Introduction

Nataliia Sanzo, RD, LDN. 0:00

Hi everyone , welcome back to my channel If you're new here . I'm Natalia Sainz , a registered dietitian specializing in Hashimoto's hypothyroidism . Today we're diving into a topic that does not get nearly enough attention thyroid antibodies . Specifically , we're going to explore what you might not know about them and how they relate to Hashimoto's . Trust me , this information can really change your understanding of Hashimoto's .

Nataliia Sanzo, RD, LDN. 0:30

Now , if you have Hashimoto's or know someone who does , you might be familiar with terms like TPO antibodies and TG antibodies . These are the antibodies that our immune system mistakenly produces , thinking our thyroid gland is the enemy . But there is so much more to these antibodies than just their names , so let's break it down .

Get the basics out of the way

Nataliia Sanzo, RD, LDN. 0:55

First off , let's get the basics out of the way . Our thyroid produces TPO and TG Yep . Tpo and TG Yep . You heard it right . Tpo is actually an enzyme produced by our thyroid gland and is crucial for the production of thyroid hormone . Tg thyroid globulin is the glycoprotein , again produced by our thyroid gland , and is the main precursor to thyroid hormone .

Nataliia Sanzo, RD, LDN. 1:23

In Hashimoto's , the immune system attacks the thyroid gland . This attack is primarily mediated by two types of antibodies TPO antibody and TG antibody . It is not the actual TPO and TG that attacks your thyroid gland . It is the antibodies created by our immune system . These antibodies target the thyroid gland , leading to inflammation and , over time , hypothyroidism . But why does this happen ? The exact cause isn't fully understood , but it is believed to involve a mix of genetic predisposition and environmental triggers like stress , infections or even dietary factors . Now

TPO antibodies can be present for decades before any symptoms

Nataliia Sanzo, RD, LDN. 2:10

here's where it gets interesting . Did you know that the presence of thyroid antibodies can actually precede the diagnosis of hypothyroidism by many years ? Some studies suggest that TPO antibodies can be present for decades before any symptoms of hypothyroidism show up . This means that if you are tested early , you could potentially take steps to manage your thyroid health before more serious symptoms arise

Not everyone with high levels of thyroid antibodies will develop hypothyroidism

Nataliia Sanzo, RD, LDN. 2:42

. Guys , another fascinating point is that not everyone with high levels of thyroid antibodies will develop hypothyroidism . It's a bit of a mystery why some people with elevated antibodies never progress to full-blown hypothyroidism while others do . This variability suggests that there are other factors at play , such as lifestyle , diet and possibly other underlying conditions

TPO antibodies fluctuation

Nataliia Sanzo, RD, LDN. 3:08

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Nataliia Sanzo, RD, LDN. 3:08

Guys , have you ever noticed your TPO antibodies fluctuation for no apparent reasons ? Here's a fascinating detail . Tpo antibodies can fluctuate significantly in response to various factors , including pregnancy , infections and even seasonal changes . Pregnancy , for instance , often leads to a temporary reduction in TPO antibodies , providing a sort of immune tolerance that protects the developing baby . However , postpartum these levels can spike and sometimes leading to postpartum thyroiditis , a condition that can evolve into Hashimoto's

Is a TPO antibody of 400 too high?

Nataliia Sanzo, RD, LDN. 3:48

. Now let me ask you a question Are your antibodies high ? Let's say you already did a full thyroid panel , whatever that means to you , and you know your TPO antibodies level . But what do they mean ? Is antibody level of 400 or 4,000 too high ? The new research shows that TPO levels of 100 or 1,000 is not a sign of one disease worse than the other , but I want to emphasize that research also says that TPO antibodies are indicators of oxidative stress , and patients with low or non-measurable thyroid antibodies present with milder form of the disease

Why Doctors don't test TPO

Nataliia Sanzo, RD, LDN. 4:28

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Nataliia Sanzo, RD, LDN. 4:28

