In This Article
In This Article
Your thyroid is a tiny gland in your neck that plays a huge part in your health.
By controlling your metabolism, it helps regulate your digestion, heart, brain, and muscle function, energy levels, and body weight.
“Almost all the cells in the body rely on good thyroid function to perform their duties,” says Dr. Rizza Mira.
Unfortunately, the immune system can sometimes mistakenly attack the thyroid gland. This causes inflammation and tissue damage, which can lead to thyroid dysfunction.
Certain tests look for the presence of antibodies in your blood, which is a sign of an autoimmune disease. Doctors can use these tests to help you make informed decisions about your health.
We talked to Dr. Rizza Mira, a general practitioner, to see how thyroid tests diagnose thyroid issues.
Your doctor will usually order the test to see if your symptoms are caused by autoimmune thyroid diseases (AITD), such as Hashimoto’s disease and Graves’ disease.1
These diseases are usually caused by hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid gland) or hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid gland).
Besides helping diagnose your condition, a thyroid antibody test can also be used to:
Summary
A thyroid antibody test helps you determine if you have an autoimmune disease and will aid you and your healthcare specialist in diagnosing it. It will help them figure out treatment and give you a better idea of your health.
A thyroid antibody test looks for antibodies against parts of your thyroid.
Antibodies are special immune cells that patrol your body looking for harmful bacteria and viruses. When they find one, they bind to it and tag it so your immune system can clean it up.
Sometimes, antibodies confuse your own cells for harmful intruders and tell your immune system to attack them. This causes an autoimmune reaction.
“It is important to check what type of antibody is present in someone with thyroid dysfunction. It can help doctors determine the appropriate treatment,” says Dr. Mira.
According to Dr. Mira, some patients may need hormone replacement while others may need to lower their hormone levels. Three main types of thyroid antibodies are tested:
Thyroid peroxidase is an enzyme needed to make thyroid hormones. Most people with Hashimoto’s disease and Graves’ disease have high TPOAb levels.2
“The presence of TPOAb can cause symptoms of hyperthyroidism. These include hyperactivity, rapid heartbeat, anxiety, and rapid weight loss,” Dr. Mira explains.
Thyroglobulin is a protein made by a healthy thyroid gland. It serves as the precursor for thyroid hormones. However, Dr. Mira says this protein can also be made by cancerous thyroid cells.
Thyroglobulin antibodies are found in about 70% of people with Hashimoto’s disease. They are less common in those with Graves’ disease.2
TgAb is often tested along with thyroglobulin levels in people who have been treated for thyroid cancer.
When thyroid stimulating hormones (TSH) come in contact with thyrotropin receptors, they stimulate the thyroid to make thyroid hormones.
Thyrotropin receptor antibodies are very common in people with Graves’ disease but are rare in people with Hashimoto’s disease.2
A thyroid antibody test is usually ordered if you show symptoms of hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism, and your thyroid tests confirm it.
Before doctors order the test, they will usually rule out iodine deficiency.
Symptoms of hypothyroidism include:
Symptoms of hyperthyroidism include:
A goiter is a swelling of the neck caused by abnormal growth of the thyroid. According to Dr. Mira, the most common cause of goiter worldwide is the lack of iodine in the diet.
It’s associated with both hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism. However, most goiters don’t cause any symptoms. However, if it becomes large enough, it may cause:
Hashimoto’s disease is a disease that causes hypothyroidism and is associated with the same symptoms. The more advanced stages of the disease can cause symptoms such as:
Graves’ disease is a disease that causes hyperthyroidism. It will have the same symptoms as an overactive thyroid during its early stages.
Later stages of the disease can cause goiter, severe weakness, and an irregular heartbeat.
Doctors will routinely test for TgAb levels together with thyroglobulin levels after a patient has been treated for thyroid cancer. This helps them monitor the patient in case the cancer returns.
High antibody levels can interfere with your thyroglobulin test results, making them unreliable.
Know Your DNA Reviews
Don't miss out on the opportunity to learn more about yourself. Read our best DNA test page to find the best one for you.
The cost of a thyroid antibody test will vary based on these factors:
Insurance will usually cover the cost of the test if it’s ordered by your doctor. However, you may be responsible for paying your deductible or co-pay.
If you don’t have insurance, you can purchase both the thyroid peroxidase and thyroglobulin antibodies tests out-of-pocket using a direct-to-consumer (DTC) service.
At-home thyroid tests usually cost anywhere between $50 and $100.
A thyroid antibody test can be performed at a doctor’s office, clinic, lab, hospital, or other medical settings. Testing kits allow you to test your thyroid antibody levels from the comfort of your home.
There is no preparation needed before you take a thyroid antibody test.
Certain medications and supplements, as well as pregnancy, can affect your results. So make sure to let your doctor know beforehand what you’re taking and if you’re pregnant.
You will need to have your blood drawn if the test is ordered by your doctor. A phlebotomist will insert a needle into your arm and draw a small sample of blood.
This usually takes less than a couple of minutes. You may feel a slight sting when the needle first goes in or when it’s removed.
With an at-home test, you just need to provide a small blood sample from a finger prick (usually around five drops).
After blood is drawn, a cotton swab and bandage will be placed on the arm to prevent bleeding. You should leave bandages on for a couple of hours. But you may still continue with your day-to-day activities.
For at-home tests, a band-aid will be provided. You will need to package and send off your blood sample to a lab for testing.
You should get your results back within two to three days. Results from at-home test kits can take one to three weeks, depending on the company and how quickly you ship your sample.
Summary
Thyroid antibody test process:
There are a number of possible results from your thyroid antibody test, including:
The higher the number of antibodies you have, the more likely it is that you have an AITD. However, Dr. Mira says that some patients may have subclinical diseases.
“This means that antibodies are present, but the symptoms are not yet full-blown. Patients with the condition are closely monitored by their doctors,” she adds.
Doctors can also use antibody levels as a measure of how a patient with an autoimmune disease is progressing during treatment.
To help make sense of your results, you can ask your healthcare provider questions such as:
If you are diagnosed with autoimmune thyroid disease, there are medications available to help manage your symptoms and maintain the health of your thyroid.
Know Your DNA Reviews
Looking for the best microbiome kit on the market? Look no further! Our review round-up page has all the information you need to make an informed decision.
