AT-TPO: Hormone Rate In Women, Reasons For The Increase

2024 Author: Rachel Wainwright | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-01-15 19:51

Tests for thyroid hormones: AT-TPO

The content of the article:

Conditions in which anti-TPO is produced
Clinical signs
Diagnostics
1. Indications for research
2. The need for analysis in pregnant women and in the postpartum period
3. Preparation for research
Rates of antibodies to thyroid peroxidase
AT-TPO increased: what to do?
1. Drug treatment
2. Diet therapy
3. Preventive measures
Video

"Hormone AT-TPO" is an erroneous name, which, however, can often be found when discussing the tests prescribed to determine the pathologies of the thyroid gland. In fact, AT-TPO is an abbreviation that stands for “antibodies to thyroid peroxidase, or anti-TPO. This is the name of auto-aggressive antibodies directed against thyroid peroxidase, an enzyme that is expressed predominantly in the thyroid gland and plays a key role in the formation of the hormones thyroxine (T ₄) and triiodothyronine (T ₃), which are responsible for various metabolic processes in the human body.

The level of antibodies to thyroid peroxidase is an indicator reflecting the secretory function of the thyroid gland

When the immune system malfunctions, peroxidase can be perceived by the body as a foreign substance (antigen), which means that antibodies are produced against it (an autoimmune reaction of the body), with which the immune system tries to destroy it. As a result, the synthesis of thyroid hormones is disrupted. This can cause the development of diffuse toxic goiter, Hashimoto's thyroiditis and a number of other conditions in which the function of the thyroid gland increases or decreases.

Conditions in which anti-TPO is produced

Primarily, an increase in antibodies to peroxidase is seen as an autoimmune thyroid disorder. An increase in this indicator is observed in about 95% of patients with Hashimoto's thyroiditis and in 85% of patients with diffuse toxic goiter, as well as in 15-20% of cases of non-autoimmune thyroid pathologies (including if the patient has thyroid neoplasms).

However, antibodies to thyroperoxidase are not strictly specific for thyroid diseases; their increase can be observed in rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus and other autoimmune diseases. A large number of antibodies can be detected during irradiation of the head and neck area, chronic renal failure, as well as with a viral infection.

Clinical signs

An increase in anti-TPO and a decrease in it is clinically manifested by a change in the concentration of thyroid hormones in the blood.

Increased thyroid hormone levels	Decreased thyroid hormone levels
Increased body temperature	Decreased body temperature
Bulge eyes	Fear of cold
A sharp decrease in body weight	Weight gain
Increased blood pressure, heart problems	Puffiness
Decreased bone strength, hair loss	Brittle nails, dry skin, hair loss
Mood swings, irritability, insomnia	Depression tendency, weakness, increased fatigue
Disruption of the menstrual cycle	Disruption of the menstrual cycle
Deterioration of cognitive abilities	Deterioration of cognitive abilities

Diagnostics

Indications for research

A blood test for AT-TPO is done in case of thyroid disorders, mainly to exclude or confirm its autoimmune damage, as well as to monitor the effectiveness of the therapy. Usually, this analysis is prescribed in conjunction with the determination of the concentration of hormones TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone), T ₃, T ₄ and some other indicators.

If anti-TPO levels are very high, in addition to the thyroid gland, an examination of the osteoarticular system may be required. For this purpose, an ultrasound, radioisotope study, etc. is prescribed.

Indications for the determination of antibodies to thyroid peroxidase are:

hyperthyroidism;
hypothyroidism;
Hashimoto's thyroiditis (autoimmune thyroiditis);
diffuse toxic goiter (Graves disease, Basedow's disease);
disorders of the thyroid gland after childbirth, surgery, trauma;
diabetes;
anemia;
exophthalmos;
swelling of the lower extremities.

The need for analysis in pregnant women and in the postpartum period

It may be necessary to determine AT-TPO during a comprehensive examination of pregnant women. The development of hypothyroidism in a woman during childbearing threatens the occurrence of fetal developmental pathologies, complications of the course of pregnancy, negative consequences for the woman's health, so this condition must either be excluded or corrected. The analysis is also carried out with spontaneous abortion in the first trimester. Approximately 10% of women develop thyroiditis during the postpartum period. Suspicion of him is also a reason for the appointment of a study.

Preparation for research

You need to properly prepare for the analysis for antibodies to thyroperoxidase:

A month before the expected donation of blood, after consulting a doctor, the use of hormonal drugs (including oral contraceptives) should be excluded.
3 days before the analysis, stop using medicines that contain iodine (only after discussion with your doctor), and also do not drink alcohol.
The day before taking blood, it is necessary to exclude intense physical activity, smoking, limit stressful situations that can increase the value of the determined indicator.
Get a good night's sleep before exploring.
Blood sampling should be done in the morning on an empty stomach, after the last meal, at least 8 hours should pass.

Rates of antibodies to thyroid peroxidase

The norm of AT-TPO in women and men is the same and is <35 U / ml.

For women, taking into account the physiological characteristics of the body, a slightly higher content of antibodies in the blood is permissible, especially in the age group over 50.

When determining the concentration of antibodies to thyroid peroxidase, it is necessary to take into account the presence of concomitant diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, which can affect the indicators.

Different laboratories can use different research methods, standards and units of measurement. The doctor should decipher the result of the analysis.

The results of the analysis must be provided to the doctor, you should not decipher them yourself

AT-TPO increased: what to do?

The treatment regimen with an increased level of AT-TPO is selected by the doctor depending on the cause of the deviation.

Drug treatment

With insufficient production of thyroid hormones, patients are prescribed hormone replacement therapy.
With increased values of hormonal parameters, on the contrary, thyreostatic drugs that suppress the secretory activity of the thyroid gland.
To reduce the activity of the autoimmune process, the patient is prescribed antihistamines, glucocorticosteroids.
When inflammation may be used non-steroidal antiinflammatory drugs.
Symptomatic therapy is carried out with the help of antihypertensive drugs, beta-blockers, etc.

Diet therapy

Patients with hyperthyroidism are shown to follow a diet, while strong tea and coffee, spicy, fried foods should be excluded from the diet. The menu includes more foods rich in vitamins and minerals (vegetables, fruits, lactic acid products).

Preventive measures

In order to prevent the development of abnormalities associated with thyroid function, it is recommended:

rejection of bad habits;
balanced diet;
compliance with an adequate mode of work and rest, a full night's sleep;
avoidance of physical and mental overload;
for people at risk - regular preventive medical examinations (at least once a year).