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Home›Anti-TPO (Anti Thyroperoxidase Antibody)
Test Detail
Understanding the Test
Interpreting Results
FAQ's
Other Tests
Content created by
Written by
Dr. Shreya Gupta
BDS, MDS - Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology
Reviewed by
Dr. Ashish Ranjan
MBBS, MD (Pharmacology)
Want to know more?
Read our Editorial Policy

Anti-TPO (Anti Thyroperoxidase Antibody)

Also known as Anti Microsomal Antibody (AMA)
You need to provide
Blood
This test is for
Male, Female
Test Preparation
  1. No special preparation required

Understanding Anti-TPO (Anti Thyroperoxidase Antibody)

What is Anti-TPO (Anti Thyroperoxidase Antibody)?

Thyroid peroxidase (TPO)antibody test measures anti thyroperoxidase antibodies in your blood. The body produces these antibodies when cells in your thyroid become damaged. These antibodies can be a sign of autoimmune diseases that cause the thyroid to make too much or little thyroid hormone.

Having antithyroid antibodies in your blood doesn’t automatically mean you have a thyroid disease. However, you may be at an increased risk for thyroid disease in the future. If your test is positive, it means that antibodies are present in your blood which could indicate that there is an autoimmune condition affecting your thyroid gland.

What is Anti-TPO (Anti Thyroperoxidase Antibody) used for?

  • To diagnose autoimmune disorders of thyroid like Hashimoto's thyroiditis (swelling of thyroid gland resulting in decreased thyroid function), Grave's disease (overactive thyroid gland resulting in overproduction of thyroid hormones) or idiopathic myxedema (associated with low levels of thyroid hormones)

  • To differentiate between autoimmune disorders of thyroid from non-autoimmune disorders such as goiter or hypothyroidism.

  • To diagnose chronic thyroiditis

  • To diagnose subclinical hypothyroidism

 

Interpreting Anti-TPO (Anti Thyroperoxidase Antibody) results

Interpretations

Positive tests may indicate the following:

  • Hashimoto’s thyroiditis
  • Grave’s disease
  • Idiopathic Myxedema
  • Postpartum thyroiditis
  • Nontoxic Nodular Goiter
  • Thyroid cancer





Answers to Patient Concerns & Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Anti-TPO (Anti Thyroperoxidase Antibody)

Frequently Asked Questions about Anti-TPO (Anti Thyroperoxidase Antibody)

Q. What is Hypothyroidism?

Hypothyroidism, also called underactive thyroid or low thyroid is a condition in which the thyroid gland does not produce enough thyroid hormones. It can be commonly caused by intake of low iodine diet or Hashimoto's thyroiditis (an autoimmune disease). Less common causes include previous treatment with radioactive iodine, injury to the pituitary gland which secretes TSH, intake of certain medicines, previous thyroid surgery, or a lack of a functioning thyroid gland at birth.

Q. Is there any risk associated with this test?

There is no risk associated with the test. However, since this test involves a needle prick to withdraw the blood sample, in very rare cases, a patient may experience increased bleeding, hematoma formation (blood collection under the skin), bruising or infection at the site of needle prick.

Q. Is there any special preparation required for the test?

No, there is no special preparation required for the test.

Q. What is Thyroid Peroxidase?

It is an enzyme which is produced by the thyroid gland and it plays an important role in the production of thyroid hormones. Sometimes, antibodies are formed against this enzyme for which Anti TPO antibody test is required.

Q. What is an autoimmune disorder?

An autoimmune disorder is a condition when your body’s immune system starts to attack parts of the body such as joints or skin mistaking it for foreign bodies. Autoantibodies start to release in the body which attacks the healthy cells.

Q. What are the risk factors for autoimmune disorders?

The risk factor includes family history, obesity, smoking, blood pressure medications, cholesterol lowering medications and antibiotics.

Q. What is Hashimoto’s thyroiditis?

It is an autoimmune disease where the body’s immune system attacks the thyroid gland. This condition leads to hypothyroidism in which the thyroid gland starts to produce fewer thyroid hormones. A person having a family history of Hashimoto’s thyroiditis or taking too much iodine or getting exposed to radiation fall under the risk of having Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. The symptoms include weight gain, fatigue, paleness or puffiness of the face, joint and muscle pain, constipation, joint and muscle pain, thinning or loss of hair, slowed heart rate, depression, irregular or heavy menstrual periods.

Q. What is subclinical hypothyroidism?

It is an early form of hypothyroidism in which sufficient thyroid hormones are not produced by the thyroid gland. It can be seen in persons who have a family history of autoimmune disorders of thyroid or injury to thyroid or use of radioactive iodine therapy or with the use of medications containing iodine or lithium. The symptoms include fatigue, depression, constipation, weight gain, goiter, hair loss, intolerance to cold.

Q. What additional tests can be performed in case the Anti TPO test results are not in the normal range?

If the Anti TPO test results are not in the normal range, your doctor may ask for the following tests: Thyroid Hormone Binding Globulin (TBG) Thyroid profile
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