Positive anti-TPO titres are not unusual in the ‘normal’ population. Their presence in the context of thyroid disease only assists in indicating that the pathogenesis is probably autoimmune. As thyroid autoimmunity is a chronic condition, once diagnosed there is rarely a need to re-measure anti-TPO titres. In euthyroid pregnant patients deemed at high risk of developing thyroid disease, anti-TPO antibodies may influence the frequency of surveillance for hypothyroidism during the pregnancy. It is uncommon that measurement of anti-TPO antibodies influences patient management.

Conditions: Autoimmune Thyroid Disease, Hypothyroidism, Hyperthyroidism

Diagnostic Tests: Anti-Thyroid Peroxidase Antibodies (anti TPO)