The presence of each antibody affects your thyroid gland in sightly different ways:
The presence of TPOAb is associated with Hashimoto’s disease.
TPOAbs attack the healthy tissue of the thyroid gland and stop it from producing thyroid hormones. This is also known as having an underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism).
Up to 95% of people with Hashimoto’s will have TPO antibodies in their blood, making them the most obvious sign that you might have or will develop Hashimoto’s.
Thyroglobulin antibodies (TgAb) are another type of antibody associated with thyroid disease.
Like TPO antibodies, TgAb is also found in people with Hashimoto’s disease, but to a lesser extent.
This group of antibodies target the Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH) receptors in the Thyroid gland. This can cause the gland to overproduce thyroid hormones, resulting in an overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism).
Hyperthyroidism can lead to Graves disease, and the TRAb are the root cause.
Please note, we currently do not offer TRAb tests.
Keeping track of your antibody levels helps you understand if you’re at risk of thyroid disease.
Also, autoimmune conditions are associated with one another. If you have a diagnosis of Hashimoto’s you might also be at risk of developing diseases including type 1 diabetes, Addison’s, coeliac disease and pernicious anaemia.
The presence of antibodies to the thyroid might prompt your clinician to screen for these other diseases depending on your symptoms.
Thyroid disease is associated with poor outcomes in pregnancy, the risk of which is increased in the presence of antibodies. If you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy and are concerned about thyroid disease it's important to discuss this with your GP.
Note that the blood test ranges used in pregnancy are different and are trimester-specific.