The presence of TPO antibodies in your blood suggests that the cause of thyroid disease is an autoimmune disorder, such as Hashimoto's disease or Graves' disease. In autoimmune disorders, your immune system makes antibodies that mistakenly attack normal tissue.

What causes TPO levels to rise?

Moderately increased levels of thyroperoxidase (TPO) antibodies may be found in patients with non-thyroid autoimmune disease such as pernicious anemia, type I diabetes, or other disorders that activate the immune system.

Can you have high TPO without Hashimoto's?

High levels of TPO antibodies may be indicative of autoimmune thyroid disease. On their own, the presence of TPO antibodies does not necessarily mean hypothyroidism. Instead, Hashimoto's is the most common cause of hypothyroidism.