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What to know about thyroid antibodiesMedically reviewed by Kelly Wood, MD — By Mathieu Rees on June 22, 2022The thyroid gland is an important organ that regulates metabolism and protein synthesis in the body. Thyroid antibodies are cells which the immune system forms in response to thyroid cells. Thyroid antibodies happen because the immune system mistakes thyroid cells for harmful cells and attacks them.
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However, the immune system might also create thyroid antibodies in response to cancer cells within the thyroid gland. Therefore, doctors may test a person for elevated thyroid antibody levels to diagnose autoimmune diseases.
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This article discusses thyroid antibody function and what conditions their presence might indicate. It also lists some common thyroid antibody tests and answers some common questions about thyroid antibodies. What do thyroid antibodies do
Share on Pinterestmixetto/Getty ImagesAs a 2022 review explains, the thyroid is a gland within a person’s neck.
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It produces a variety of different thyroid hormones. These hormones help to regulate a person’s metabolism, as well as the process of protein formation.
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As with any other organ, multiple cells compose the thyroid. Usually, other bodily systems do not interfere with those cells, allowing the thyroid gland to perform its function.
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However, it is possible for an individual’s immune system to attack and damage thyroid cells. This can cause various kinds of thyroid dysfunction.
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The role of the immune system is to detect and destroy harmful pathogens, like bacteria, or viruses. However, in autoimmune conditions, a person’s immune system mistakes some of their own healthy cells for an invading pathogen. Whenever the immune system reacts to a perceived threat, it releases biochemicals called antibodies.
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Thyroid antibodies develop when a person’s immune system attacks thyroid cells. These are healthy thyroid cells in autoimmune conditions.
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What can thyroid antibodies indicate
There are several different kinds of thyroid antibodies. The British Thyroid Foundation (BTF) explains that different thyroid antibodies will cause different kinds of thyroid disorders. Therefore, the presence of thyroid antibodies can indicate the presence of several diseases.
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Hashimoto s thyroiditis
Hashimoto s thyroiditis is an autoimmune condition that causes hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid gland). The condition is the most common cause of hypothyroidism in developed countries and it is more likely to arise in people with other autoimmune disorders. Some common early symptoms of Hashimoto s thyroiditis include:constipationweight gainfatiguedry skin
The primary treatment for the condition is thyroid hormone replacement therapy.
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Graves disease
Graves disease is a different autoimmune disease. It is the most common cause of hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid gland). In the United States, around 1.2% of the population will develop Graves disease.
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Some symptoms of the condition include:tachycardiaatrial fibrillationfine tremorshair loss
Treatment for Graves disease may include:anti-thyroid drugsradioactive iodinesurgery to remove all or part of the thyroid
What thyroid antibody tests are there
There are several different kinds of thyroid antibody tests. The BTF lists some of them as follows:Thyroid peroxidase antibody (TPOAb) test. People with Hashimoto s thyroiditis have higher levels of TPOAb, and some people with Graves disease also have raised TPOAb levels.Thyroglobulin antibody (Tg Ab) test.
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A doctor may monitor Tg Ab levels in people who have had thyroid cancer. Some people with Hashimoto s thyroiditis also have elevated Tg Ab levels.Thyroid-stimulating hormone receptor antibody (TSHR Ab/TRAb) test.
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People with Graves disease have higher levels of TSHR Ab.Thyroid-stimulating immunoglobulin test. A person with Graves disease may have raised thyroid-stimulating immunoglobulin levels.
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Doctors do not always use all these tests if they suspect that someone has a thyroid condition. Frequently asked questions
Below are some of the most common questions and answers about thyroid antibodies:
What causes thyroid antibodies to be high
Thyroid antibody levels may increase when a person’s immune system mistakes healthy thyroid cells for harmful organisms, like bacteria or viruses.
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Can thyroid antibodies go away
In some cases. For example, people with Graves disease may find their thyroid antibody levels go back to normal after treatment.
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However, thyroid antibodies can remain in the body for years after treatment and cause a relapse. Generally, thyroid antibodies remain in the body in people with Hashimoto s thyroiditis but the antibody levels can fluctuate.
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What is a normal range for thyroid antibodies
It depends on the type of thyroid antibody, alongside a variety of factors. According to Thyroid UK, the reference range for Tg Ab should be less than 200 milli-international units per milliliter (mUI/ml) or an antibody index of no higher than 0.9. The reference range for TPOAb should be less than 150 mUI/ml or an antibody index of no higher than 0.9.
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However, it is also important to note that different laboratories may have different reference ranges. Summary
The immune system releases thyroid antibodies in response to thyroid cells. When thyroid cells are healthy, elevated thyroid antibodies can indicate an autoimmune condition, such as Graves disease or Hashimoto s thyroiditis.
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Therefore, a doctor may use a thyroid antibody test to diagnose autoimmune disorders. There are a number of different thyroid antibody tests a healthcare professional may use.
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Last medically reviewed on June 22, 2022Immune System / Vaccines 7 sourcescollapsedMedical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and draws only from peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We avoid using tertiary references. We link primary sources — including studies, scientific references, and statistics — within each article and also list them in the resources section at the bottom of our articles.
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You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.Armstrong, M., et al. (2022).
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Physiology, thyroid function.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK537039/Autoimmune diseases. (2022).https://www.niehs.nih.gov/health/topics/conditions/autoimmune/index.cfmLee, K., et al. (2021).
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Thyroid cancer.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK459299/Mincer, D.L., et al. (2021).
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Hashimoto thyroiditis.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK459262/Pokhrel, B., et al. (2021).
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Graves disease.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK448195/Thyroid antibodies explained. (2021).https://www.btf-thyroid.org/thyroid-antibodies-explainedThyroid antibodies you are most likely to test positive for.
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(2021).https://thyroiduk.org/thyroid-antibodies/FEEDBACK:Medically reviewed by Kelly Wood, MD — By Mathieu Rees on June 22, 2022
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Related CoverageWhat to know about common thyroid disordersMedically reviewed by Marina Basina, M.D.
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Thyroid disorders may occur if the gland releases too much or too little hormone. In this article, learn about hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, and…READ MOREThyroid nodule symptoms, treatment, causes, and all else you need to knowMedically reviewed by Nicole Leigh Aaronson, MD, MBA, CPE, FACS, FAAP
Thyroid nodules are lumps that can occur in the thyroid gland. Most are harmless, but some may need treating, and a few are cancerous.
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Find out more…READ MOREWhat is hyperthyroidism? Symptoms, treatments, causes, and moreMedically reviewed by Kelly Wood, MD
Hyperthyroidism is a medical condition due to high levels of thyroid hormone in the bloodstream. Learn about the causes, symptoms, and treatments here.READ MORE8 herbs that may improve thyroid healthMedically reviewed by Debra Rose Wilson, Ph.D., MSN, R.N., IBCLC, AHN-BC, CHT
There are some herbs that may have benefits for thyroid conditions.
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