Post TT for PTC - Thyroglobulin undetectable but marginal antibody increase

Hi :) I had a TT 7 months ago for PTC - primary tumour of 6mm and additional foci measuring 1mm. Luckily mine was quite straightforward - no positive lymph nodes, clear margins and no RAI required. Surgical pathology showed hashimotos. My thyroglobulin has been undetectable since surgery and my antibodies (measured at 5 post op) fell steadily and when measured 5 months ago were at 1.3. I have just had my labs re-checked and my thyroglobulin is still undetectable but my antibodies have risen to 2.1. The only thing that has changed in this timeframe is my TSH which spiked over the last ~3 months from 1.7 - 7.9 (possibly due to iron supplements affecting absorption). After a dose increase 2.5 months ago, my TSH is back in the normal range.

I know this is a small increase in antibodies (and my endocrinologist says it’s insignificant and we will just monitor). But I can’t understand why it would increase without there being recurrence on some level. Does anyone have experience of a very small climb in antibodies and how did it turn out? I hate the thought of ‘watching and waiting’ for a number of months and the thought of potential recurrence remains in the back of my mind.

Always find this thread so helpful and would be grateful to hear of anyone’s experience…Thank you :)