TPO antibodies positive

[Wellthisisfun]

Hi, I am looking for advice on my latest blood test results.

I have posted before but in brief, i had a baby in December, suffered with acute Thyrotoxicosis in February, went on Carbimazole, quickly became hypothyroid. For some reason my original TPO test result got lost; but my latest results show my thyroid levels (TSH, T3 and T4) have all normalised (I’m feeling good too!) but my TPO antibodies are positive at over 900 (no range stated).

My consultant hasn’t advised me on this, I’m just to have a further blood test in 8 week.

Does the positive TPO antibodies mean that I am dealing with an autoimmune thyroid disease which will be lifelong, or could this result still just be caused by temporary postpartum thyroiditis?

I originally thought that if TPO antibodies were negative it was postpartum thyroiditis and if they were positive it was Graves. But I then had hypo levels which isn’t Graves(?) and everything I read confuses me further!

Thank you in advance!

[Buddy195 Administrator]

I’m glad you are feeling much better Wellthisisfun👍

I would definitely ask for a print out of your past/ current antibody test results just to double check. I was originally diagnosed as Graves (largely in symptoms) but (after encouragement from forum members) pressed to find out more & later antibodies showed I have Hashimotos.

Graves Disease (hyperthyroidism) needs to be confirmed via positive TRab or TSI: 

TRab TSH receptor antibodies 

TSI Thyroid-Stimulating Immunoglobulin

TPO & TG antibodies may be Graves or Hashimotos.  

TPOab Thyroid Peroxidase antibodies

TGab Thyroglobulin antibodies

[Wellthisisfun in reply to Buddy195]

thank you. So do the antibodies mean I have either Hashimotos or Graves, or could it be neither and just be general thyroiditis caused by having a baby?

[PurpleNails Administrator]

TPO antibodies are present with both thyroid autoimmune conditions. So positive TPO makes it more likely you eventually become hypothyroid from gradually autoimmune damage.

Graves causes continuous hyper and is confirmed by TSI or Trab. Doctors aren't interested in antibodies because that's not what they treat by. They'd rather look at TSH and decide if you are hyper or hypo based on that. But it's much better to know what antibodies are present and to focus on FT4 & FT3

[Buddy195 Administrator]

Positive TPO antibodies can indicate both autoimmune conditions.

I would check your original antibody test (when you were diagnosed as Graves), as (I found) medics can get things wrong & diagnose on symptoms rather than correct antibody tests.

Can you share results for TSH, FT3 and FT4 (with ranges)?