Aa
TPO levels
When I go for thyroid bloodwork, my doctor always checks my TPO's. I don't know of anyone else having this test done. I am hypothyroid, and so is my husband. His doctor has never checked his TPO's.
I've done research on Thyroid Peroxidase, and I can't seem to find anything substantial which would ease my mind. If that level is high, how dangerous is this? My doctor sells thyroid supplements, and he has been trying to get me to take those supplements, such as Medcap 2, and others that I don't remember. I am 70 years old, and I am on levothyroxide 112 mg. My tsh is .09 and my t3 and t4's are okay. What is your view on TPO.
Judy Bard
I've done research on Thyroid Peroxidase, and I can't seem to find anything substantial which would ease my mind. If that level is high, how dangerous is this? My doctor sells thyroid supplements, and he has been trying to get me to take those supplements, such as Medcap 2, and others that I don't remember. I am 70 years old, and I am on levothyroxide 112 mg. My tsh is .09 and my t3 and t4's are okay. What is your view on TPO.
Judy Bard
Thank you for all of your comments - they have enlightened my concerns about high levels of TPO.
Thanks all :)
Thanks all :)
What's important is feeling well.
FT3 and FT4 are a little on the low side, but considering your age (I'm not far behind you!), that doesn't really bother me. Rule of thumb for FT4 is midrange, and you're a little below that. FT3 is also a bit on the low side. Rule of thumb on that is upper half of range.
If you are feeling well and don't have hypo symptoms, I wouldn't change a thing. On the other hand, if you feel pretty good, but still have some mild hypo symptoms, there is room in your labs for a small meds increase.
Hashi's is the most prevalent cause of hypo in the developed world, so many of us have high antibody (TPOab) counts. Raw numbers on antibody counts don't mean much since some people with high antibodies feel better than others with low counts. Antibodies attack the thyroid until it's, in effect, "dead". That can take years or even decades. So, as destruction of the thyroid progresses, we often have to increase meds to compensate for loss of function. Antibodies can't be treated, and once you have them, you have them for life.
FT3 and FT4 are a little on the low side, but considering your age (I'm not far behind you!), that doesn't really bother me. Rule of thumb for FT4 is midrange, and you're a little below that. FT3 is also a bit on the low side. Rule of thumb on that is upper half of range.
If you are feeling well and don't have hypo symptoms, I wouldn't change a thing. On the other hand, if you feel pretty good, but still have some mild hypo symptoms, there is room in your labs for a small meds increase.
Hashi's is the most prevalent cause of hypo in the developed world, so many of us have high antibody (TPOab) counts. Raw numbers on antibody counts don't mean much since some people with high antibodies feel better than others with low counts. Antibodies attack the thyroid until it's, in effect, "dead". That can take years or even decades. So, as destruction of the thyroid progresses, we often have to increase meds to compensate for loss of function. Antibodies can't be treated, and once you have them, you have them for life.
I really feel pretty good for my age.
Here are my results again and the ref. ranges:
T4 - 6.5 range - 5.1 - 14.1
FT3 - 3.0 range 2.0 - 4.4
FT4 - 1.16 range 0.93 - 1.70
TSH - 0.90 range 0.27 - 4.20
Est. GFR - 129.6 range for age 70+ 75-1.73
Thanks for your response.
Here are my results again and the ref. ranges:
T4 - 6.5 range - 5.1 - 14.1
FT3 - 3.0 range 2.0 - 4.4
FT4 - 1.16 range 0.93 - 1.70
TSH - 0.90 range 0.27 - 4.20
Est. GFR - 129.6 range for age 70+ 75-1.73
Thanks for your response.
First the GFR is a number that reflects kidney function, not a TPO ab test. You can find more than you even want to read at this site.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Renal_function
Can't comment further without a reference range. In fact it would be far better if you could post reference ranges for the other tests as well. Test results for a patient will vary from lab to lab, thus the reference ranges can vary a bit also. So it is best to see where you fall within the range.
Your TPO ab results going down only mean that there are less antibodies attacking your thyroid gland currently, which should translate into slower destruction of the gland. However, the ultimate end result is the same, total destruction of the gland, over some extended period. This then eventually requires full daily replacement dosage of thyroid meds at that time.
If you can post the ranges, members will be able to comment further.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Renal_function
Can't comment further without a reference range. In fact it would be far better if you could post reference ranges for the other tests as well. Test results for a patient will vary from lab to lab, thus the reference ranges can vary a bit also. So it is best to see where you fall within the range.
Your TPO ab results going down only mean that there are less antibodies attacking your thyroid gland currently, which should translate into slower destruction of the gland. However, the ultimate end result is the same, total destruction of the gland, over some extended period. This then eventually requires full daily replacement dosage of thyroid meds at that time.
