THYROID PEROXIDASE ANTIBODIES TEST (TPO)

Description

WHAT IS A THYROID PEROXIDASE ANTIBODIES TEST FOR?

The Thyroid Peroxidase Antibodies Test detects and identifies antibodies which can indicate an autoimmune thyroid disease.

AM I REQUIRED TO FAST FOR THIS LAB TEST?

No.

WHAT IS THE PRICE OF A THYROID PEROXIDASE ANTIBODIES (TPO) LAB TEST?

$82.00

 *Price may vary by location – contact your local ANY LAB TEST NOW®

DESCRIPTION:

Approximately 50 million Americans suffer from an autoimmune disease including thyroid autoimmune disorders.  An autoimmune disorder of the thyroid causes the body to view the thyroid gland as a threat or foreign body and to produce antibodies which attack the thyroid.  The two most common autoimmune thyroid disorders are Hashimoto’s thyroiditis and Grave’s Disease.

Hashimoto’s thyroiditis is characterized by periods of hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid) and bouts of hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid).  Grave’s Disease causes hyperthyroidism.  Symptoms of hypothyroidism include weight gain, fatigue, dry skin, hair loss, intolerance to cold and constipation.  Hyperthyroidism causes irregular or racing heartbeat, weight loss, protruding eyes, anxiety, tremors and difficulty sleeping.  Long term effects of not treating these disorders can lead to severe health problems and treatment may require lifelong medication to replace the thyroid hormone and/or radiation or surgery to eliminate excess thyroid hormone.

WHY DO I NEED A TPO LAB TEST?

Are you experiencing unusual symptoms such as unexplained weight gain or loss, fatigue, rapid heartbeat, anxiety or difficulty sleeping?

Your symptoms may be caused by an autoimmune thyroid disease.  Although Hashimoto’s thyroiditis or Grave’s Disease may or may not be accompanied by nodules, these disorders are not malignant, but will need immediate treatment to relieve symptoms and to treat the disorders long-term.  The prevalence of thyroid antibodies increases with age and affect more women than men, as high as 33% of women 70 or older.

The Thyroid Peroxidase Antibodies test can detect whether antibodies are present and which type (Hashimoto’s or Grave’s) they are.  The test can also be used to rule out an autoimmune thyroid disorder and distinguish between an autoimmune or other type of thyroid dysfunction.   The test may also be used to identify underlying cause of goiter (an enlarged thyroid gland) and unexplained high or low thyroid hormone levels.

TEST DETAILS:

Normal Results: A negative test result is normal indicating that there are no thyroid peroxidase antibodies present in the blood.

Mildly High Results: Mildly high results may indicate one of several possible disorders or diseases including cancer, pernicious anemia, diabetes type 1, or rheumatoid arthritis.

Significantly High Results: Significantly high results most frequently indicate a thyroid autoimmune disorder including Hashimoto’s thyroiditis or Grave’s Disease.

WHAT TYPE OF PHYSICIAN SHOULD I SEE?

You should see your primary care physician or an endocrinologist.