Home Health & Fitness What Does A TPO Test Do And How Do You Interpret The Results?

What Does A TPO Test Do And How Do You Interpret The Results?

by Uneeb Khan
TPO Antibody test

TPO is an enzyme commonly found in the thyroid gland. It stands for Thyroid Peroxidase. It plays an essential role in the production of thyroid hormones. The thyroid gland is located near the throat and has a butterfly-like shape. The hormones produced by your thyroid regulate energy consumption. Furthermore, it maintains your weight, body temperature, muscle strength, and mood.

The immune system makes antibodies to combat foreign substances like viruses and bacteria. Antibodies can attack one’s cells, tissues, or organs mistakenly. An autoimmune response occurs in this situation. An autoimmune thyroid disorder occurs when thyroid antibodies attack healthy thyroid cells. The consequences of these disorders are serious if not treated in time.

A TPO Antibody test aims to detect antibodies against TPO in the blood. When thyroid antibodies are present in your blood, you might have an autoimmune disease like Hashimoto’s or Graves. A person with an autoimmune disorder produces antibodies that mistakenly attack normal tissues. When antibodies attack the thyroid gland, swelling occurs, tenderness is rare, and the thyroid cannot function optimally. TPO antibodies may not be associated with thyroid disease in some people. It may, however, increase the risk of thyroid disorders in the future if TPO antibodies are present.

Symptoms of Hashimoto’s disease

  • Weight gain
  • Irregular menstrual periods
  • Hair loss
  • Fatigue
  • Constipation
  • Low tolerance for cold temperatures
  • Joint pain
  • Depression

Symptoms of Grave’s disease- 

  • Weight loss
  • Bulging of the eyes
  • Anxiety
  • Low tolerance for heat
  • Tremors in the hand
  • Trouble sleeping
  • Swollen thyroid, known as goiter
  • Increased heart rate

What happens during a thyroid antibodies test?

A pathologist will take a blood sample from your vein using a small needle. After the needle is inserted, a small amount of blood will be collected into a test tube or vial. This procedure won’t take more than five minutes. The sample is then sent to the lab for analysis.

How Do You Interpret The Results of a TPO test?

The result of a TPO antibody test can be of two types, either positive or negative. The test measures the amount of antibody per milliliter or liter of blood in “international units. 

The Normal values are as follows

  • A TPO antibody is less than 9 IU/mL.
  • An anti-Tg antibody is less than 4 IU/mL. 
  • TSI is less than 1.75 IU/L.

You can expect to see one of the following results:

  • The results of the test are negative if no thyroid antibodies are found. As a result, your thyroid symptoms are probably not caused by an autoimmune disease.
  • If the result is positive, then there are two possibilities-

-If positive TPO or Tg are found, you may have Hashimoto’s disease.

-If positive TPO and TSH receptors are found, you may have Grave’s disease.

Conclusion

This article has mentioned the details related to a TPO (Thyroid Peroxidase Antibody) test. You may need the TPO antibody test when your doctor suspects you may have Hashimoto’s or Grave’s disease. Observe and note down the above-mentioned symptoms, and if they persist for a longer period, it is advisable to see a medical specialist.

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