If you can post the ranges, members will be able to comment further.
Please post the reference ranges for your FT3 and FT4. These vary lab to lab, so you have to post ranges with results.
"Your GFR number is an estimate of how much kidney function you have. GFR is the best way to check kidney function. If your GFR number is low, your kidneys are not functioning well. " It seems your GFR is high for your age, which is good. No, this is not the TPOab test.
It really doesn't matter if TPOab numbers go down. TPOab varies wildly, even intraday. Once your thyroid is totally "killed off" by the antibodies, TPOab can go into remission. It's really pretty meaningless.
How do you feel?
"Your GFR number is an estimate of how much kidney function you have. GFR is the best way to check kidney function. If your GFR number is low, your kidneys are not functioning well. " It seems your GFR is high for your age, which is good. No, this is not the TPOab test.
It really doesn't matter if TPOab numbers go down. TPOab varies wildly, even intraday. Once your thyroid is totally "killed off" by the antibodies, TPOab can go into remission. It's really pretty meaningless.
How do you feel?
Here are my last test results taken in October, 2011.
T-4 6.5
FT-3 3.0
FT-4 1.16
TSH 0.90
Estimated GFR 129.6 - Average GFR for my age (70) should be 75 ml
(not sure what this GFR is). Could this be the TPO test? The nurse had told me then, that my AB numbers had gone down from the previous years..
T-4 6.5
FT-3 3.0
FT-4 1.16
TSH 0.90
Estimated GFR 129.6 - Average GFR for my age (70) should be 75 ml
(not sure what this GFR is). Could this be the TPO test? The nurse had told me then, that my AB numbers had gone down from the previous years..
Welcome to our community .. I have been blessed to have my labs come back virtually at 0 .. however of course, being a member here I have other issues outside of autoimmune but my Dr is very thorough and checks it all.
Keep us posted!
C~
Keep us posted!
C~
If you have been tested and confirmed as having thyroid antibodies, either TPO ab and TG ab, and diagnosed as having Hashimoto's Thyroiditis, there is really no reason to continue testing for those. You either have Hashi's, or you don't. Continuing to test provides no information that is useful in further treatment.
The tests that are most important, and that should be done each time, are for Free T3, and Free T4, which are the biologically active thyroid hormones (not the same as Total T3 and Total T4). FT3 is the most important because it largely regulates metabolism and many other body functions. Scientific studies have also shown that Free T3 correlated best with hypo symptoms, while Free T4 and TSH did not correlate at all.
Giving your doctor the benefit of the doubt, the continued testing for TPO ab is misguided. Otherwise I'd say that he benefits from unneeded testing. Looking at your comments about him pushing his thyroid supplements, I suspect that money may be his prime motivation.
If you will please post your thyroid test results and reference ranges shown on the lab report, members will be able to assess the adequacy of your testing and treatment.
The tests that are most important, and that should be done each time, are for Free T3, and Free T4, which are the biologically active thyroid hormones (not the same as Total T3 and Total T4). FT3 is the most important because it largely regulates metabolism and many other body functions. Scientific studies have also shown that Free T3 correlated best with hypo symptoms, while Free T4 and TSH did not correlate at all.
Giving your doctor the benefit of the doubt, the continued testing for TPO ab is misguided. Otherwise I'd say that he benefits from unneeded testing. Looking at your comments about him pushing his thyroid supplements, I suspect that money may be his prime motivation.
If you will please post your thyroid test results and reference ranges shown on the lab report, members will be able to assess the adequacy of your testing and treatment.
What your doctor is testing is probably TPOab (thyroid peroxidase antibodies). If your level is high, it suggests that the cause of yout hypo is autoimmune thyroid disease (Hashimoto's thyroiditis). Hashi's is the most prevalent cause of hypo in the developed world. Antibody counts are often very high (in the hundreds or thousands)...the numbers look huge, but shouldn't be a cause for concern.
Once you have antibodies, you have them for life, so re-testing is a bit redundant. Has your husband ever had the cause of his hypo diagnosed? I take it you have different doctors???
You're feeling good?
Once you have antibodies, you have them for life, so re-testing is a bit redundant. Has your husband ever had the cause of his hypo diagnosed? I take it you have different doctors???
You're feeling good?
Have an Answer?
You are reading content posted in the Thyroid Disorders Community
We tapped the CDC for information on what you need to know about radiation exposure
Endocrinologist Mark Lupo, MD, answers 10 questions about thyroid disorders and how to treat them
A list of national and international resources and hotlines to help connect you to needed health and medical services.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.
Herpes spreads by oral, vaginal and anal sex.
STIs are the most common cause of genital sores.
