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thyroid peroxidase antibodies
Hi I had blood work done and my thyroid peroxidase antibodies was high 556. My Doctor is sending me to a endocrinologist. Why?
Antibody ranges vary lab to lab, so you have to get the range from your own lab report. The highest reference range I've seen tops out at about 100.
Would you please post your FT3, FT4 and TSH (with reference ranges)?
TPOab can be elevated with both Hashi's and Graves'. I can comment further if you post labs.
Would you please post your FT3, FT4 and TSH (with reference ranges)?
TPOab can be elevated with both Hashi's and Graves'. I can comment further if you post labs.
I found out today that my antibodies are 246. my tsh, free t3 and t4 were in normal range although my t4 was on the lower side of normal. What is the normal range of TPA and should I see an endo doctor? how do I know if its hashi or graves? I have symptoms of both
Your TPOab are elevated at 278, which indicates you have Hashimoto's thyroiditis. Hashi's is an autoimmune disease and the most prevalent cause of hypo in the developed world. For some unknown reason, our immune systems start to see the thyroid as foreign tissue and set out to destroy it. Once you have antibodies, you have them for life. You will have thyroiditis for the rest of your life.
Please post actual numbers for T3 and T4 and include reference ranges. Ranges vary lab to lab and have to come from your own lab report. Just being "in normal range" is often not enough to keep symptoms at bay. Also, do those tests say they're FREE T3 (FT3) and FREE T4 (FT4)?
What's your D level now?
Please post actual numbers for T3 and T4 and include reference ranges. Ranges vary lab to lab and have to come from your own lab report. Just being "in normal range" is often not enough to keep symptoms at bay. Also, do those tests say they're FREE T3 (FT3) and FREE T4 (FT4)?
What's your D level now?
Hi I have been having trouble with my thyroid as well my thyroid peroxidase antibodies were 278 and my t3 and t4 were normal. I have gain over 60lbs. in the last past year. I also had an extremely low vit. D level until I started the vitamins its in normal range as of now.I have really dry skin on my back no matter how much I moisterize it, its still the same. Are these the signs of having hypothyroid? This is the second time in a year the doctor has told me I had thyroiditis
The only thyroid test there is TSH, and your's looks good. However, the actual thyroid hormone tests, FREE T3 and FREE T4, (TSH is a pituitary hormone) are much more important in defining thyroid status. With you high TPOab count, FT3, FT4 and TSH should be monitored on a regular basis.
As 898_1 pointed out, we can have elevated TPOab for years, or even decades, before they damage thyroid function enough to cause symptoms and cause thyroid test results to go out of range.
Iron deficiency and thyroid deficiency can cause many of the same symptoms, so it's difficult to decide which is causing yours.
The cause of high TPOab is unknown. For some reason, our immune systems begin to "see" the thyroid as foreign tissue and attack it. It's the same type of reaction that causes other autoimmune diseases (although the antibodies are different), like lupus, type I diabetes, pernicious anemia, etc.
Although there is no cure for Hashi's, it's very treatable and no reason it should have to take away from your or your children's lives. I've had it for a number of years, and once treated, I feel just fine. You're lucky that it was caught early...I had to go through about a year of doctors trying to figure out what was wrong with me before I was treated.
When you see the endo, ask for FREE T3 and FREE T4 tests if he doesn't suggest them (he should). If you get those and want help interpreting them, we'll be glad to help. One caution: Just being within "normal" range on FT3 and FT4 is seldom enough to resolve symptoms. FT4 often has to be in the middle of the range, and FT3 in the upper half to upper third before we feel well.
I don't know enough about your other blood work to comment nor how pancreatitis might affect TPOab. That would be a good question for the endo.
As 898_1 pointed out, we can have elevated TPOab for years, or even decades, before they damage thyroid function enough to cause symptoms and cause thyroid test results to go out of range.
Iron deficiency and thyroid deficiency can cause many of the same symptoms, so it's difficult to decide which is causing yours.
The cause of high TPOab is unknown. For some reason, our immune systems begin to "see" the thyroid as foreign tissue and attack it. It's the same type of reaction that causes other autoimmune diseases (although the antibodies are different), like lupus, type I diabetes, pernicious anemia, etc.
Although there is no cure for Hashi's, it's very treatable and no reason it should have to take away from your or your children's lives. I've had it for a number of years, and once treated, I feel just fine. You're lucky that it was caught early...I had to go through about a year of doctors trying to figure out what was wrong with me before I was treated.
When you see the endo, ask for FREE T3 and FREE T4 tests if he doesn't suggest them (he should). If you get those and want help interpreting them, we'll be glad to help. One caution: Just being within "normal" range on FT3 and FT4 is seldom enough to resolve symptoms. FT4 often has to be in the middle of the range, and FT3 in the upper half to upper third before we feel well.
I don't know enough about your other blood work to comment nor how pancreatitis might affect TPOab. That would be a good question for the endo.
Hashis just means that your immune system "thinks" that your thyroid glans is a foreign invader. And the immune system is meant to kill foreign invaders. So the antibody that you have indicates that your immune system is attacking your thyroid.
