Thyroid peroxidase antibody test

[AiryFairie]

My result is in range at 7 kiu/L (0.00 - 9.00 kiu/L). What does this signify?

[Starfish123]

Hi,

I'm not an expert but to me it says you do indeed have some TPO antibodies but not at a sufficiently range for most, if not all Drs to treat. You may be ask to have another test at some point.

I hope that helps

[SlowDragon Administrator]

There are two sorts of antibodies, TPO Ab and TG Ab. (Thyroid peroxidase and thyroglobulin) BOTH need checking, if either, or both are high this means autoimmune thyroid - called Hashimoto's the most common cause in UK of being hypo.

NHS rarely checks TPO and almost never checks TG. NHS believes it is impossible to have negative TPO and raised TG. It's rare, but not impossible, there are a few members on here that have this.

If they have not been done ......Suggest you ask GP to check levels of vitamin d, b12, folate and ferratin. These all need to at good (not just average) levels for thyroid hormones (our own or replacement ones) to work in our cells

If you can not get GP to do these tests, then like many of us, you can get them done privately

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/testin...

Blue Horizon - Thyroid plus eleven tests all these. £99

This is an easy to do fingerprick test you do at home, post back and they email results to you couple of days later.

Usual advice on ALL thyroid tests, (home one or on NHSu) is to do early in morning, ideally before 9am. No food or drink beforehand (other than water) If you are taking Levo, then don't take it in 24 hours before (take straight after). This way your tests are always consistent, and it will show highest TSH, and as this is mainly all the medics decide dose on, best idea is to keep result as high as possible

[SmallBlueThing]

About 10% of those with autoimmune thyroiditis (Hashimoto's) have in-range TPO antibodies, and 10-15% of those who would not be diagnosed have above range antibodies.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Just read your previous posts. Are you supplementing to improve low vitamin D? If so how much?

What about B12 & B complex

You said in one post you had burning feet - you might find this link useful

drgominak.com/vitamin-d-hor...

"Usually within the first year of vitamin D supplementation the B5 body stores get used up and new symptoms of pain, burning and balance difficulties begin. Patients who have fibromyalgia or arthritis or autoimmune disease are already severely B5 deficient even before their vitamin D deficiency is detected"

Are you still only on 50mcg Levo?

[AiryFairie in reply to SlowDragon]

Yes thank you, SlowDragon, I am indeed supplementing Vit D3, 5000 IU. Just realised I have been taking 1 a day, but the small print says 1 every OTHER day! Whoops! (I do wish they would make the print bigger on these labels. I literally need to use a magnifying glass sometimes!)

My B-Right complex contains B5. Maybe that will help? Thank you for the link you provided above, I can claim a few of those symptoms: abnormal sleep, headaches, vertigo, burning feet. The article makes a very interesting read, doesn't it?

I am waiting to see an Endo. in January. After that consultation, I will decide whether to get a Blue Horizon test done. It has been empowering to know I can improve things for myself, with my own research, help of others on HU, and taking appropriate supplements. I have bucked up considerably of late, so presumably I am managing to convert my Levo. 50mcg better than before. Although as I couldn't interest my GP in doing a T3 test, I can only go by my symptoms.

[AiryFairie in reply to AiryFairie]

SlowDragon On reflection, I think I will go back to GP and try again for an increase. I have started getting a racing heartbeat at times, usually when sitting down just watching the Telly. I didn't twig that could be a symptom of under-medication. (Over-medication too, although I think we can safely rule that one out, at only 50mcg of Levo!)

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to AiryFairie]

Yes Dr Gominack recommends a vitamin B complex, not individual vitamins

We are always advised on here to keep the B's together.

[elaine2447 in reply to SlowDragon]

Interesting article, thanks.

[Clutter]

Jannie1957,

Most people have some antibodies. Yours are below 9.00 which means you are probably negative for autoimmune thyroid disease (Hashimoto's). If you want to conclusively rule out Hashimoto's you will need a thyroglobulin antibody test. This isn't routinely done in primary care so you will need to order a private test.

[AiryFairie in reply to Clutter]

Thank you Clutter. I don't think it's Hashimoto's. With recent supplements, I am managing reasonably well on 50mcg of Levo - have been on the same dose since I was diagnosed 16 months ago. I did ask for an increase of Levo a few months ago, as I was feeling really awful, but my TSH and T4 results weren't bad enough. I am glad now, as increasing the Levo at that time may have made things worse. I can only assume I am converting T4 to T3 better now.

[Clutter in reply to AiryFairie]

Jannie1957,

What were your TSH and FT4? Most people will feel well when TSH is 1.0 or lower with FT4 in the upper range. If you'd been given a dose increase which made you feel worse you could have reduced dose.

