Thyroid peroxidase is an enzyme of glycoprotein nature. This microsomal antigen is of the greatest importance in the synthesis of thyroid hormones.
In the autoimmune process, autoantibodies to the tissues forming the thyroid gland are involved. A disorder of thyroid function is often associated with it. Antibodies to thyroperoxidase are of great importance.
Their highest concentration is detected with Hashimoto's thyroiditis. At the last stages of atrophic processes in the thyroid gland, their level decreases, in some cases to undetectable values.
Antibodies to thyroperoxidase are often detected in case of a base disease. Their long identification during the course of the pathology refers to risk factors for the subsequent formation of hypothyroidism.
With a predisposition to Hashimoto thyroiditis in women, antibodies to thyreperoxidase can be detected during pregnancy. With their increased concentration in the first trimester, there is a likelihood of developing the disease after childbirth.
Antibodies to thyroid peroxidase may also indicate the presence of other thyroid pathologies. These, in particular, include adenomas, goiter, thyroid cancer. In addition, antibodies are also found in healthy people (approximately 10% of women and 5% of men).
A laboratory study to identify them must be carried out regardless of the form of the autoimmune process. Diabetes mellitus (insulin-dependent), pernicious anemia, adrenal insufficiency (autoimmune nature), lupus erythematosus is no exception.
The use of certain drugs can provoke the development of hypothyroidism, which is associated with the appearance of autoantibodies. These include, in particular, lithium preparations, Amiodarone. A similar effect is characteristic of immunostimulating therapy (for example, the use of Interferon).
The determination of antibodies is a fairly sensitive test for the detection of autoimmune lesions in the thyroid gland. Moreover, a quantitative indicator has a greater degree of diagnostic value.
It should be noted that it is impossible to establish the presence of an autoimmune disease in the thyroid gland only on the basis of the detected increased antibody score.
The absolute indications for the study is bazedova disease, a forecast of the risk of hypothyroidism against the background of an isolated increase in the concentration of thyroid-stimulating hormone. In addition, the need for analysis arises with autoimmune thyroiditis with primary hypothyroidism, as well as the prognosis of the development of postpartum thyroiditis in patients at risk.
Relative indications include
- differential diagnosis of subacute and autoimmune (lymphocytic) thyroiditis on the background of transistor thyrotoxicosis,
- diagnosis of an autoimmune form against a background of euthyroid diffuse or nodular goiter,
- prediction of hypothyroidism in patients at risk, pregnant in the early stages.
In the process of treating identified diseases, a second study is impractical. This is due to the fact that its level does not have predictive value in the diagnosed disease.
If there is a likelihood of developing an autoimmune thyroid disease, re-examination in the first and second year of observation is recommended if no antibodies to thyroperoxidase were detected during the initial study. The norm for a healthy person is up to 35 IU / ml.
Today, there are no scientifically proven and justified therapeutic methods for AIT (autoimmune thyroiditis). At the same time, against the background of developed hypothyroidism, when antibodies to thyroid peroxidase are increased, the treatment of the disease does not present a problem for doctors. Hormone replacement therapy is prescribed with Levothyroxine.