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Test results are back, elevated TPO levels! Wt? What is TPO? and why are they elevated?
By
Auntlello1
June 20, 2011 - 11:03am
So, as you start your journey into thyroid disease, and learn about more than just the THS test, you may start to better understand your thyroid disease. Like me, I have no records of anyone (at least lately) testing my TPO levels. SO I went ahead and demanded it, (because I feel yucky) and guess what? Normal range is 0-34, and I am at 75! So, what is TPO anyway you ask? Well, let’s do a little research and find out!
TPO stands for Thyroid Peroxidase Antibodies or Antithyroid Peroxidase Antibodies. That alone should tell me something, anything with the word "antibodies" or Antithyroid doesn't sound friendly :) So what are they?
According to medicinenet.com, TPO or thyroid peroxidase is "an enzyme made in the thyroid gland that is important in the production of thyroid hormone. TPO is found in thyroid follicle cells where it converts the thyroid hormone T4 to T3." So, the test reflects the level of an antibody that is directed against thyroid peroxidase (TPO). What does this mean for your health?
Quite frankly, I don't know yet! From what I have read, there are many people out there that have TPO numbers in the hundreds! Yet, there is not much research out there that explains exactly what happens (ie, how you feel) when they are elevated, if they will always stay elevated, and if anything can be done to bring them down. So far I have seen mention of Selenium helping with elevated TPO antibodies, but how and why is still out. So, do you know if you have elevated TPO antibodies? Many doctors will not test for it more than once, but I want to know why not, and what it all means. Let's find this out together! If you have any suggestions, articles to suggest, or just plain opinions on it, let us know!
We are here to learn from each other, so let's do it :)
To Total Health!
Auntlello1
By
imsdac
July 16, 2011 - 7:13am
Well I finally managed to get a copy of my results that had my TPO on it and I was <6 so does that mean that I for sure don't have Hashi's? I read somewhere on the STTM website that anything over 0 means you have Hashi's. Is that true?
July 16, 2011 - 7:13amThis Comment
By
Auntlello1
July 11, 2011 - 10:41am
What I have learned so far, as there is not much research on the affects of TPO antibodies. . .
http://thyroid.about.com/library/news/blselenium.htm
WIth my sister now having her TPO levels above 800, at least she has decided to start listening to me and the doctors and take control of her life once again. I realize for some patients who are suffering, you may not have the energy to make changes, let alone work with the doctors to feel better, but when it comes to being a mommy and being active in life again, I think it becomes rather important! :
I will post anything new I can find on TPO antibodies, just know that if you are suffering from Hashimoto's, or Graves Disease, you need to start treating it not only as a thyroid disease, but as an autoimmune disease as well.
Best Regards!
Auntlello1
Here is a snipit from www.thyroid.about.com. . .
Thyroid Peroxidase (TPO) Antibodies (TPOAb) / Antithyroid Peroxidase Antibodies
Thyroid Peroxidase (TPO) antibodies, are also known as Antithyroid Peroxidase Antibodies. (In the past, these antibodies were referred to as Antithyroid Microsomal Antibodies or Antimicrosomal Antibodies). These antibodies work against thyroid peroxidase, an enzyme that plays a part in the T4-to-T3 conversion and synthesis process. TPO antibodies can be evidence of tissue destruction, such as Hashimoto's disease, less commonly, in other forms of thyroiditis such as post-partum thyroiditis.
It’s estimated that TPO antibodies are detectable in approximately 95 percent of patients with Hashimoto's thyroiditis, and 50 to 85 percent of Graves’ disease patients. The concentrations of antibodies found in patients with Graves' disease are usually lower than in patients with Hashimoto's disease.
So, you could simply be the 5%, or we may need to start looking into any Graves' Disease symptoms you may have had in the past couple of years.
It's funny, you can find actual medical studies that show that xx test can be negative in up to so many percent of people with the disease, yet some doctors will still totally rule it out if that one test isn't postive. Way to be closed minded!
Just keep your chin up imsdac, we will figure you out yet!
Take Care, Auntlello1
July 17, 2011 - 10:48pmThis Comment