[AiryFairie in reply to Clutter]

In August my levels were:

TSH 1.83 mu/L (0.20-4.50mu/L)

T4 14.9 pmol/L (7.00-17.00pmol/L)

What do you think, Clutter? Is there still room for a bit of "fine tuning"? As I have been supplementing vitamins since then, would the improvement I now feel show up in another blood test?

[Clutter in reply to AiryFairie]

Jannie1957,

There was scope for your GP to increase dose in August to raise FT4 and reduce TSH. Correcting vitamin deficiencies can improve well being. If you feel well there is no need to have a blood test. How you feel is more important than blood results.

[AiryFairie in reply to Clutter]

Yes, thank you Clutter. That's what I thought. It is a relief to know I can get my own blood tests done if I choose.

[elaine2447]

Thanks for all the info, when I am up to it I am going to do the finger prick test. My antibodies are now over 1300 (0-60) and all the GP says is its a virus attacking the thyroid!!! Oh and "your TSH is within the normal range"!!! I also had a thyroglobulin antibody test back in July privately and that was 122.2 so over the range! (0-115). Heaven knows what it is now. Problem is, when one gets the results, what do you do about ignorant GP's?

I have been taking B12 sublingual drops for quite some time and always have taken B12 tablets in the past. Vitamin D is normal. Now taking selenium and zinc.

[AiryFairie in reply to elaine2447]

Sorry to hear this Elaine - I hope the more knowledgeable bods on here can offer you a way forward. All I can think is: Get A New GP!!!

[elaine2447 in reply to AiryFairie]

Hi, if only it were that simple. The GP's are all useless and there is only one other practise a bit further away (I don't drive) who I am told are no better. Everyone is stretched to capacity, it takes over two weeks to get a blood test and up to three weeks to get a GP appointment for all of 10 minutes where you have to gabble off everything quickly.

[AiryFairie in reply to elaine2447]

elaine2447 I know what you about GP appointments. I went online to book an appointment, and instead of the usual 2-3 week wait, it just said that there are NONE available! Oh. Great. So now what???

[elaine2447 in reply to AiryFairie]

Exactly. Even when you get an appointment, it seems they know nothing about thyroid or parathryoidism so we are left to our own devices, Dr Google. Come to think of it, the endocrinologists don't seem to be much better.

[Clutter in reply to elaine2447]

Elaine2447,

Positive thyroid antibodies means you are positive for autoimmune thyroid disease (Hashimoto's). There is no cure for Hashimoto's which causes 90% of hypothyroidism. Treatment is for the low thyroid levels it causes. Many people have found that 100% gluten-free diet is helpful in reducing Hashi flares, symptoms and eventually antibodies.

chriskresser.com/the-gluten...

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_...

[TaraJR in reply to Clutter]

Clutter, would you know what my result means please?

Anti-thyroidperoxidase Abs 57 (normal >34) Blue Horizon Oct 2016

I had Graves in 1987, then RAI. On 150/175 Levo since then, until I started T3 in May 2016. I still have an occasional day when I 'crash'. Would my Abs result refer back to my original Graves, or could this be a new problem eg Hashis?

[Clutter in reply to TaraJR]

TaraJR,

Your TPOab are mildly positive. It's fairly common to have Graves and elevated thyroid peroxidase antibodies. When your thyroid gland was ablated Hashimoto's should have died out. Graves unfortunately does not burn out when the thyroid is destroyed.

[elaine2447 in reply to Clutter]

Thanks for your reply. I gave up eating bread about a year ago and have those boring rice cakes for lunch, also gluten free porridge oats and try to avoid gluten as much as possible. I did purchase the other day Izabella Wentz's book on Thyroiditis which someone here recommended. By the time I looked through the various diets I got overwhelmed. It said to cut out dairy. I do have much dairy as I am not that good with it but I have severe osteoporosis so am in this awful dilemma. Ive also started taking L-glutamine in case I have a leaky gut. I am totally overwhelmed and feel quite ill and on top of everything else got a frozen shoulder and my cat had to have a back leg amputated last Wednesday which has given me the most awful anxiety attacks so have put my health on hold for the time being but at the back of my mind is a constant worry.

[Clutter in reply to elaine2447]

Elaine2447,

So sorry to hear of your cat's amputation. I hope you and your cat recover soon.

[elaine2447 in reply to Clutter]

So kind of you. I feel wrecked and tempted to go to the benzo bottle! When the vet receptionist said how are things this morning, I said I don't know who feels worse, the cat or me. She said probably you! x

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to elaine2447]

You said your vitamin D was "normal". Do you have the actual figures. Personally my shoulder flares up if my vitamin D dips (but remains well with in range) - so as far as GP is concerned still "normal".

If you are going to try to go gluten free, it only works if you are strict. I haven't tried dairy free, for me being strictly GF is enough.....But absolutely no cheating

Very sorry to hear about your cat - we feel so responsible.

