Antibodies are proteins produced by the body that protect and defend us against infections by binding to viruses and inactivating them. Therefore, raised antibodies could be a sign that the body is fighting off a viral infection and should be investigated further.
Full thyroid panel blood tests are often overlooked and most GP’s and endocrinologists will only test TSH. But if you’re still experiencing symptoms and want to get a complete picture of how your thyroid is functioning it’s best to get a full thyroid panel which includes thyroid antibodies.
Antibody tests can detect the presence of antibodies and help confirm the diagnosis and/or severity of thyroid diseases. But what exactly are these tests and what do they all mean?
The Tests:
Thyroid Peroxidase Antibodies (TPOAb):
Thyroid Peroxidase Antibodies (TPOAb) are a really useful marker. TPOAb’s target thyroid peroxidase (TPO), an enzyme which binds T1 and T2 together to form T3 and T4. Enzymes effectively speed up chemical reactions in the body. Think of TPO as the glue which binds thyroglobulin and iodine together to make thyroid hormones. If you have elevated TPO antibodies this suggests your immune system has been called in to action and is having to defend your thyroid and destroy whatever is trying to attack it.
The presence of TPOAb’s can lead to inflammation, thyroid tissue damage or disrupted thyroid function so it’s important to keep a check on your levels and make changes to your diet and lifestyle to lower them. Ideally you want your reading to be below 34 although this can differ slightly between labs.
Thyroglobulin Antibodies (TgAB)
Thyroglobulin antibodies (TgAB) are another useful marker. Thyroglobulin (Tg) is a protein which helps the thyroid create, store, and then release thyroid hormones. It stores tyrosine molecules which are then attached to iodine to make thyroid hormones.
TgAb’s are antibodies that target thyroglobulin and while they may not directly affect the synthesis of thyroid hormones, elevated antibody levels can cause an immune response and inflammation within the thyroid which can lead to tissue damage. This interference can then disrupt the balance of thyroid hormones and their release into the bloodstream. An optimal reading is less than 40.0 IU/mL.
TSH Receptor Antibody (TrAB)
Also worth noting are TSH receptor antibodies (TrAB). Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) is produced by the pituitary gland and stimulates the production of thyroid hormones (T4 and T3).
A TrAB test measures the number of antibodies that have targeted TSH receptor sites on the thyroid gland, blocking this interaction and thereby preventing and inhibiting TSH from stimulating the thyroid to produce thyroid hormones This test is typically carried out to determine and/or diagnose Grave’s Disease. Test results should be less than 3.10 IU/L.
The Full Picture:
Blood test results can be incredibly informative but it’s worth noting that even if your antibody levels are high, the presence of symptoms can still vary from person to person. For some people the body may compensate more efficiently and the severity of symptoms may take longer to manifest.
While antibody levels and a full thyroid panel can offer valuable insights and clues to how involved the immune system is, other factors may need considering as well. A healthcare practitioner such as a nutritional therapist or functional medicine doctor will typically discuss your symptoms, family history, potential risk factors, physical signs associated with a thyroid disorder such as goitre, dry skin, tremors or exophthalmos, plus your historical and current diet and lifestyle choices to help identify patterns and triggers which may have contributed to your thyroid dysfunction.
If you’d like a more accurate assessment of your thyroid and a personalised plan to help manage your symptoms effectively please drop me a line (lisa@floweroflifenutrition.co.uk) and book in for a free discovery call. I’d love to help you get your health back on track so you can go back to feeling like the real you and living the life you deserve.
