Automated Test for Thyroid Functioning

They are present in the majority of patients suffering from underactive thyroid, Hashimoto's thyroiditis, and Graves' disease. In addition, aTPO antibodies are found in patients with atropic thyroiditis and primary myxedema. Increased levels also occur in women with postpartum thyroiditis.

This growth in the demand for autoimmune thyroid testing has resulted in the need for automated testing, said Bayer Diagnostics (Newbury, UK), which developed the aTPO test. Other thyroid tests that can also be automated on Bayer's Advia CentaurT include TSH (thyroid-stimulating hormone), T4, T3, Free T4, FreeT3 and anti-thyroglobulin (anti-TG).

"The aTPO test is helpful for patients who have borderline raised TSH, because those who also have high TPO antibodies are at risk of developing long-term hypothyroidism and should be considered for treatment with thyroxine,” said Dr. Rhys John, consultant clinical biochemist at the University Hospital of Wales (Cardiff, UK).


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