Thyroid peroxidase antibody level

[MichelleMoore]

I have recently got access to my blood tests that I have had over the years

And was shocked to find this as I did not get told anything about it.

Could someone help who knows what this means as

272 IU/ml. 0-49 IU/ml

263 IU/ml. 0-49 IU/ml

Thank you

[Andyb1205]

It means you have Hashimotos, those results couldn’t be any clearer!

[MichelleMoore in reply to Andyb1205]

Is that treated with levothyroxin?

[cjrsquared in reply to MichelleMoore]

Autoimmune hypothyroidism, hashimoto’s disease, is the main cause of hypothyroidism in the western world. The bodies produces antibodies which attack the thyroid and eventually destroy it. That said doctors only treat with levothyroxine once the thyroid can no longer produce enough of your own hormone. In the early stage of the disease antibodies can be high but the thyroid is still producing enough hormone. Medics then adopt a monitoring system, repeat bloods until TSH is raised before starting treatment.

[shaws Administrator in reply to MichelleMoore]

Hashimoto's is also called an Autoimmune Thyroid Disease and is the commonest cause of hypothyroidism and I'll give you a couple of links. To help reduce the antibodies which attack the thyroid gland until we're hypothyroid going gluten-free can help. It is treated the same as hypothyroidism i.e. with levothyroxine.

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

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

[jimh111]

These results mean you have elevated TPO antibodies. This is very common, it puts you at increased risk of developing primary hypothyroidism or Hashimoto's thyroiditis at some time in the future pdfs.semanticscholar.org/15... .

I believe you are on levothyroxine and so presumably have been diagnosed as hypothyroid. It's probable, but not certain, that your hypothyroidism was caused by TPO antibodies attacking your thyroid. These antibody levels tend to fall after your thyroid has completely failed. Strictly speaking you do not have Hashimoto's unless your thyroid is inflammed and you have a goitre. The term Hashimoto's tends to be misused, most patients have autoimmune primary hypothyroidism. Perhaps a bit like saying we have 'flu when truly we just have a heavy cold.

[MichelleMoore in reply to jimh111]

Thank you and yes I have hypothyroidism and I’m on levothyroxin I just did not know what this test was for it’s not expanded to me I’m learning a lot on this group

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Your antibodies are high this is Hashimoto's, (also known by medics here in UK more commonly as autoimmune thyroid disease). About 90% of all primary hypothyroidism in Uk is due to Hashimoto's

Essential to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12.

Always get actual results and ranges. Post results when you have them, members can advise

Hashimoto's affects the gut and leads to low stomach acid and then low vitamin levels

Low vitamin levels affect Thyroid hormone working

Poor gut function can lead leaky gut (literally holes in gut wall) this can cause food intolerances. Most common by far is gluten. Dairy is second most common.

According to Izabella Wentz the Thyroid Pharmacist approx 5% with Hashimoto's are coeliac, but over 80% find gluten free diet helps, sometimes significantly. Either due to direct gluten intolerance (no test available) or due to leaky gut and gluten causing molecular mimicry (see Amy Myers link)

Changing to a strictly gluten free diet may help reduce symptoms, help gut heal and slowly lower TPO antibodies

Ideally ask GP for coeliac blood test first

amymyersmd.com/2017/02/3-im...

chriskresser.com/the-gluten...

thyroidpharmacist.com/artic...

scdlifestyle.com/2014/08/th...

drknews.com/changing-your-d...

thyroidpharmacist.com/artic...

Levothyroxine dose should be increased slowly in 25mcg steps until TSH is around one and FT4 towards top of range and FT3 at least half way in range

Low vitamin levels are very common and often need regular supplementing to maintain at good levels