Patients of endocrinologists, sooner or later, face blood tests for the content of AT.The abbreviation in the analysis results looks like AT-TPO, the full name of the indicator is antibodies to thyroid peroxidase.
Antibody functions
Thyreperoxidase is an enzyme that catalyzes oxidative processes that bind iodinated tyrosines. In other words, the enzyme is responsible for the formation of T4 and T3 - the main hormones that are produced by the thyroid gland.
Antibodies to thyroid peroxidase are the main antigens of the thyroid gland. In consequence of various disorders, thyroid peroxidase enters the blood, which causes an instantaneous reaction of the body and active production of autoantibodies - AT-TPO.
Causes and effects of
The excess of the antibody norm is usually caused by thyroid damage. In turn, violations are a consequence of viral infection, injury of the gland itself, radioactive irradiation, problems with the regulation of the amount of iodine - its excess or deficiency.
When the body perceives thyreperoxidase, as a foreign compound, rejection begins and the production of antibodies. This leads to the appearance of indications of analysis above the norm.
If antibodies are produced in large quantities, they can lead to the destruction of the gland cells. First of all, the cells that produce T3 and T4 are destroyed. As a result, the levels of hormones are sharply increased in the blood and thyrotoxicosis develops.
When AT-TPO completely dispose of hormones, their level is reduced. But due to the fact that iron hormone can no longer be replaced, the reverse of the primary disease develops - hypothyroidism. The same result is also manifested with a moderate increase in AT-TPO, destruction of the thyroid cells will simply pass more slowly. Hypoteriosis - deficiency of thyroid hormones in the body. Together with this process, the metabolism of the whole organism is reduced.
Risk group
Most often antibodies to thyroid peroxidase are increased in the case of autoimmune diseases. These include thyroiditis and its form - Hashimoto's thyroiditis. In addition, Graves' goiter, as well as inflammatory diseases of the thyroid gland lead to an increase in this indicator in the blood. Postpartum status of a woman can also be accompanied by an increase in the number of antibodies due to the development of thyroiditis.
In some cases, increased production of AT arises as a result of genetic predispositions and is combined with other diseases, for example, arthritis or rheumatism.
When is the antibody determined?
The endocrinologist sends a blood test in case of suspicion of thyroiditis or hypothyroidism, also when the goiter is first identified. If previously there were no such diseases as goitre, heterogeneity of the thyroid gland structure, thyrotoxicosis - it is necessary to pass the analysis for AT.
Symptoms of increasing the level of AT
If the increase in AT to thyroperoxidase is caused by abnormalities in the thyroid gland functioning, the following symptoms are observed in the patients:
- increased sweating, fever,
- arrhythmia, tachycardia,
- lack of concentration of attention and attention,
- high irritability, excitability,
- urge to urinate.
These symptoms characterize not only the endocrine system diseases, but also for a number of other pathologies associated with the work of other body systems, therefore it is necessary to provide the most extensive diagnosis before confidently ascertaining the disease of the gland.
Norms and transcripts
Depending on the method of analysis and the type of test system used by the laboratory, the standards may vary. If the norm in this laboratory differs from the standard, its boundaries are indicated in the form with the results of the analyzes.
The standard is considered to be the range of 0.0-35.0 U / l in people under 50 and 0.0-100.0 U / l - over 50 years. Analysis is often prescribed to pregnant women, as more than half of pregnancies occur with elevated blood levels of AT.Increased AT significantly reduces the number of T4 and T3, so worry about the fact that just two indicators do not meet the standards, it's not worth it. It is not recommended to independently decipher the analysis, it is better to entrust this procedure to a specialist.
What is dangerous?
If antibodies to peroxidase are above normal, you should not panic at once. Such a phenomenon can occur without any violations by the endocrine system and metabolic processes of the body. In some cases, antibodies rise for no apparent reason, even in young people under the age of twenty.
If an overestimated indicator is detected, an additional examination is prescribed to exclude the presence of autoimmune thyroiditis. Additional information is obtained by ultrasound examination of the thyroid itself, analysis to the level of T3 and T4 in the blood and the collection of patient complaints.
If the detected indicator is above the norm, then, most likely, this will remain so throughout life. When excluding diseases associated with a similar symptom, no measures to change the level of antibodies should be taken. This is due to the fact that hypothyroidism, caused by excess AT, is cured quite effectively and cheaply. But attempts to regulate the immune system of the body are expensive, have many side effects and almost never give the maximum result.
Conclusion
Antibodies to peroxidase are protective beacons in the body. If the indicator in the analysis is above the norm, you should not ascribe yourself to serious endocrine diseases. Their manifestation would have been noticed much earlier, even before the analysis was given, as violations in the hormonal system are invariably reflected in appearance, condition and mood. In many cases, these indicators do not have serious causes, and their consequences are easily cured.
