I am Thyroid peroxidase antibody, As the leader of thyroid autoantibodies, I also have two brothers: Thyroglobulin antibody and Thyrotropin receptor antibody.
The following is our genealogy:
- Eldest brother: thyroid peroxidase antibody, foreign name [TPOAb], is also the narrator of this confession. Second brother: thyroglobulin antibody, foreign name [TgAb] and third brother: thyrotropin receptor antibody, foreign name [TRAb]
You must often see us on the thyroid test form. Our names are not only lengthy and awkward, but also somewhat mysterious.
Where do we come from?
Our growth means what?
What we fear most is what?
… …
Perhaps, this confession can let you lift our mysterious veil.
A scourge brings down a wall.
Foreign substances that invade the human body, such as bacteria and viruses, are called [antigens].
The human body’s immune system will rise up to resist and produce a weapon to destroy foreign enemies. This weapon is called [antibody].
However, sometimes, the human body’s immune system mistakenly regards its own family members as enemies and creates weapons against normal body tissues. This antibody is called [autoantibody].
And our three brothers, it is this so-called autoantibody. We came into the world because of disaster.
People in Jianghu
We are born with a destructive nature, which will pose a threat to the normal operation of organs such as thyroid gland.
People in the Jianghu cannot help themselves.
For example, I (TPOAb) and my second brother (TGAb) often jointly attack thyroid cells, destroying their ability to secrete thyroid hormones and causing hypothyroidism (hypothyroidism) in the body.
In all kinds of thyroiditis, we have played a role in adding fuel to the flames, especially Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. If you don’t believe me, look at the laboratory tests of Hashimoto’s thyroiditis patients and you will know the power of our brothers-we can be several times or even hundreds of times higher than normal!
In addition, I will also affect women’s pregnancy, fetal development and increase the risk of abortion.
My third brother (TRAb) is a restless guy. He has two places at once.
One doppelganger stimulates thyroid gland to secrete excessive thyroid hormone, causing hyperthyroidism (hyperthyroidism). The other doppelganger inhibits thyroid gland to secrete thyroid hormone and causes hypothyroidism. Therefore, the occurrence of hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism may be the masterpiece of the third brother!
However, your human medical technology is limited and you can only detect the first member of the third brother. If his second member is at fault, you will not be able to check it out.
It must be noted that our three brothers sometimes act collectively and target the same patient, making his thyroid function unpredictable and difficult to stabilize, sometimes manifesting hyperthyroidism and sometimes hypothyroidism.
In addition, we don’t always succeed in making trouble in the human body. Therefore, although some human autoantibodies are very high, they have neither hyperthyroidism nor hypothyroidism.
However, we will always lurk in the human body and wait for a chance to move. Maybe we will get it one day. Therefore, you human beings had better check the thyroid function on time and take more precautions against us.
Three types of drugs are our strong enemies.
Human beings have been searching hard for ways to deal with us and have achieved considerable results. There are three types of drugs that are our strong enemies.
1. Antithyroid drugs
The first type of drugs is antithyroid drugs for hyperthyroidism, including methimazole and propylthiouracil.
This kind of drug is the bitter rival of TRAb. The third brother has become inactive and the value on the test form is getting lower and lower. This makes his chances of turning over in the future slim and the recurrence rate of hyperthyroidism has decreased significantly.
2. Thyroxine preparation
The second type of drugs is thyroxine preparations for hypothyroidism, such as levothyroxine tablets.
This kind of drug is the strong enemy of me (TPOAb) and my second brother (TgAb). Sometimes we will be overwhelmed and the detection value will gradually decrease.
3. Selenium
The third type of drugs is drugs containing trace element selenium, such as selenium yeast tablets.
These drugs can be combined with levothyroxine against my second brother and me, and sometimes they do work.
However, human beings have not fully grasped the usage of the third type of drugs and need more scientific research to explore.
Summary
Well, after listening to my confession, do you know more about thyroid diseases? Don’t forget what I said:
1. In order to discover our attack or counterattack as early as possible, remember to review it on time.
2. In order to repel us completely, don’t stop taking drugs casually.