Graves’ disease patients routinely get tested for the TSH-Receptor antibody (TRAb) when they become hyperthyroid. Hashimoto’s patients with TRAb antibodies, on the other hand, are overlooked. Just how many of us are being overlooked in various countries? The thyroid-stimulating antibody seen in Graves’ disease is only one of two TSH-Receptor antibodies: TSAb stimulates the TSH receptors, and TBAb blocks the TSH receptors. Many Hashimoto’s patients will never get properly diagnosed because people mistakenly think TSH-Receptor antibodies are only found in Graves’ disease. How many people are likely to experience the mysterious impacts of this antibody, such as: transient hypothyroidism with …
Month: April 2020
Remissions and fluctuations in autoimmune thyroid disease: TRAb
Stories of complete remission from autoimmune hypothyroidism circulate on internet forums. Stories of significant fluctuations in thyroid status that allow one to reduce thyroid medication or require a major increase—these also circulate. I suspect most autoimmune hypothyroid and hyperthyroid patients have dreamed of a full remission rather than dependency on lifelong medical treatment. As I write this during early COVID-19 virus era, I too wish I had my healthy thyroid back. Then I would not have any worry about the supply of my thyroid medication or risk of reduced access to good thyroid health care and thyroid testing. On the …