Re: Sed Rate -- Elaine or anyone

[Guest guest]

Hi Terri,

You do want your TSH receptor antibody levels to decline since they cause the

eye symptoms.

The TPO antibodies cause thryoid inflammation and thyroid cell destruction,

and eventually this can cause total thyroid failure. Or you'll lose some or all

of the remaining thyroid function you have.

The sed rate is high in inflammatory disorders. It shouldn't be high just

because your TPO antibodies are high. Your doctor should also do an ANA test

just

to make sure there is nothing else autoimmune going on. You probably also

need to have an FT4 and FT3 level to see if you are now hypothyroid and require

an adjustment to your thyroid replacement hormone.

Sed rate is actually erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR or sed rate).

Sometimes it's called westergren test or winthrobe test because these are the

classic methods to test sed rate. We fill a narrow graded tube with your blood

and

measure how quickly the cells settle down or fall after one hour. So it's more

of a generic than specific test. Take care, Elaine