You might be wondering if thyroid antibodies are so important , why don't all doctors measure them routinely ? Well , there are a few reasons for this . First , not all cases of hypothyroidism are caused by Hashimoto's thyroiditis . Many doctors prioritize testing TSH , thyroid-stimulating hormone and free T3 levels to assess thyroid function initially . These tests are generally sufficient to diagnose hypothyroidism and guide medical treatment . Secondly , the presence of thyroid antibodies does not always change the treatment plan . Even if antibodies are elevated , the primary treatment for hypothyroidism remains thyroid hormone replacement therapy . Are elevated , the primary treatment for hypothyroidism remains thyroid hormone replacement therapy . Therefore , some doctors may feel that measuring antibodies won't significantly impact the approach to treatment . The third reason why doctors don't measure TPO antibodies is because there is also the consideration of cost and insurance coverage . Some insurance plans may not cover the cost of antibody testing unless there is a clear clinical indication . This can influence a doctor's decision or whether to order these tests

The first way to lower your TPO antibodies

Nataliia Sanzo, RD, LDN. 5:44

. So if doctors are not testing it or treating it , what can you do to lower your TPO antibodies ? Well , at this point we have five proven ways to lower thyroid antibodies . In order not to turn our episode into a two-hour long lecture , today we'll talk about two proven ways to lower your thyroid TPO antibodies , and our listeners can read about the other three approaches in my free guide attached to this episode .

Nataliia Sanzo, RD, LDN. 6:13

The first way to lower TPO antibodies is to improve your gut health . The earliest evidence suggests that gut health is closely linked to thyroid health and that improving gut health can decrease thyroid antibodies and balance your thyroid hormones . In addition , research shows that a range of gut treatments may improve fatigue , mild to moderate depression , anxiety , brain fog , constipation and other things . Here are several ways you can work on improving your gut health 1 . 2 . Anti-inflammatory diet .

Nataliia Sanzo, RD, LDN. 6:51

A low-quality diet is typically the single biggest source of inflammation . That can impair your thyroid and immune function , which can inevitably lead to worsening Hashimoto's related symptoms . Luckily , evidence shows that changing your diet can lower thyroid antibodies . A low-carbohydrate diet was shown in one study to reduce thyroid antibodies by 44% in people with Hashimoto's . In addition , a gluten-free diet was shown to reduce thyroid antibodies in a group of women with Hashimoto's hypothyroidism . I think they had like 38 women . Other studies have shown that eliminating dairy and gluten may help improve thyroid function , but the jury is still out on that . A paleo diet template is a low-carb , dairy-free and gluten-free , and maybe it's a good place to

Another way to lower your thyroid antibody

Nataliia Sanzo, RD, LDN. 7:46

start .

Nataliia Sanzo, RD, LDN. 7:46

Another way to improve your gut health and , in turn , lower your thyroid antibodies is to check for gut infections . Gut infections such as H pylori , sibo , small intestinal bacteria , overgrowth and blastocytis hominis are associated with elevated thyroid antibodies , and treating these infections may reduce TPO antibodies . In my all-purpose nutrition practice I use and recommend a GI map testing . It's a stool test that checks for chronic infections like Epstein-Barr , virus , parasites and much

Can Probiotics lower TPO antibodies?

Nataliia Sanzo, RD, LDN. 8:22

more . The final thing I want to talk about is probiotics . Probiotics have nothing to do with lowering TPO antibodies directly , but probiotics have been shown in multiple studies to improve the gut infections that are associated with elevated thyroid antibodies , including H pylori and SIBO . I talk about exactly which probiotics to take in the free guide that is attached to this episode

Supplements that have been proven to lower TPO antibodies

Nataliia Sanzo, RD, LDN. 8:47

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Nataliia Sanzo, RD, LDN. 8:47

Guys , let me know if you want me to cover supplements that have been proven to lower TPO antibodies . Leave me a comment under this episode . Guys , you know what to do . If you found this information helpful , don't forget to give this episode a thumbs up , share it with anyone who might benefit and subscribe to my channel for more tips on managing Hashimoto's and improving your overall health . Stay nourished and well . See you next week .