Thyroid Antibodies, Serum

Thyroid autoantibodies are antibodies that develop when a person's immune system mistakenly targets components of the thyroid gland or thyroid proteins, leading to chronic inflammation of the thyroid (thyroiditis), tissue damage and/or disruption of thyroid function causing Autoimmune Thyroid Disease.

The Thyroid Antibodies serum test measures the levels of Anti-Thyroid Peroxidase (TPO) Antibodies and Anti-Thyroglobulin (Tg) Antibodies

Sometimes the cause of thyroid disease are related to autoimmune conditions. Measuring thyroid antibodies can help understand the exact cause of thyroid disease.

The thyroid gland located in the neck releases hormones that control the metabolism. The thyroid gland also produces a protein called thyroglobulin which is used to make the active thyroid hormones. Certain autoimmune conditions lead to disruption in production of thyroglobulin. Measuring thyroglobulin antibodies may give an indication of an autoimmune disorder.

Similarly, thyroid peroxidase is an enzyme that is found in the thyroid gland. Thyroid peroxidase plays an important role in production of thyroid hormones.

If your doctor suspects that your thyroid condition is related to an auto-immune disorder, he will order the Thyroid Antibodies Test.

Thyroid antibodies test help to -

• Diagnose and monitor autoimmune thyroid diseases
• Distinguish autoimmune thyroid diseases from other forms of thyroid disease
• To help guide treatment decisions

These antibodies are usually seen in Hashimoto’s thyroiditis (an autoimmune condition in which the thyroid doesn't make enough thyroid hormones - hypothyroidism) but may be seen in Graves’ disease (an autoimmune condition in which the thyroid makes too much of certain thyroid hormones - hyperthyroidism).

 

Your Doctor will advise this test if you have any of the following complications:

You Complications of Hashimoto's disease -

Goiter, poor heart function, enlarged heart, irregular heartbeat, high levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol - the "bad" cholesterol (risk factor for cardiovascular disease and heart failure), depression or other mental health disorders, reduced sexual desire, inability to ovulate, irregular and excessive menstrual bleeding,  erectile dysfunction, lowered sperm count, risk of a miscarriage, preterm birth, autism or other developmental disorders.

Complications of Graves’ disease -

Goiter, pregnancy associated risks include miscarriage, preterm birth, fetal thyroid dysfunction, poor fetal growth, maternal heart failure and preeclampsia. Other complications include heart rhythm disorders, changes in the structure and function of the heart muscles, heart failure, brittle bones (osteoporosis), thyrotoxic crisis leading to sudden effects including fever, sweating, vomiting, diarrhea, delirium, severe weakness, seizures, irregular heartbeat, yellow skin and eyes (jaundice), severe low blood pressure and coma. Thyroid storm requires immediate emergency care.

Requirement: Do not take multivitamins or dietary supplements containing Biotin or           Vitamin B7 that are commonly found in hair, skin and nail supplements and multivitamins for 8-12 hrs before the test.

 

Reference values for Thyroid Antibodies test  

Anti TPO    -    0 - 34 IU/ml

Anti Tg       -    < 155 IU/ml

Interpretation of Thyroid Antibodies test values

 

ANTI-THYROID PEROXIDASE ANTIBODIES

Elevated TSH with presence of thyroid peroxidase antibodies is the gold standard for diagnosis of Chronic Autoimmune (Hashimoto’s) Thyroiditis.

ANTI-THYROGLOBULIN ANTIBODIES

Autoantibodies to Thyroglobulin (Tg) are seen in patients with thyroid disorders such as Chronic Lymphocytic (Hashimoto's) Thyroiditis, Primary Myxedema, Grave’s disease - hyperthyroiditis, Colloid Goiter & Adenomata.