Are there different ways/units how to express anti-TPO antibodies

[hanaskipton]

Hi everyone,

would you be able to advise me if there are different ways/units how to express thyroid peroxidase antibodies? The reason I'm asking is because my first private blood test about 2 months ago, showed result of 65.1 IU/mL (normal range 0-34). I have since started taking levothyroxine 50mcg a day and had a new blood test done via NHS a couple days ago - it showed anti-TPO antibodies >1300 (doesn't mention units or ranges). It seems strange to me see such a big increase??

They have also tested thyroglobulin antibodies - on my first private test it was 230 IU/mL (range 0-115) and on the recent NHS test it went down to 169 IU/mL.

Thank you very much for your advise.

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Different labs might have slightly different ranges for their antibody tests, but once you're over the upper limit of a range that is positive for autoimmune thyroid disease aka Hashimoto's.

The nature of Hashi's is that the antibodies fluctuate so if you continue to test them you can expect to see different results. There is actually no need to retest once you know you are positive for Hashi's.

[samaja in reply to SeasideSusie]

Actually there is every need to retest regularly if you are having some form of intervention other than just levo tablets to see if it is working and the antibodies are going down though like everything else in Hashi the most important thing is how you feel and symptoms not just test results alone. However, low or below the range antibodies and no symptoms means your treatment is successful and in practical terms you are in remission.