What this means is that as the immune system and antibodies take their toll on your thyroid, your thyroid will produce less and less thyroid hormone. As a result, you will need thyroid replacement hormone medicine at some point. And the dosage is likely to increase over time as your immune system continues to progressively weaken your thyroid gland.
So don't get too freaked out about Hashimoto's. It is treatable. However the process to find the optimized dosage is the trick. And this can take some time.
Now then. Further education. You will need to be sure that you have additional blood tests done. And be VERY specific and adamant about it.
The MOST important (despite what any endo or Dr may tell you with their illogical belief in TSH) are the two ACTUAL thyroid hormones. These are the "FREE T4 and FREE T3". These measure the amount of thyroid hormone molecules that are NOT attached to a protein thus the name or title of "free". Once a hormone attaches to a protein it becomes biologically inactive (useless). An older outdated test will test for "total" T4 and "total" T3. This measures both the free and the attached hormone. But since you have no idea what percentage are "free" to do any work, it doesn't tell you much. So be absolutely persistent to get BOTH the Free T4 and Free T3.
Now many people find that they need their levels in order to feel good to be BOTH
1) Free T4 in the MIDDLE of the range or higher (50% of the range)
AND - that means in addition to
2) Free T3 in the UPPER 1/3 of the range (66.7%)
Notice that this is significantly above just being "somewhere" within the normal range. This is a rule of thumb and everyone is different. But this rule seems to work far better than when people are within range but are in the lower potions of the ranges. So don't let a Dr tell you different. If you are symptomatic even though you are in the so called "normal" range, they you may need further medication.
Finally you may also want to have a few vitamins and minerals tested as well. You already know about iron. But I think the RDW measures the size of the red blood cells. As the test indicated it show that it is high. I believe this CAN or MAY be indicative of Vit B-12 deficiency and in particular a condition called pernicious anemia. Which dramatically lowers your B-12 levels. So I think it would be advisable to get your B-12 levels checked.
In addition to iron you may also want to get checked for a related item of Ferritin. Also Vitamin D3. These three B12, Iron & D3 are pretty common to be low in people who are low thyroid and frankly just in USA culture. Although you live in CA which helps for vit D as it is produced by sunshine on the skin. Us folks relegated to the northern part of the USA with hard winter where we cover up our skin and it is dark for most of the day in the winter are particularly at risk to be low Vit D.
Note that most of the "normal" ranges for the vitamins are EXTREMELY wide. And many if not most people do not feel will until they are well up into the range. Again particularly in B-12.
As far as causes of Hashimoto's. I don't think anyone knows for sure. We only really know what it is and how to treat it.
A certain amount of antibodies can and do exist. But when the ranges of either TPOab or TGab are elevated, it indicates the autoimmune condition of Hashimoto's. BTW you were only tested for TGab. For a positive confirmation of Hashi's you only really need to have EITHER one of the two antibodies to be elevated. But you may also wish to have the other antibody tested as well.
It sounds like your symptoms at this point are not too severe. And your TSH for what its worth (not much) is not terribly out whack. So you may be one of the lucky people who has found out early that they have Hashi's. Many people are severely symptomatic and feeling horrible before they find out. Trust us when we say it is better to start early, know the condition and be able to start with smaller doses of medicine and be able to keep up with the progression and dosage than it is to start at a severe deficit and try to catch up.
Final warning. Do NOT just blistfully take the endo's word blindly. Being and endo many have found is no guarantee that they even know what they are doing with Thyroid issues. Most Endo's these days are focused on diabetes and may not be much if any better than your family Dr when it comes to thyroid issues. A "good" thyroid Dr will test your free T4 and Free T3. ANd will adjust dosage of medication base PRIMARILY upon your symptoms with the blood labs as a guide. So a "good" thyroid Dr can and often times are your local Dr versus the so called "expert" endocrinologist.
many people have to go through several. As in 4 to 10 dr's before they can find a "good Thyroid Dr." Others luck out on the 1st try.
If you get a Dr who ONLY believes in using TSH and won't test for the other thyroid hormones. The best single piece of advice is to find another Dr ASAP. A TSH only dr will almost assuredly keep you feeling sick or less than optimum unless you win the lottery with luck.
Hope this helps.
What this means is that as the immune system and antibodies take their toll on your thyroid, your thyroid will produce less and less thyroid hormone. As a result, you will need thyroid replacement hormone medicine at some point. And the dosage is likely to increase over time as your immune system continues to progressively weaken your thyroid gland.
So don't get too freaked out about Hashimoto's. It is treatable. However the process to find the optimized dosage is the trick. And this can take some time.
Now then. Further education. You will need to be sure that you have additional blood tests done. And be VERY specific and adamant about it.
