thyroid peroxidase (TPO antibodies) test - resu... - Thyroid UK

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thyroid peroxidase (TPO antibodies) test - results time - waiting

CharlyMae profile image
6 Replies

Hey everyone,

3 going on 4 weeks ago I had the antibodies blood test to see if I have Hashimoto's and the doctor has said I need to wait 6 weeks for the results to be in?

She told me this after being confused about the wait time.

Is this right? Online it says within days?

What’s your experience? (U.K.)

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CharlyMae profile image
CharlyMae
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6 Replies
radd profile image
radd

CharlyMea,

Surgerys often tell us we can't have our test results until the doctors seen them but for thyroid function & antibodies your results should have been available within 2 or 3 days.

The six week wait indicates the time we have to leave between tests after a dose raise.

Ask your surgery for a printout of your test results. Do not accept being told verbally or having them scribbled on a piece of paper that risks omitting important info.

Post results complete with ranges (numbers in brackets) for members to comment.

Buddy195 profile image
Buddy195Administrator

Many of us in the forum test thyroid bloods, antibodies & key vitamins privately, then we don’t have to rely on medics. Even my endo can’t guarantee that labs will test T3 & antibodies if TSH is in range. That’s why I test privately (not asking for doctor comments- as there is a delay in returning if you ask for this) and post results on here. Knowledgeable members always give great advice. Results are available from private tests within 3-4 days of posting.

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator

Sounds like lab didn’t test antibodies

As you have PCOS and endometriosis it’s likely you have autoimmune thyroid disease also called Hashimoto’s diagnosed by high thyroid antibodies or by ultrasound

Some Hashimoto’s patients only have high TG antibodies (NHS won’t test)

20% Hashimoto’s patients never have high thyroid antibodies. Ultrasound scan can help get diagnosis

For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4 and FT3 plus both TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested.

Also EXTREMELY important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12

Low iron ferritin likely if you have heavy periods

Low vitamin levels are extremely common with Hashimoto’s

Ask GP to test vitamin levels

Recommended on here that all thyroid blood tests should ideally be done as early as possible in morning and before eating or drinking anything other than water .

Last dose of Levothyroxine 24 hours prior to blood test. (taking delayed dose immediately after blood draw).

This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip)

Private tests are available as NHS currently rarely tests Ft3 or thyroid antibodies or all relevant vitamins

List of private testing options

thyroiduk.org/getting-a-dia...

Medichecks Thyroid plus antibodies and vitamins

medichecks.com/products/adv...

Thriva Thyroid plus antibodies and vitamins By DIY fingerpick test

thriva.co/tests/thyroid-test

Thriva also offer just vitamin testing

Blue Horizon Thyroid Premium Gold includes antibodies, cortisol and vitamins by DIY fingerprick test

bluehorizonbloodtests.co.uk...

If you can get GP to test vitamins and antibodies then cheapest option for just TSH, FT4 and FT3

£29 (via NHS private service ) and 10% off down to £26.10 if go on thyroid uk for code

thyroiduk.org/getting-a-dia...

monitormyhealth.org.uk/

NHS easy postal kit vitamin D test £29 via

vitamindtest.org.uk

CharlyMae profile image
CharlyMae

Just to clarify, I did have the antibodies test to see if I have Hashimotos. I already know I have under active thyroid.

I had the blood test 4 weeks ago and the doctor told me I had to wait longer as it’s a ‘special test’ and would likely have to wait a full 6 weeks to find out my results.

It just seems everyone else has had their results back in 2-3 days and mine is taking ages?

I wonder if they have lost them?

I had the test on NHS under my GP so I know the results are coming, it’s just about when?

They wouldn’t get me to take the antibodies test and then not give me the results... surely?

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator in reply to CharlyMae

Did you get antibodies test result yet

Have you had dose levothyroxine increased to 50mcg (or higher)

Cellocat profile image
Cellocat

Hi there, my (elevated) NHS TPO antibody test result arrived 3 weeks after my (next day) TSH result. The TPO test was a complete surprise as the TSH result was within range. The GP surgery explained that the TPO test is done in batches at a different lab, arranged through the original NHS lab. Still waiting for a coeliac test result :)

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