is tpo anti bodies high or indicative of anything 215 IU/mL

[Polarbear54321]

just had private blood tests tpo 215 IU/mL

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK]

Unfortunately, the reference intervals (ranges) for tests vary by laboratory.

Did you get the range from the test provider? (Usually printed after the result as something like 10-100 or > 10.)

Could you add that - either by a reply or by editing your original post, please?

[Polarbear54321 in reply to helvella]

It was monitor your health and no additional details

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK in reply to Polarbear54321]

Monitor My Health do have more information available - here:

What do my results mean?

TPO antibodies of 35 or above:

You have raised levels of TPO antibodies. If your thyroid tests show a subclinical hypothyroid pattern, this suggests that you may have a higher chance of developing an underactive thyroid in the future. If you have already been diagnosed with an underactive thyroid, this suggests that this condition is caused by an autoimmune disease affecting the thyroid.

TPO antibodies of 34 or below:

You have normal levels of TPO antibodies. If your thyroid tests show a subclinical hypothyroid pattern, this suggests that you have a lower chance of developing an underactive thyroid in the future.

If you have already been diagnosed with an underactive thyroid, this result does not indicate whether or not this condition is caused by an autoimmune disease affecting the thyroid. Up to 1 in 10 people with an autoimmune underactive thyroid condition have TPO antibodies within the normal range (i.e. 34 or below).

monitormyhealth.org.uk/thyr...

With 215 being over six times 35, I think this is very clearly and strongly a positive result. Definitely autoimmune thyroid diseases.

It might help, if you would like more help, for you to post the other test results. It's impossible for us to know if your thyroid is still producing sufficient thyroid hormone from this alone. And maybe add something about how you have reached the point of paying fro a private test?

Screenshot from Monitor My Health website

[Polarbear54321 in reply to helvella]

Thanks. I wasn’t sure if that related to that as it’s a whole number.

So-

I am 37 and stopped having periods.

Been diagnosed with POI. But also had bloods done that brought up issues with thyroid. But subclinical. I have lots of symptoms. Mood/ energy levels/ weight issues mostly.

When I had my baby in 2020. I had iron problems and subclinical then (which I paid no attention to then but remember them saying it)

My mum had Graves’ disease and had Thyroid removed at 20.

THYROID STIMULATING HORMONE

02/10/2023

5.61 mu/L

TSH levels high (normal range 0.27 - 4.2 mU/L)

THYROXINE

02/10/2023

15.1 pmol/L

FT4 levels normal (normal range 12 - 22 pmol/L)

TRIODOTHYRONINE

02/10/2023

4.6 pmol/L

FT3 levels normal (normal range 3.1 - 6.8 pmol/L)

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK in reply to Polarbear54321]

Do you still have iron issues? For example, have you had a ferritin test in the reasonably recent past?

[Polarbear54321 in reply to helvella]

Not paid for in private tests but have had two nhs tests for the POI and didn’t say any issues with iron

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK in reply to Polarbear54321]

I think you need to get hold of those results. There is a tendency for results that are within the reference intervals to be assumed to be fine. That is very much not correct in all too many cases. And a classic is ferritin.

We see members post a result like 20 (with bottom of their lab's range being 15) having been told that is fine. But even NICE say anything below 30 is deficient.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Next step get vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 levels tested very likely low as direct result

Plus request GP do coeliac blood test as high thyroid antibodies confirms autoimmune thyroid disease aka Hashimoto’s

As per NICE guidelines

nice.org.uk/guidance/ng20/c...

TSH is over range

FT4: 15.1 pmol/l (Range 12 - 22)

Ft4 only 31.00% through range

FT3: 4.4 pmol/l (Range 3.1 - 6.8)

Ft3 only 35.14% through range

Bloods should be retested again in 6-8 weeks

Recommended that all thyroid blood tests early morning, ideally just before 9am, only drink water between waking and test

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

2 separate NHS tests with TSH over 5, plus high thyroid antibodies and hypo symptoms….you should be started on levothyroxine

Starting levothyroxine - flow chart

gps.northcentrallondonccg.n...

[Polarbear54321 in reply to SlowDragon]

Just posting an update. Request gp results for bloods that I have been having since August. Tsh was high in my first test which was ignored and I was sent down the premature menopause/ do you think your depressed route. Thanks to my private tests and your advice I went to the dr armed with the symptom checker and my private results. She said ‘Your TPO’s are high’ and said she would start me on thyroxine. Starting dose of 25. I’ve ignored that and taken 50 plus all the vitamins that you reccomended. I have been taking the medicine a for just over a week and I already feel so much better. I literally haven’t slept like this in years. It’s like my body can finally relax. I think I still might be on too little as the fatigue creeps back in- but the improvement already suggests this was the route of my issues.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Polarbear54321]

50mcg is only the standard STARTER dose

You will need further increases in dose over coming months

Common to see hypothyroid symptoms start to return as your body gets used to current dose and is ready for next increase

Retest 6-8 weeks after each increase

All thyroid blood tests early morning, ideally just before 9am, only drink water between waking and test and last dose levothyroxine 24 hours before test

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

Which brand of levothyroxine are you currently taking

what were your vitamin levels BEFORE starting on supplements

Retest vitamin levels at next test too

Monitor My Health also now offer thyroid and vitamin testing, plus cholesterol and HBA1C for £65

(Doesn’t include thyroid antibodies)

monitormyhealth.org.uk/full...

10% off code here

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

Medichecks Thyroid plus antibodies and vitamins

medichecks.com/products/adv...

Blue Horizon Thyroid Premium Gold includes antibodies, cortisol and vitamins

bluehorizonbloodtests.co.uk...

Only do private testing early Monday or Tuesday morning.

Tips on how to do DIY finger prick test

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

Medichecks and BH also offer private blood draw at clinic near you, or private nurse to your own home…..for an extra fee

Just TSH, Ft4 and Ft3 test - £32

monitormyhealth.org.uk/thyr...

10% off code here

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

[Polarbear54321]

thank you for your help. It’s a bit of a minefield and just getting head around it. This was an evening blood test straight after dinner! I just feel awful and want to feel better.

[Polarbear54321]

does anyone know if my POI is likely to reverse if my thyroid issues are sorted?

[radd in reply to Polarbear54321]

Polarbear54321,

I've not experienced it myself as I didn't have POI, but Isabella Wentz thought she had POI as her sex hormones were so deficient but reversed and she ended up managing to conceive.