My anti-TPO antibodies is 278 during my pregnancy. What does this indicate?

Question

Hello doctor,

I am 28 years old. I got pregnant three months back. At 1.5 months, I went for a regular check-up. Everything came normal except for my TSH level, which came out to be 5.57. I have not gone for thyroid test before. Doctor gave me 50 mg Thyronorm to be taken daily as she termed it hypothyroidism. After one month when tests are done again, TSH came out to be 1.67, but anti-TPO antibodies are present and 278. Please explain what does this mean? Do I have to take medication life long? Does it have any harmful effects on my kids, I am expecting twins. Doctor asked me to continue medication even after delivery. What does it mean?

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

Elevated levels of anti-TPO antibodies indicate you have autoimmune thyroiditis. Do not worry about these terminologies, what it shows is you may have the disease even after the delivery. But that does not mean that you need to take medications life long. It can become normal by itself also. Since your TSH level is controlled now with medication, there are no harmful effects on your kids but keep taking drugs and get TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone) frequently tested till delivery.