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What Does This Thyroid Peroxidase Antibody Test Value Indicate?

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Posted on Wed, 24 Jun 2015
Question: All thyroid tests came back normal except thyroid peroxidase ab was 419 I read that could mean cancer.
Would that be correct? I do have a follow up appointment but would like your thoughts before I go.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Shehzad Topiwala (15 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
No

Detailed Answer:
Thyroid peroxidase antibody positivity does not imply cancer. It indicates the likelihood of 'Chronic Auto immune (Hashimoto's) thyroiditis'. This refers to antibodies present in the blood that tend to make the thyroid cells under active.

So if your other thyroid tests such as TSH and Free T4 are normal at the moment it would be prudent to check them periodically to ensure you do not progress to 'hypothyroidism'
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Shehzad Topiwala (23 minutes later)
I READ THYROID PEROXIDASE AB HAS A LOW, MODERATE, AND HIGH LEVEL.
WHERE DOES MODERATE STOP AND HIGH STEP IN? MODERATE SAID CANCER.
HIGH SAID HASHIMOTO'S. I AM CONFUSED.
I ALSO WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IS IN FACT IN IS HASHIMOTO'S WHAT STEPS DO I TAKE TO STOP OR CURE THIS DISEASE FOR I AM VERY YOUNG AND DO NOT WANT SOMETHING TO STOP MY WONDERFUL LIFE I HAVE. I REALLY DO THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP BUT I AM A LITTLE SCARED. NEVER REALLY HAD ANYTHING COME BACK BAD ON MY HEALTH.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Shehzad Topiwala (9 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Follow up

Detailed Answer:
1 To the best of my knowledge as a thyroid expert, there is no major significance of grading the degree of TPO antibodies as low / moderate or high.

So kindly do not worry

2 Regarding what can be done about Hashimoto's ie such as preventing it from progressing and affecting your thyroid, I am sorry to inform you that currently there is nothing anyone can do to modify the course of this condition.

The only thing you can do is to undergo regular (for example annual) blood tests for TSH (and perhaps Free T4) to keep an eye on the thyroid function for the rest of your life.

This is because there is no way to predict IF AND WHEN these TPO antibodies will affect your thyroid and make it under-active
Note: For more information on hormonal imbalance symptoms or unmanaged diabetes with other comorbid conditions, get back to us & Consult with an Endocrinologist. Click here to book an appointment.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Shehzad Topiwala

Endocrinologist

Practicing since :2001

Answered : 1663 Questions

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What Does This Thyroid Peroxidase Antibody Test Value Indicate?

Brief Answer: No Detailed Answer: Thyroid peroxidase antibody positivity does not imply cancer. It indicates the likelihood of 'Chronic Auto immune (Hashimoto's) thyroiditis'. This refers to antibodies present in the blood that tend to make the thyroid cells under active. So if your other thyroid tests such as TSH and Free T4 are normal at the moment it would be prudent to check them periodically to ensure you do not progress to 'hypothyroidism'