Anti-TPO (Anti Thyroperoxidase Antibody)
Understanding Anti-TPO (Anti Thyroperoxidase Antibody)
What is Anti-TPO (Anti Thyroperoxidase Antibody)?
Thyroid peroxidase (TPO)antibody test measures anti thyroperoxidase antibodies in your blood. The body produces these antibodies when cells in your thyroid become damaged. These antibodies can be a sign of autoimmune diseases that cause the thyroid to make too much or little thyroid hormone.
Having antithyroid antibodies in your blood doesn’t automatically mean you have a thyroid disease. However, you may be at an increased risk for thyroid disease in the future. If your test is positive, it means that antibodies are present in your blood which could indicate that there is an autoimmune condition affecting your thyroid gland.
What is Anti-TPO (Anti Thyroperoxidase Antibody) used for?
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To diagnose autoimmune disorders of thyroid like Hashimoto's thyroiditis (swelling of thyroid gland resulting in decreased thyroid function), Grave's disease (overactive thyroid gland resulting in overproduction of thyroid hormones) or idiopathic myxedema (associated with low levels of thyroid hormones)
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To differentiate between autoimmune disorders of thyroid from non-autoimmune disorders such as goiter or hypothyroidism.
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To diagnose chronic thyroiditis
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To diagnose subclinical hypothyroidism
Interpreting Anti-TPO (Anti Thyroperoxidase Antibody) results
Interpretations
Positive tests may indicate the following:
- Hashimoto’s thyroiditis
- Grave’s disease
- Idiopathic Myxedema
- Postpartum thyroiditis
- Nontoxic Nodular Goiter
- Thyroid cancer