Is it normal to have a high Thyroperoxidase Antibody level?

[Track209]

Hello, I recently had testing done for my thyroid as I was having several symptoms of hypothyroidism (hair falling out in large quantities, unusual weight gain, fatigue, sensitivity to cold, etc) and I have a long family history of thyroid problems (both hyper and hypothyroid). I am a 28 year old female who is otherwise "healthy" (minus the symptoms listed above) and my test results are as followed:

Thyroperoxidase Antibody = 168.5 (normal <5.6)- which would be high
Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) = 1.87 (normal = 0.35-4.0)- which would be normal
T3 = 135 (normal 58-159)- hich would be normal as well

For some reason my doctor did not test me for T4, which I see that many people get tested for that as well. My question is, is it normal to have an elevated antibody level if the other results are 'normal'? My doctor said all the results were normal; however, when I checked them I saw that antibody test was much higher than the normal range, so now I am unsure. Thank you for any guidance or insight you may have.

[goolarra]

I agree.  The elevated TPOab indicates that you have autoimmune thyroid disease (Hashi's).  The elevated antibodies almost always precede symptoms since it can take years or even decades for the antibodies to destroy enough thyroid function to cause symptoms.  Your TSH and T3 still look good.  However, I believe that the T3 test you report is a total T3, not a free T3 (FT3), and TT3 is considered an obsolete test. You're right that FT4 is usually tested along with TSH adn FT3.

Based on the elevated TPOab, it would be a good idea to retest, including TSH, FT3 and FT4.  Be sure they test free T3 and free T4.  If "free" is not specified, you will get total.

[stella5349]

In Hashimoto thyroid disease this usually is the cases for many patients.