Thyroidal peroxidase antibodies (TPOAb) are directed against microsomes (small structures within a thyroid cell) in the thyroid gland. With the help of the thyroid enzyme thyroid peroxidase (TPO), the effective thyroid hormones thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3) are produced. Highly elevated TPO-Ak levels in the serum occur mainly in Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. In Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, after an initial hyperfunction, the thyroid can become permanently hypothyroid because thyroid tissue is destroyed in the course of the disease.
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