistently, then FNAC (fine needle aspiration cytology) can be done for further diagnosis. Do not think of malignancy. Consult an otorhinolaryngologist for examination.

I hope this helps.

Thank you.