What does my anti-TPO result mean alongside my TSH?

For evidence-based information about Anti-TPO (Thyroid Peroxidase Antibody) Test, visit this page.

Does a positive result mean I will develop thyroid disease?

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Should I be monitored over time?

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What factors may be affecting my result?

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How often should I be retested?

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Home → Tests → Anti-TPO

Anti-TPO (Thyroid Peroxidase Antibody) Test

⚠️ Update approaching🔬 Evidence: StrongEndocrine & Metabolism

Diğer adları: Thyroid peroxidase antibody, TPOAb, TPO antibody

⚠️

Discuss your test results with your doctor. This page is for informational purposes only and does not provide a diagnosis.

⚡ Key Facts

• Measures autoantibodies against thyroid peroxidase enzyme • The most common marker for autoimmune thyroid disease • Positive in most Hashimoto's thyroiditis and many Graves' disease cases • A positive result does not always mean thyroid dysfunction is present

🧪 What Does This Test Measure?

The anti-TPO test measures autoantibodies against the thyroid peroxidase enzyme, serving as the most common marker for autoimmune thyroid disease.

📋 Why Is It Ordered?

Ordered for autoimmune thyroid disease evaluation, investigating the cause of hypothyroidism, and assessing progression risk in subclinical thyroid disease.

🔧 Preparation

No special preparation is required. Fasting is not necessary and the test can be performed at any time of day.

📊 Reference Ranges

Negative (normal): generally <35 IU/mL (varies by laboratory) Positive: above the laboratory's established threshold ⚠️ Thresholds and units vary significantly between laboratories and assay methods.

⬆️ High Values

Positive anti-TPO may be associated with Hashimoto's thyroiditis, Graves' disease, or other autoimmune conditions. A positive result does not always indicate current thyroid dysfunction.

⬇️ Low Values

A negative anti-TPO result reduces the likelihood of autoimmune thyroid disease; however, in rare cases, antibody-negative autoimmune thyroiditis can occur.

⚙️ What Can Affect Results?

Age, sex, genetic predisposition, iodine intake, other autoimmune diseases, and assay method may affect anti-TPO results.

🔬 Evidence Summary

Strong evidence: 3 guidelines, 1 systematic review, 2 reviews, 2 observational studies.

📚 Most Important Studies on This Topic

Clinical Practice Guidelines for Hypothyroidism in Adults: Cosponsored by the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists and the American Thyroid Association

Guideline· Endocrine Practice · 2012 · PMID: 22954017

Hashimoto thyroiditis: clinical and diagnostic criteria

Review· Autoimmunity Reviews · 2014 · PMID: 24434360

The incidence of thyroid disorders in the community: a twenty-year follow-up of the Whickham Survey

Observational· Clinical Endocrinology · 1995 · PMID: 7641412

✅ Key Takeaways

💡

What you learned: Anti-TPO is the primary marker for autoimmune thyroid disease. A positive result indicates immune activity against the thyroid but does not always mean thyroid dysfunction.

⛔

A positive anti-TPO result alone does not diagnose thyroid disease. TSH, clinical findings, and follow-up are needed.

🔬 Sources Used on This Page

9 sources · Most recent publication: 2023

📋

Guideline

Expert society and guideline recommendations

sources

📊

Systematic review / meta-analysis

Combined analysis of multiple studies

source

📖

Review

Comprehensive topic evaluation

sources

👁

Observational

Observational and cohort studies

sources

Overall assessment: Evidence level for this topic is strong. This page is supported by 3 guidelines, 1 systematic review/meta-analysis, 3 reviews, 2 observational studies.

📝 Questions to Ask Your Doctor

Be prepared for your appointment. Add questions to your list.

📋 References

[PMID: 37655789] Thyroid Stimulating Hormone and Thyroid Hormones (Triiodothyronine and Thyroxine): An American Thyroid Association-Commissioned Review of Current Clinical and Laboratory Status. Thyroid, 2023.

[PMID: 28056690] 2017 Guidelines of the American Thyroid Association for the Diagnosis and Management of Thyroid Disease During Pregnancy and the Postpartum. Thyroid, 2017.

[PMID: 24434360] Hashimoto thyroiditis: clinical and diagnostic criteria. Autoimmunity Reviews, 2014.

[PMID: 25266247] Guidelines for the Treatment of Hypothyroidism: Prepared by the ATA Task Force on Thyroid Hormone Replacement. Thyroid, 2014.

[PMID: 22954017] Clinical Practice Guidelines for Hypothyroidism in Adults: Cosponsored by the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists and the American Thyroid Association. Endocrine Practice, 2012.

[PMID: 17991805] The clinical significance of subclinical thyroid dysfunction. Endocrine Reviews, 2008.

[PMID: 14722150] Subclinical Thyroid Disease: Scientific Review and Guidelines for Diagnosis and Management. JAMA, 2004.

[PMID: 11836274] Serum TSH, T(4), and Thyroid Antibodies in the United States Population (1988 to 1994): NHANES III. Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, 2002.

[PMID: 7641412] The incidence of thyroid disorders in the community: a twenty-year follow-up of the Whickham Survey. Clinical Endocrinology, 1995.

Last reviewed: 3/31/2026

Next review: 3/31/2027

🔗 Related Topics

🩺 Hipotiroidizm 🩺 Hipertiroidizm 🧪 TSH (Tiroid uyarıcı hormon)🧪 Serbest T4 (sT4)🧪 Serbest T3 (sT3)

⚖️ This page does not replace medical advice. Make treatment decisions with your doctor.
Content is based on scientific studies indexed in PubMed and current clinical guidelines.