What is high thyroid stimulating receptor antibody

High levels of thyroid stimulating receptor antibodies usually indicate autoimmune thyroid diseases, mainly associated with Graves' disease, Hashimoto's thyroiditis, postpartum thyroiditis, and other diseases. Elevated antibodies may cause hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism, manifested as palpitations, abnormal weight changes, neck swelling, and other symptoms.

1. Graves' disease:

Graves' disease is the most common cause of elevated thyroid stimulating receptor antibodies and belongs to autoimmune hyperthyroidism. Antibodies continuously stimulate the secretion of thyroid hormones, leading to symptoms of metabolic hyperactivity, such as fear of heat and excessive sweating, overeating accompanied by weight loss, and hand tremors. Some patients may have protruding eyes or anterior tibial myxoedema, which requires thyroid function examination and antibody testing for diagnosis.

2. Hashimoto's thyroiditis:

Hashimoto's thyroiditis may present with transient antibody elevation and hyperthyroidism in the early stage, and often develop into hypothyroidism in the later stage. The disease is characterized by diffuse enlargement and tough texture of the thyroid gland, which may be accompanied by symptoms such as fatigue, chills, and constipation. Ultrasound examination shows uneven thyroid echoes, and regular monitoring of TSH levels is necessary. 3. Postpartum thyroiditis: After the disappearance of immune tolerance during pregnancy, some mothers may experience an increase in thyroid stimulating receptor antibodies. The typical manifestation is the onset of hyperthyroidism within 6 months postpartum, which may later progress to hypothyroidism or return to normal. Symptoms include emotional fluctuations, palpitations, fatigue, etc., and most cases are self limiting.

4. Drug effects:

Immunomodulatory drugs such as interferon alpha and interleukin-2 may induce an increase in thyroid autoantibodies. When using iodine containing drugs such as amiodarone, iodine induced thyroid dysfunction may also be accompanied by changes in antibody levels. After discontinuing the medication, antibody levels can gradually recover and regular thyroid function check ups are necessary.

5. Other autoimmune diseases:

Patients with systemic autoimmune diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus and rheumatoid arthritis may also have elevated thyroid antibodies. This type of situation requires evaluation of multiple system involvement manifestations, such as joint swelling and pain, rash, proteinuria, etc., and identification of the primary disease through tests such as anti nuclear antibody spectrum.

When thyroid stimulating receptor antibodies are found to be elevated, thyroid ultrasound and functional examination should be completed, and intervention plans should be developed based on the results. Ensure sufficient intake of selenium in daily life, and consume selenium containing foods such as seaweed and oysters in moderation; Avoid high iodine diets and limit the intake of seafood such as seaweed and seaweed; Maintaining a regular schedule and moderate exercise can help regulate the immune system. Hyperthyroidism patients should avoid stimulating drinks such as strong tea and coffee, while hypothyroidism patients can increase their intake of foods rich in dietary fiber to prevent constipation. It is recommended to recheck thyroid function every 3-6 months, and pregnant women need to increase monitoring frequency.