The MOST important (despite what any endo or Dr may tell you with their illogical belief in TSH) are the two ACTUAL thyroid hormones. These are the "FREE T4 and FREE T3". These measure the amount of thyroid hormone molecules that are NOT attached to a protein thus the name or title of "free". Once a hormone attaches to a protein it becomes biologically inactive (useless). An older outdated test will test for "total" T4 and "total" T3. This measures both the free and the attached hormone. But since you have no idea what percentage are "free" to do any work, it doesn't tell you much. So be absolutely persistent to get BOTH the Free T4 and Free T3.
Now many people find that they need their levels in order to feel good to be BOTH
1) Free T4 in the MIDDLE of the range or higher (50% of the range)
AND - that means in addition to
2) Free T3 in the UPPER 1/3 of the range (66.7%)
Notice that this is significantly above just being "somewhere" within the normal range. This is a rule of thumb and everyone is different. But this rule seems to work far better than when people are within range but are in the lower potions of the ranges. So don't let a Dr tell you different. If you are symptomatic even though you are in the so called "normal" range, they you may need further medication.
Finally you may also want to have a few vitamins and minerals tested as well. You already know about iron. But I think the RDW measures the size of the red blood cells. As the test indicated it show that it is high. I believe this CAN or MAY be indicative of Vit B-12 deficiency and in particular a condition called pernicious anemia. Which dramatically lowers your B-12 levels. So I think it would be advisable to get your B-12 levels checked.
In addition to iron you may also want to get checked for a related item of Ferritin. Also Vitamin D3. These three B12, Iron & D3 are pretty common to be low in people who are low thyroid and frankly just in USA culture. Although you live in CA which helps for vit D as it is produced by sunshine on the skin. Us folks relegated to the northern part of the USA with hard winter where we cover up our skin and it is dark for most of the day in the winter are particularly at risk to be low Vit D.
Note that most of the "normal" ranges for the vitamins are EXTREMELY wide. And many if not most people do not feel will until they are well up into the range. Again particularly in B-12.
As far as causes of Hashimoto's. I don't think anyone knows for sure. We only really know what it is and how to treat it.
A certain amount of antibodies can and do exist. But when the ranges of either TPOab or TGab are elevated, it indicates the autoimmune condition of Hashimoto's. BTW you were only tested for TGab. For a positive confirmation of Hashi's you only really need to have EITHER one of the two antibodies to be elevated. But you may also wish to have the other antibody tested as well.
It sounds like your symptoms at this point are not too severe. And your TSH for what its worth (not much) is not terribly out whack. So you may be one of the lucky people who has found out early that they have Hashi's. Many people are severely symptomatic and feeling horrible before they find out. Trust us when we say it is better to start early, know the condition and be able to start with smaller doses of medicine and be able to keep up with the progression and dosage than it is to start at a severe deficit and try to catch up.
Final warning. Do NOT just blistfully take the endo's word blindly. Being and endo many have found is no guarantee that they even know what they are doing with Thyroid issues. Most Endo's these days are focused on diabetes and may not be much if any better than your family Dr when it comes to thyroid issues. A "good" thyroid Dr will test your free T4 and Free T3. ANd will adjust dosage of medication base PRIMARILY upon your symptoms with the blood labs as a guide. So a "good" thyroid Dr can and often times are your local Dr versus the so called "expert" endocrinologist.
many people have to go through several. As in 4 to 10 dr's before they can find a "good Thyroid Dr." Others luck out on the 1st try.
If you get a Dr who ONLY believes in using TSH and won't test for the other thyroid hormones. The best single piece of advice is to find another Dr ASAP. A TSH only dr will almost assuredly keep you feeling sick or less than optimum unless you win the lottery with luck.
Hope this helps.
Thank you. No I'm not on any meds. As for symptoms always tired and have joint pain. I do have an iron deficiency and had a iron infusion 2 months ago I also have Panceritis. I have to see a Endocrinologist in 2 weeks. Do you know what causes it? I don't smoke or drink. I am a stay at home wife/ mother of 3. I'm really worry cause I don't want to be sick and take away from my kids life. This is what my blood work lookd like.
TPOab H 556 IU/ml - ALT 47 H U/L-Red Blood Count Cell Count 5.12 H million/uL - RDW 23.7 H % - THS 1.26
TPOab H 556 IU/ml - ALT 47 H U/L-Red Blood Count Cell Count 5.12 H million/uL - RDW 23.7 H % - THS 1.26
Greeting from Long Beach!
TPO antibodeis can be co-existing wioth normal thyroid function; they are indiucating potential risk for Hashimoto's thyroiditis or disease in progess (indicated by fluctuating TSH and thyroid abnormalities such as goiter)
TPO antibodeis can be co-existing wioth normal thyroid function; they are indiucating potential risk for Hashimoto's thyroiditis or disease in progess (indicated by fluctuating TSH and thyroid abnormalities such as goiter)
Thyroid peroxidase antibodies (TPOab) are one of the markers of autoimmune thyroid disease (Hashimoto's thyroiditis). Your TPOab is high, which indicates you have Hashi's. Hashi's is the most prevalent cause of hypo in the developed world.
Are you on thyroid meds? Do you have thyroid symptoms?
Are you on thyroid meds? Do you have thyroid symptoms?
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