Anti-TPO antibodies are not present in the blood of a he althy person, therefore their presence is always a sign of thyroid disease. The blood levels of the antibodies should be measured to find out which conditions are indicated by the antibodies. What is the anti-TPO antibody test, what are the indications for the test and how to interpret the test results?

Anti-TPO antibodies - what are these?

Anti-TPO antibodiesare antibodies against thyroid peroxidase, a protein produced by thyroid cells. They do not occur in the body of a he althy person, because their presence is the result of a defensive reaction of the immune system.

It recognizes the thyroid cells as foreign and treats them as a threat, therefore it produces antibodies (anti-TPO) to eliminate this threat.

As a result of this process, the thyroid tissue is damaged, and hence - its function is disturbed (inflammation, hypothyroidism or hyperfunction).

Therefore, the determination of the concentration of these antibodies is performed in the diagnosis ofautoimmune thyroid diseases .

This test also determines whether the patient can be given drugs such as amiodarone or interferon alpha and interleukin 2. Anti-TPO antibodies are usually determined by the endocrinologist simultaneously with the thyroglobulin level test.

Anti-TPO antibodies - indications for the test

Testing the concentration of anti-TPO antibodies is recommended in people suspected of having thyroid disease. Therefore, people who have noticed symptoms of hypothyroidism (e.g. slowing down of life functions, dry and cool skin, decreased appetite, constipation, drowsiness) or hyperthyroidism (e.g. excessive sweating) should apply for a referral for tests. fatigue, sudden weight loss, insomnia).

The test should also be performed in the case of disturbing results of previous TSH, T3 and T4 tests.

The indication for the examination is also the suspicion of other autoimmune diseases that may have symptoms indicative of thyroid disease - systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis or pernicious anemia.

The doctor should order this test also if he intends to prescribe drugs such as amiodarone,lithium, interferon alpha or interleukin 2, as they can lead to hypothyroidism.

Anti-TPO antibodies - what is the test?

The anti-TPO antibody concentration test involves taking blood from a vein in the arm and sending it to the laboratory.

Anti-TPO antibodies - standards

There is no specific standard. Correct values ​​depend on many factors, such as age, gender, and above all, the laboratory where the test was performed. Therefore, standards are defined for a specific designation.

IMPORTANT! People who have thyroid disease under control should always have their tests performed in the same laboratory.

Anti-TPO antibodies - how to interpret the test results?

Low level of anti-TPO antibodies may indicate:

  • type I diabetes;
  • systemic connective tissue disease;
  • thyroid cancer;
  • rheumatoid arthritis;

Increased level of anti-TPO antibodies may indicate:

  • Hashimoto's disease, i.e. chronic thyroiditis;
  • Graves' disease;

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Research