What does elevated Thyroid Peroxidase Autoantibodies mean?

[rondoo]

I was just looking through some copies of previous labs and noticed an elevated Thyroid Peroxidase Autoantibodies that I had not seen before.  78 (range <60).   I had a TT in 9/09 for Papillary Thyroid Cancer.  I had no history of thyroid disease and thyroid levels were always in normal range.   What does this mean?  Endo ordered test but never mentioned this.

[Barb135]

To my knowledge, thyroid antibodies only attack the thyroid.

[rondoo]

Yes, I am on Synthroid 125 mcg and Cytomel 5mcg.  I was wondering if the antibodies had an affect on anything else..

[Barb135]

Just means you have antibodies.  Since thyroid antibodies only attack the thyroid, I would think they will go into remission since you have no thyroid.  If you had a thyroid, the antibodies would continue to attack it until it no longer worked; you've taken this "job" away from them.

Are you on thyroid replacement hormones?

[rondoo]

Does that mean anything now since my thyroid is removed?

[Barb135]

Elevated TPOab indicates that you have an autoimmune thyroid disease.