[elaine2447 in reply to SlowDragon]

In March my Vitamin D was 89 and then the endocrine surgeon I saw wanted me to take 50,000 iu of Vitamin D once a week for 12 weeks to see if it "stirred up the calcium and parathyroid". Was a stupid exercise suggested by a well established surgeon. I didn't take that much and graduated each day it up to about 35,000 IU a week. The result was 158, and all it did was reduce the calcium slightly and raise the PTH. I was looking in my freezer and found fish lightly dusted so that is a no no, also some quite nice Goodlife Glamorgan and leak veggie sausages with masses of wheat. Is going to be quite difficult. I have been eating those boring rice cakes at lunch time but was cheating and sticking a marmite flavoured one on the top. However, when I looked at the pack of those, barley, so they are not suitable either. I thought I would just try for three weeks or so and then do the blood test that includes the antibodies. I am not expecting anything much, I don't know how long these antibodies have been having a go at my thyroid but I know a scan showed them up in March of this year and by July they were about 800 and have been increasing ever since.

It's difficult to cut out dairy as I have severe osteoporosis. My shoulder was caused by me over reaching back in June and it's gradually got worse with restricted movement. GP it is possible to have a frozen shoulder from over reaching. I have a ultrasound on Friday week. I would like to know for sure as when I had a frozen shoulder in the other shoulder over 10 years ago I did some very painful exercises of my own and eventually after months fixed it but I don't want to do any wrenching with this one in case it is something else like a damaged ligament.

The cat is bearing up but I feel terrible every time I see him struggling to get his balance. The stress it has caused me alone has been awful. Not this particular incidence but I wonder if stress can cause antibodies as I have had a great deal the last 30 years or more with deaths and illness in the family.

I have stopped taking the L-glutamine as I don't think it was agreeing with me. Shame as it is supposed to be good for a leaky gut but then I don't know if I have that.

[Jefner in reply to elaine2447]

I wouldnt take selenium unless you have tested first. I was going to supplement but i tested first and my levels were over range

[elaine2447 in reply to Jefner]

Oh thanks for the tip. It is only 100 ug. I don't know where I would get that tested. GP's are so reluctant to do blood tests. I mentioned to her I was starting selenium and she said that's good. This thyroid thing is all very new to me as I had been concentrating on the parathyroid which is completely different of course. First ultrasound said possible adenoma and then second ultrasound done at a different clinic 5 months later, said he thought it was more inflammation causing shadowing than an adenoma. Suggested thyroiditis possibly Graves and to have antibodies test which endo surgeon ignored for four months as he was wanting me to experiment on the vitamin D to "stir up calcium and parathyroid".

[Eddie83]

You have TPO antibodies at a low level. The capitators in medicine claim there is a range of low values (in this case 0.0-9.0) which means you do not have Hashi's. This is a falsehood, as I learned from my case. I had low-level antibodies for decades, and that period of time was sufficient for low-level antibodies, to destroy my thyroid function.

This subject is kind of a shell game with MDs. Even if you had antibodies of 10 or above, the average MD doesn't know how to treat it. The only treatment they are likely to offer, is a T4 supplement to take hormone production stress off your thyroid. In fact, Hashi's is often an environmental health problem: the effect of unsafe foods, or general pollutants, on your thyroid system. A naturopath is more likely than an MD, to understand this and suggest a course of action that involves removing offending substances from your body, or adding nutritional supplements to halt deficiencies. If you consult an ND, just make sure it is someone who graduated from one of the (few) truly reputable naturopathic schools, as there are a lot of boxtop-degree types out there.

[Heloise]

Hi Jannie, there are so many reasons for low thyroid. This man says at least 24. You are on such a low dose, I wonder what your FT3 would reveal. Probably low.

youtube.com/watch?v=IIX2Z_i...(Not working as expected?)

[AiryFairie in reply to Heloise]

Thanks for this Heloise. Interesting, but don't think I would get far trying to explain any of this to my GP. He refuses point blank to even test T3.

[Heloise in reply to AiryFairie]

jannie, just letting you know that there IS knowledge out there. Too much to expect from most conventional doctors. I've been here for three years and we have gone past this abuse. You can get your own T3 test and you can order T3 and as I always state you can do a better evaluation of what works best for your body. Another hormone they will probably overlook is progesterone. Turns out estrogen dominance is also a common problem. This man is also a wonderful teacher about how our bodies function if you are interested.

youtube.com/watch?v=T_Re4ja...(Not working as expected?)

[AiryFairie in reply to Heloise]

Thanks, Heloise . I plan to see a different GP at my NHS practice, and to see if they will test me for T3 (previous GP wouldn't let me have it tested). Also have decided to push again for an increase in Levo. That's when I can actually get an appointment - there are NONE available at the moment!

[Heloise in reply to AiryFairie]

Well you can try. I will just say that many people here have gone through everything YOU are presently going through and often to no avail. Let us know when you arrive at that point. Don't let your health deteriorate.