Thyroid Antibodies Panel Blood Test
The Thyroid Antibodies Panel Blood Test detects and measures the number of specific thyroid antibodies in the blood to screen for thyroid disorders.
Description
What is a thyroid?
The thyroid is a gland in the neck, above the collarbone, shaped like a butterfly. The thyroid is one of the endocrine glands which produce hormones. These thyroid hormones help regulate the rate of many activities in the body, such as how fast calories are burned and how fast the heart beats.
What is the purpose of this test?
Order this Thyroid Antibodies Panel Blood Test, which detects and measures the number of specific thyroid antibodies in the blood to screen for thyroid disorders. Thyroid antibodies develop when the immune system wrongly targets the thyroid gland or protein components. This autoimmune response, in which the immune system wrongly damages tissues in the body, can lead to chronic thyroid inflammation, tissue damage, and disruption of thyroid function.
This panel includes the following:
Thyroid Peroxidase Antibodies (TPO) - provide a differential diagnosis of hypothyroidism and thyroiditis. Thyroid peroxidase (antibodies to thyroid microsomes) is present in 70 to 90 percent of patients with chronic thyroiditis and smaller percentages of patients with other thyroid diseases. Antibody production might be confined to lymphocytes within the thyroid, and serum might be negative. A small percentage of people with no evidence of disease may also have these antibodies. Antibodies to thyroid microsomes are found more frequently in women, and the chance of occurrences increases with age.
Thyroid Antithyroglobulin Antibody (TAA) - helps investigate the cause of enlarged thyroid glands (goiters) and can also be used as a follow-up evaluation when other thyroid tests, such as T3, T4, and TSH, show signs of thyroid dysfunction. When patients with a known non-thyroid-related autoimmune condition (such as pernicious anemia, rheumatoid arthritis, or systemic lupus erythematosus) develop symptoms suggesting thyroid involvement, multiple thyroid antibody tests are often ordered to assist in the evaluation of the condition.
When should I order the Thyroid Antibodies Panel Blood Test?
Individuals may order this panel if they suspect a thyroid disorder. Common signs or symptoms associated with thyroid malfunction or disorders include:
- Fatigue
- Weight loss or gain
- Chills
- Painful joints and muscles
- Dry skin
- Thin/dry hair
- Irregular heart rate
- Constipation
- Depression and anxiety
- Mood swings
- Irregular menstrual periods
- Infertility
- Insomnia
- Frequent bowel movements
