Method enables users to add aTPO testing to their automated in-house thyroid function testing service, thus meeting increasing demand from doctors for autoimmune thyroid investigations
A new automated method for the quantitative determination of autoantibodies against thyroid peroxidase (aTPO) in blood serum or plasma has been introduced for use on Bayer's high-throughput Advia Centaur immunoassay system.
Introduction of this new method enables Advia Centaur users to add aTPO testing to their automated in-house thyroid function testing service, thus meeting increasing demand from doctors for autoimmune thyroid investigations.
Measurement of thyroid autoantibodies assists in the diagnosis, confirmation and treatment monitoring of a range of illnesses relating to the thyroid gland.
aTPO antibodies are known to play a significant role in conditions such as under-active thyroid (hypothyroidism), and are present in the majority of patients suffering from Hashimoto's thyroiditis and Graves's disease.
They are also found in patients with atropic thyroiditis and primary myxedema.
Increased levels of aTPO antibodies also occur in women with postpartum thyroiditis which is seen in 5% - 9% of women who have just given birth.
There is increasing awareness of the prevalence of thyroid disease, particularly amongst patients aged 40+ (a rapidly growing section of the population), post-natal women and those who are undergoing fertility treatment.
This has led to a growth in demand for autoimmune thyroid testing whose performance is now emerging as a 'standard of care'.
The volume of aTPO test requests received in many clinical laboratories is now approaching the level at which automation of testing is considered essential.
aTPO is part of a comprehensive range of thyroid function tests which can be automated on the Advia Centaur.
The range also includes TSH, T4, T3, Free T4, Free T3, T Uptake and the newly-introduced anti-Thyroglobulin (anti-TG). Availability of this comprehensive panel of thyroid testing assays means that users of the Advia Centaur can now consolidate all their thyroid function testing on to this single outstandingly productive analyser, reaping the benefits of fast turnaround and improved laboratory efficiency.
Advia Centaur aTPO assay can be run in random random access mode alongside all other analytes, enhancing patient care through the availability of same-day results.
Unlike other automated aTPO methods which require samples to be run in duplicate, results from the Advia Centaur aTPO assay are produced in a single test.
There is no requirement for manual dilution of samples to be performed, which means that laboratory staff are left free to apply their skills to other important tasks.
The Advia Centaur aTPO assay has been shown to achieve outstanding clinical concordance with the 'gold standard' Brahms Dynotest.
"The aTPO test is useful because it confirms a diagnosis of auto-immune thyroid disease", says Rhys John, consultant clinical biochemist at the University Hospital of Wales.
"It 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."
