Anti-TPO test

Anti-TPO

Anti-TPO antibodies, or antibodies against TyreoPerOxidase, a protein that is a component of thyroid tissue and is involved in the the production of thyroid hormones. A healthy person does not have in his blood anti-TPO antibodies. In a sick person, the immune system begins to treat thyroid cells as foreign and the body produces anti-TPO antibodies that fight them. Testing their concentration is performed in the diagnosis of thyroid and autoimmune diseases An abnormally functioning thyroid gland does not give specific symptoms disease, so it is necessary to perform a number of tests to make a diagnosis performing a series of tests.

When should a test be performed?

Anti-TPOs can occur in the blood of a person with an autoimmune disease. Control of the thyroid condition begins with TSH, fT4 and fT3 tests. If the results are abnormal, anti-TPO test is recommended.

An anti-TPO test is performed when a patient is suspected of having Hashimoto's disease, rheumatoid arthritis, Graves' disease Graves-Basedow disease, systemic lupus erythematosus or pernicious anemia malignancy.

Autoimmune diseases are characterized by the presence of autoantibodies against TPO. The presence of anti-TPO antibodies is a symptom of Hashimoto's disease. However, a positive result is not conclusive with the diagnosis of autoimmune thyroiditis thyroiditis, while a negative result does not exclude it.

An anti-TPO test is also performed in pregnant women to determine the risk of postpartum thyroiditis.

The risk of postpartum thyroiditis is also determined

Anti-TPO standards

Strictly defined standards of normal results for the anti-TPO test do not exist. Each result is evaluated individually by qualified medical professionals who take into account the gender, age and general health of the patient.

Please remember to discuss each anti-TPO result with your doctor.