TPO Antibodies (Thyroid Peroxidase) Test: What It Measures and Why It Matters
TPO antibodies are made when the immune system mistakenly targets the thyroid. They’re the key marker for autoimmune thyroid disease.
What the TPO antibodies test measures
Antibodies against thyroid peroxidase, an enzyme your thyroid uses to make hormone
Why we check it at Serene
High TPO antibodies are a sign of Hashimoto’s disease, the most common cause of an underactive thyroid, and they can show up before thyroid hormone levels change. Knowing this early helps your physician watch your thyroid more closely.
At Serene Med Spa in Barboursville, West Virginia, every hormone and wellness plan starts with Labcorp lab work reviewed by a board-certified physician.
What your results can mean
Higher than normal
High TPO antibodies suggest autoimmune thyroid disease, most often Hashimoto’s. The higher the level, the more likely an autoimmune thyroid condition.
Lower than normal
A negative or low result makes autoimmune thyroid disease less likely, though it doesn’t rule out every thyroid problem.
Normal ranges vary by lab, age and sex. Your physician reads every result together with your symptoms, history and other tests.
How to prepare
No fasting is needed. If you take biotin (vitamin B7) or a hair, skin and nail supplement, tell us first. The FDA warns that high-dose biotin can interfere with some lab tests, including hormone and thyroid tests.
Not always. If your thyroid hormone levels are normal, your physician may simply monitor them more closely.
Antibody status doesn’t usually change quickly, so it’s most useful as a one-time or occasional check.
Yes. It’s the most common cause of hypothyroidism and is more common in women.
Have questions about your labs?
Book a hormone and wellness consultation at Serene Med Spa in Barboursville, WV. We’ll review your symptoms, order the right panel and walk you through every result.
Sources: MedlinePlus: Thyroid Antibodies. This page is for general education and is not medical advice. Tests are ordered only after a consultation with a licensed provider.
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