Thyroid Peroxidase Antibodies (TPO)

Advanced wellness

also anti-tpo, tpoab

What it isAutoantibodies that target thyroid peroxidase, the enzyme that builds thyroid hormone. Their presence indicates an autoimmune attack on the thyroid gland.

DoesDrive the autoimmune destruction of thyroid tissue, marking Hashimoto's thyroiditis (and sometimes Graves' disease).

GoodAbsent or low antibodies signal an unaffected thyroid gland.

BadElevated TPO antibodies predict progression to overt hypothyroidism, even when thyroid hormone levels are still normal.

Standard

<9 IU/mL.

Optimal

0–6 IU/mL (lower is good)

Modifiers

Women affected more often; can rise transiently postpartum or after illness.

How to optimize

Lifestyle: Manage stress; quit smoking (paradoxically protective in some thyroid autoimmunity); sleep; gut health support.
Diet: Anti-inflammatory whole-food pattern; consider gluten elimination trial in autoimmune thyroid disease; adequate selenium-rich foods (Brazil nuts).
Supplements: Selenium (200µg/day reduces TPO antibody titers), vitamin D3 (target 60–80 ng/mL), zinc (15–30mg/day), myo-inositol (600mg 2×/day).
Peptides: Thymalin, thymosin alpha-1 may modulate autoimmunity.
Drugs: Levothyroxine if hypothyroid; low-dose naltrexone explored in some autoimmune thyroid disease.

within Thyroid