TPO blood test is an essential diagnostic test that evaluates your thyroid function. It measures the level of thyroid peroxidase antibodies (TPO antibodies) in your blood, which is an indicator of autoimmune thyroid disease. TPO antibodies attack healthy thyroid cells, causing inflammation and damage to the thyroid and leading to conditions like Hashimoto’s thyroiditis and Graves’ disease. A TPO blood test helps detect these conditions early, even before symptoms appear, allowing for prompt treatment to prevent further damage to the thyroid gland.
Why Should You Get a TPO Blood Test?
A TPO blood test is often ordered as part of a thyroid panel to evaluate thyroid function and diagnose thyroid disorders. Your doctor may suspect an autoimmune thyroid disorder if you have symptoms like fatigue, weight gain, hair loss, dry skin, joint pain, and depression. You may also need a TPO blood test if you have a family history of autoimmune disorders or have other autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis or lupus.
A TPO blood test can also be used to monitor autoimmune thyroid disease and assess the effectiveness of treatment. If you have Hashimoto’s thyroiditis or Graves’ disease, your TPO antibody levels can fluctuate, and monitoring them can help determine if your treatment is working as expected.
How is a TPO Blood Test Performed?
A TPO blood test is a simple blood draw that can be performed at your doctor’s office or a diagnostic laboratory. There is no special preparation required for the test, and it can be done at any time of the day. However, some medications like corticosteroids, birth control pills, and hormone replacement therapy can affect the results of the test, so inform your doctor if you are taking any of these medications.
The test involves drawing a small amount of blood from a vein in your arm. The blood sample is then sent to a laboratory for analysis. The results of the test usually take a few days to come back, and your doctor will discuss the findings with you.
What Do the Results of a TPO Blood Test Mean?
The TPO blood test measures the amount of TPO antibodies in your blood. Normally, there should be fewer than 35 IU/mL of TPO antibodies in your blood. Higher levels of TPO antibodies indicate an autoimmune thyroid disorder, and the severity of the disorder is generally proportional to the level of TPO antibodies present.
If your TPO antibody levels are high, your doctor may order additional tests like thyroid function tests, thyroid ultrasound, or a biopsy of your thyroid gland to determine the underlying cause of your symptoms.
What Can Cause High TPO Antibody Levels?
High TPO antibody levels are associated with autoimmune thyroid diseases like Hashimoto’s thyroiditis and Graves’ disease. However, other factors can also cause elevated TPO antibody levels, including:
- Pregnancy: TPO antibody levels can increase during pregnancy, even in women without underlying thyroid disorders.
- Smoking: smoking has been associated with increased TPO antibody levels, possibly due to the oxidative stress caused by smoking.
- Environmental toxins: exposure to toxic chemicals like mercury, lead, and perchlorates can increase TPO antibody levels and affect thyroid function.
How Can You Lower Your TPO Antibody Levels?
If you have high TPO antibody levels, your doctor may recommend medications like levothyroxine or antithyroid drugs to treat your condition. These drugs can help regulate your thyroid function and reduce inflammation and damage to your thyroid gland.
You can also take steps to lower your TPO antibody levels naturally. These include:
- Eating a balanced diet rich in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory foods like fruits, vegetables, nuts, and seeds.
- Avoiding environmental toxins and pollutants as much as possible.
- Taking supplements like selenium, vitamin D, and omega-3 fatty acids, which have been shown to reduce inflammation and improve thyroid function.
Conclusion
A TPO blood test is a valuable diagnostic tool for evaluating thyroid function and detecting autoimmune thyroid disorders. Early diagnosis and treatment of these conditions can help prevent further damage to the thyroid gland and improve your overall health and well-being. If you have symptoms of a thyroid disorder, talk to your doctor about getting a TPO blood test.
Common Questions About TPO Blood Test
1. Do I need to fast before a TPO blood test?
No, there is no need to fast before a TPO blood test.
2. Can I take my medication before a TPO blood test?
It depends on the medication. Some medications like corticosteroids, birth control pills, and hormone replacement therapy can affect the results of the test, so inform your doctor if you are taking any of these medications.
3. Is a TPO blood test painful?
No, a TPO blood test is a simple blood draw that is usually quick and painless.
4. Can a TPO blood test diagnose thyroid cancer?
No, a TPO blood test cannot diagnose thyroid cancer. It is used to evaluate thyroid function and detect autoimmune thyroid disorders.
5. Can a TPO blood test be used to monitor treatment for Hashimoto’s thyroiditis?
Yes, a TPO blood test can be used to monitor autoimmune thyroid disease and assess the effectiveness of treatment for Hashimoto’s thyroiditis or Graves’ disease.
6. What is a normal range for TPO antibody levels?
The normal range for TPO antibody levels is generally fewer than 35 IU/mL, although the range can vary depending on the laboratory performing the test.
7. Can high TPO antibody levels affect pregnancy?
Yes, high TPO antibody levels during pregnancy have been associated with an increased risk of miscarriage, preterm delivery, and other complications.
8. Is it possible to have an autoimmune thyroid disorder with normal TPO antibody levels?
Yes, it is possible to have an autoimmune thyroid disorder even with normal TPO antibody levels. Your doctor may order additional tests like thyroid function tests or a biopsy of your thyroid gland to determine the underlying cause of your symptoms.
References
- Mayo Clinic Staff. (2021, January 23). Thyroid peroxidase test. Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/thyroid-peroxidase-test/about/pac-20384723.
- National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. (2020, September). Hashimoto’s Disease. https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/endocrine-diseases/hashimotos-disease.
- Thyroid Foundation of Canada. (2020, April). Thyroid function tests. https://thyroid.ca/thyroid-function-tests/.
- Wu, Q., Rayman, M. P., Lv, H., Schomburg, L., Cui, B., Gao, C., … Zhang, Z. (2015). Low Population Selenium Status Is Associated With Increased Prevalence of Thyroid Disease. The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, 100(11), 4037–4047. https://doi.org/10.1210/jc.2015-2222.