What is - Thyroid Peroxidase Abs test? High level result.

[Jellyboots]

Hi everyone, I posted a little while ago about my symptoms and test results which were only partly done and resistance from GP to do anything more. Your advice was likely hypothyroidism and to get second opinion. And lots of links to lots of very good information (thanks 😊).

I had to wait but I sought a second opinion and went armed with facts and a list and pushed my case and the GP (a different one) agreed to run some tests again but only did TSH and THYROID PEROXIDASE ABS (I don’t know what that is).

The GP was far more reasonable and said she would discuss my results with the endocrinologist consultant (rather than wait for appt with them) once they were in. Again pushed that it was menopause but I pushed back - I have well over half the symptoms of hypo.

The TSH is at 4.11ish/L (range 0.35 -4.94) and the Thyroid Peroxidase Abs is at 192.9 (range 0 - 5.5).

I’ve looked online and it seems results could point to hypothyroidism, hashimotos or graves (which I have had in the distant past) depending on what you read. Can anyone advise me on what this means? What should I be asking my GP when I speak to her? What is the test and why is level so high?

Thanks very much if you’ve got this far! 😊

[greygoose]

As it says below the results, raised antibodies are 'suggestive' of Autoimmune Thyroid Disease - aka Autoimmune thyroiditis - aka Hashi's. But I would go further and say that with TPO antibodies that high, it's sure and certain that you have Hashi's!

Hashi's is therefore the cause of your hypothyroisim. And you are hypo with a TSH over 3, but the NHS, in all it's wisdom (!) likes the TSH to go over 10 before it will diagnose.

High TPOab can sometimes be seen with Graves', but given your TSH it's unlikely you have that.

You say you had Graves' in the past? How was that diagnosed? It could just have been the start of your Hashi's, because Hashi's starts with a false 'hyper' phase, which is temporary, but a lot of doctors don't know the difference, and give a false diagnosis. It would be unusual for you to have had Graves' long ago and now have Hashi's.

[HealthStarDust]

hypothyroidism, hashimotos or graves (which I have had in the distant past)

Could you explain this comment a bit more? Do you mean you was diagnosed was Graves and if so what happened?

[Jellyboots in reply to HealthStarDust]

Hi was around 2009 ish when I went to gp for tests in advance of trying to conceive (all the fertility books said that’s what you should do so that’s what I did) and I was referred to endo and they diagnosed Graves. I was put on medication to bring it under control (think carbimazole and PTU - was moved from one to another - can’t remember which order but I know one of them tasted awful. It worked enough to ttc and after pregnancy my thyroid ‘stabilised’ (not sure of med term) and I was monitored with TSH tests which were always ‘normal’ but since learned that never taken at correct time of day and never with T3,4 etc. Have had very low iron levels since having kids (2011) and felt particularly awful and exhausted for last 4 ish years, put weight on and all the other symptoms, especially hair falling out and brittle nails and achy joints.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Jellyboots]

So sounds like Hashimoto’s since at least last pregnancy

Hashimoto’s frequently starts with transient hyperthyroid type symptoms and results before becoming increasingly hypothyroid

It’s also possible to have Graves’ disease and Hashimoto’s

Were TSI or Trab antibodies ever tested to confirm Graves’ disease. Can you check old records

Very important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 at least once year minimum

Low vitamin levels as RESULT of being hypothyroid are extremely common

What are your most recent iron/ferritin, folate, B12 and vitamin D results

Important to get all four vitamins to GOOD levels

About 90% of primary hypothyroidism is autoimmune thyroid disease, usually diagnosed by high thyroid antibodies

Autoimmune thyroid disease with goitre is Hashimoto’s

Autoimmune thyroid disease without goitre is Ord’s thyroiditis.

Both are autoimmune and generally called Hashimoto’s.

Low vitamin levels are extremely common when hypothyroid, especially with autoimmune thyroid disease

20% of autoimmune thyroid patients never have high thyroid antibodies and ultrasound scan of thyroid can get diagnosis

In U.K. medics hardly ever refer to autoimmune thyroid disease as Hashimoto’s (or Ord’s thyroiditis)

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)

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

Testing options and includes money off codes for private testing

thyroiduk.org/testing/

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.

Link about thyroid blood tests

thyroiduk.org/testing/thyro...

Link about Hashimoto’s

thyroiduk.org/hypothyroid-b...

Symptoms of hypothyroidism

thyroiduk.org/signs-and-sym...

Tips on how to do DIY finger prick test

See detailed reply by SeasideSusie

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