Any disruption of the thyroid gland, as well as some autoimmune cross-diseases in the body, can provoke the formation of antibodies to thyroid peroxidase. Today, as a rule, the analysis for the determination of these antibodies is often given by patients suffering from hyper- or hypothyroidism of the thyroid gland and the pathologies of other organs at the onset of development.
What is the antibodies to thyreperoxidase
The human body is able to produce antibodies in response to intrusion of foreign substances, i.e.they can recognize and eliminate pathogens. The increased sensitivity of protein compounds helps them respond to small changes and it can happen that, when certain diseases develop, they begin to consider the body's own cells to be aggressive. For example, antibodies to microsomal thyreperoxidase help to detect pathologies of thyroid and other organs.
Thyreperoxidase is an enzyme produced by the thyroid gland that is involved in the replication of hormones of thyroxin and triiodothyronine. The enzyme is necessary for the formation of iodine, in addition, it regulates metabolism. Antibodies to thyreperoxidase are autoantibodies or specific immunoglobulins that are formed when human immunity perceives thyroid cells as a foreign substance.
If proteins are significantly increased, then this indicates the autoimmune diseases of the thyroid gland.When it is necessary to measure antibodies
Special proteins or antibodies act according to strict rules, and even small deviations in the functioning of the body can cause their aggression. Typically, tests for the measurement of proteins for thyroid peroxidase may be prescribed by a specialist if the patient has previously been diagnosed with an autoimmune disease. It is necessary to conduct a blood test for antibodies to TPO:
- for pregnant women;
- for patients with hypothyroidism and thyrotoxicosis;
- for patients with clinical symptoms( weakness, sweating);
- if ultrasound revealed an increase in thyroid gland;
- to patients taking Interferon or other medications that are capable of provoking an increase in protein compounds.
Autoantibodies to thyroid peroxidase are also detected in newborn infants. Physicians are especially worried about babies whose mothers:
- suffer from hyperthyroidism;
- have an anti-TPO hormone higher than normal;
- suffer from a disease of the Basid.
Assay for antibodies to thyreperoxidase
Timely diagnosis can help in early detection of gland failure in the thyroid gland or in other organs. Biochemical blood test on Anti-TPO is shown to people who care about health, and to patients with signs of hypothyroidism. It should be appointed by the attending physician if any changes in the thyroid gland activity are detected on ultrasound. With a positive analysis of a sick person, only observation is established. After receiving the results, the doctor must necessarily conduct a conversation with the patient.a slight excess of antibodies can be:
- during the resumption of inflammatory diseases;
- with emotional loads;
- after thyroid surgery;
- during the physiotherapeutic neck procedures;
- after the flu and ARI.
Antibody norm
The blood test determines the content of antibodies to microsomal thyreperoxidase. The norm in men and women under 50 is less than 34 IU / ml. After fifty in women, the level rises, especially in the menopause period. In addition, the critical stages in the female body can be the period of breastfeeding and pregnancy. Table of the norm of proteins for thyreperoxidase:
| Norm of AT to TPO( IU / ml) | Age |
| less than 100 | After 50 years |
| less than 35 | Up to 50 years |
Antibodies to TPO increased
Thyroid diseases in girls are detected twenty times more often thanin men. The main reasons for the increase in antibodies to TPO are the following:
- viral infections;
- radiation;
- thyroid injury;
- toxins;
- vasculitis;
- pregnancy;
- a large dose of iodine or its acute shortage;
- chronic diseases( tonsillitis, diabetes, sinusitis, anemia);
- heredity.
Antibodies to thyroid peroxidase above the norm provoke:
- sweating;
- weight loss;
- acceleration of the heart rate;
- insomnia;
- anxiety;
- eyedrops;
- fatigue.
What does this mean?
An increase in antibodies to thyroid peroxidase indicates an autoimmune unfolded reaction, in which, besides the inactivation of the enzyme, damage to thyroid cells takes place. Timely detection of antibodies is of great importance for humans, becausethis may mean that the destruction of the thyroid by its own immune cells has already begun. Sometimes the growth of ATP TPO can provoke:
- thyroid cancer;
- pernicious anemia;
- diabetes;
- rheumatoid arthritis;
- other autoimmune diseases.
Antibodies to TPO in some cases exceed normal indices in people without special health problems and symptoms of thyroid pathology. Typically, this group includes women over 45 years. If other tests are normal and the increase in antibodies is small, then treatment is not prescribed. The doctor can only observe the patient's health. Over time, these patients can develop organ dysfunction, but this does not always happen.
Causes of
A slight increase in the upper limit of normal antibodies to TPO is often observed after:
- exacerbation of chronic inflammatory diseases;
- for acute respiratory diseases;
- of psychoemotional stresses;
- injury in the neck.
In certain diseases, the concentration of proteins to thyreperoxidase increases by a factor of tens. This is observed with:
- long-term intake of iodine-containing drugs or glucocorticoids;
- problems with the adrenal glands;
- ailments of autoimmune nature( scleroderma, glomerulonephritis, insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, autoimmune gastritis, systemic lupus erythematosus);
- oncological pathology of the gland;
- autoimmune diseases, provoked by smoking;
- diffuse toxic goiter;
- development of amiodarone-induced hypothyroidism;
- inflammation of the thyroid tissue.
In pregnancy,
If a woman has an increase in thyroid gland during the gestation period, or the doctor has diagnosed an increase in the level of the hormone TSH, an antibody test for TPO is considered mandatory in .The growth of protein compounds during pregnancy can adversely affect a woman's condition and the health of the fetus. This is due to the fact that AT-TPO easily overcome the barrier of the placenta.
During pregnancy, the female body is vulnerable to various infections, which affects the development of the child, so it is necessary to take tests in time. The norm of the hormone TSH in the early term is the figure not exceeding 2 IU / ml. If it increases with ATTPO, then this indicates the appearance of hypothyroidism. If a pregnant woman has a chance of a rhesus-conflict, then she will need to take an antibody test for the entire period.
Treatment for elevated antibodies to TPO
Many patients who have thyroid diseases, if they consult a specialist in a timely manner, live a full life, sincefollow the doctor's recommendations and take medications. Treatment should be given after all tests. Antibody growth therapy involves medication methods. The doctor after the diagnosis can prescribe the following hormonal remedies:
- Eutyroxine. In small doses, the drug helps synthesize proteins and enhances the absorption of calcium.
- Levothyroxine. The drug is contraindicated in case of adrenal insufficiency, heart attack, thyroid gland hyperfunction.
- Glucocorticoids. Used when the patient is diagnosed with an autoimmune thyroiditis.
- L-thyroxine. Recommended for pregnant women.
Antibodies to thyroid peroxidase decreased
If antibodies to thyroid peroxidase decrease in the body, then the following symptoms appear, which should not be ignored:
- cardiac function is disrupted;
- drowsiness and apathy;
- sleep disturbance;
- severe fatigue;
- is depressed;
- symptoms of anemia appear;
- increase in body weight;
- disrupted the digestive system( stool retardation, flatulence).
If several symptoms are found, you should immediately go to the doctor, take all the tests, go through ultrasound to identify the disease at the initial level. In order for all hormonal parameters to be normal, it is important to visit the doctor on time for diagnosis and routine examinations. Early detection of abnormalities is a guarantee of health and longevity.