High TPO

[betty91]

I am on treatment for hypothyroidism for the past 8 years.It started after my treatment for breast cancer in which I had chemo and radiation.I take thyronorm 125mcg for the past 3 years.My bloodtest yesterday shows TSH 1.01 mIU/L.The TPO reading is >1300.0U/mL.Is it a serious problem.Kindly advise

[goolarra]

No, Hashi's is treatable, but it's not curable.  The resultant hypothyroidism is treated, and you are already being treated.  As I said, don't panic; your very high TPOab level is typical.  Just to give you some perspective, when I was diagnosed, my TPOab was 900+, and my TGab (the other antibody associated with Hashi's) was 3,000+.  

Headaches can be the result of thyroid hormones being off.  

Your endo should order free T3 and free T4.

Good luck with your appointment.  

[betty91]

Hi,
Thanks for your reply.I feel okay.A bit panicky.I have an appointment with the endocrinologist today.The doc might ask for other tests.Is hashimoto's curable? Are recurrent headaches a sign of this condition?

[goolarra]

High TPOab indicates that your hypothyroidism is caused by Hashimoto's thyroiditis.  Hashi's is an autoimmune disease and the most prevalent cause of hypo in the developed world.  Your immune system sees your thyroid as "foreign" tissue and attacks it.  Many of us have Hashi's.  Don't be alarmed at the huge result of TPOab; that's typical.

Is TSH the only test your doctor is running?

How do you feel?  Do you still have hypo symptoms?