Antithyroid antibodies and test for hypothyroidism

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Antithyroid antibodies and test for hypothyroidism

The immune system may produce antithyroid antibodies that destroy thyroid tissue. An antithyroid antibody test determines whether you have these antibodies.

If you test positive for antithyroid antibodies, you may have Hashimoto's thyroiditis, the most common cause of hypothyroidism. However, many people with hypothyroidism never test positive for antithyroid antibodies. Also, people who test positive for antithyroid antibodies may never develop hypothyroidism. Some people who test positive for antithyroid antibodies develop hyperthyroidism (Graves' disease).

If you have mild (subclinical) hypothyroidism, the presence of antithyroid antibodies can help predict how likely it is that you will develop hypothyroidism that eventually causes symptoms.

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Author	Caroline Rea, RN, BS, MS
Editor	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA
Associate Editor	Tracy Landauer
Associate Editor	Pat Truman, MATC
Primary Medical Reviewer	Caroline S. Rhoads, MD - Internal Medicine
Specialist Medical Reviewer	Matthew I. Kim, MD - Endocrinology & Metabolism
Last Updated	August 25, 2008

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Last updated:	August 25, 2008
Author:	Caroline Rea, RN, BS, MS
Reviewed By:	Caroline S. Rhoads, MD - Internal Medicine, Matthew I. Kim, MD - Endocrinology & Metabolism
Editors:	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Pat Truman, MATC

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