Thyroglobulin Antibody, Serum - Mayo Clinic Laboratories | Neurology Catalog

Mục Lục

Reporting Name

Thyroglobulin Antibody, S

Useful For

As an adjunct in the diagnosis of autoimmune thyroid diseases: Hashimoto disease, postpartum thyroiditis, neonatal hypothyroidism, and Graves disease

Clinical Information

Thyroglobulin autoantibodies bind thyroglobulin (Tg), a major thyroid-specific protein. Tg plays a crucial role in thyroid hormone synthesis, storage, and release.

Tg is not secreted into the systemic circulation under normal circumstances. However, follicular destruction through inflammation (thyroiditis and autoimmune hypothyroidism), hemorrhage (nodular goiter), or rapid disordered growth of thyroid tissue, as may be observed in Graves disease or follicular cell-derived thyroid neoplasms, can result in leakage of Tg into the blood stream. This results in the formation of autoantibodies to Tg (anti-Tg) in some individuals. The same processes also may result in exposure of other “hidden” thyroid antigens to the immune system, resulting in the formation of autoantibodies to other thyroid antigens, in particular thyroid peroxidase (TPO) (anti-TPO). Since anti-Tg and anti-TPO autoantibodies are observed most frequently in autoimmune thyroiditis (Hashimoto disease), they were originally considered to be of possible pathogenic significance in this disorder. However, the consensus opinion today is that they are merely disease markers. It is felt that the presence of competent immune cells at the site of thyroid tissue destruction in autoimmune thyroiditis simply predisposes the patient to form autoantibodies to hidden thyroid antigens.

In individuals with autoimmune hypothyroidism, 30% to 50% will have detectable anti-Tg autoantibodies, while 50% to 90% will have detectable anti-TPO autoantibodies. In Graves disease, both types of autoantibodies are observed at approximately half these rates.

The presence of anti-Tg, which occurs in 15% to 30% of thyroid cancer patients, could result in misleading Tg results. In immunometric assays, the presence of thyroid antibody can lead to false-low measurement; whereas it might lead to false-high results in competitive assays.

Interpretation

Diagnosis of Autoimmune Thyroid Disease:

Measurements of antithyroperoxidase (TPO) have higher sensitivity and equal specificity to antithyroglobulin (anti-Tg) measurements in the diagnosis of autoimmune thyroid disease. Anti-Tg levels should, therefore, only be measured if anti-TPO measurements are negative, but clinical suspicion of autoimmune thyroid disease is high. Detection of significant titers of anti-Tg or anti-TPO autoantibodies is supportive evidence for a diagnosis of Graves disease in patients with thyrotoxicosis. However, measurement of the pathogenic antithyrotropin (anti-thyroid stimulating hormone)) receptor antibodies by binding assay (THYRO / Thyrotropin Receptor Antibody, Serum) or bioassay (TSI / Thyroid-Stimulating Immunoglobulin, Serum) is the preferred method of confirming Graves disease in atypical cases and under special clinical circumstances.

Positive thyroid autoantibody levels in patients with high-normal or slightly elevated serum thyrotropin levels predict the future development of more profound hypothyroidism.

Patients with postpartum thyroiditis with persistently elevated thyroid autoantibody levels have an increased likelihood of permanent hypothyroidism.

In cases of neonatal hypothyroidism, the detection of anti-TPO or anti-Tg in the infant suggests transplacental antibody transfer, particularly if the mother has a history of autoimmune thyroiditis or detectable thyroid autoantibodies. The neonatal hypothyroidism is likely to be transient in these cases.

Report Available

1 to 3 days

Day(s) Performed

Monday through Friday

Clinical Reference

1 Sapin P, d’Herbomez M, Gasser F, Meyer L, Schlienger JL: Increased sensitivity of a new assay for anti-thyroglobulin antibody detection in patients with autoimmune thyroid disease. Clin Biochem. 2003 Nov;36(8):611-616. doi: 10.1016/s0009-9120(03)00114-0

2. Saravanan P, Dayan CM: Thyroid autoantibodies. Endocrinol Metab Clin North Am. 2001 June;30(2):315-337

3. Baloch Z, Carayon P, Conte-Devolx B, et al: Laboratory Medicine Practice Guidelines. Laboratory support for the diagnosis and monitoring of thyroid disease Thyroid 2003 Jan;13(1):45-67

4. Algeciras-Schimnich A: Thyroglobulin measurement in the management of patients with differentiated thyroid cancer. Crit Rev Clin Lab Sci. 2018 May;55(3):205-218. doi: 10.1080/10408363.2018.1450830

5. Frohlich E, Wahl R: Thyroid autoimmunity: Role of anti-thyroid antibodies in thyroid and extra-thyroidal diseases. Front Immunol. 2017 May 9;8:521. doi: 10.3389/fimmu.2017.00521

Method Name

Immunoenzymatic Assay

Specimen Type

Serum Red

Ordering Guidance

For the follow-up of patients with differentiated follicular-cell derived thyroid carcinomas, consider ordering HTG2 / Thyroglobulin, Tumor Marker, Serum or HTGR / Thyroglobulin, Tumor Marker Reflex, Serum.

Specimen Required

Patient Preparation: For 12 hours before specimen collection, do not take multivitamins or dietary supplements containing biotin (vitamin B7), which is commonly found in hair, skin, and nail supplements and multivitamins.

Container/Tube: Red top (gel tubes/SST are not acceptable)

Specimen Volume: 0.6 mL

Collection Instructions: Centrifuge and aliquot serum within 2 hours of collection.

Specimen Minimum Volume

0.5 mL

Specimen Stability Information

Specimen Type
Temperature
Time
Special Container

Serum Red
Refrigerated (preferred)
7 days

Frozen
30 days

Reference Values

<4.0 IU/mL

Reference values apply to all ages.

Test Classification

This test has been cleared, approved, or is exempt by the US Food and Drug Administration and is used per manufacturer’s instructions. Performance characteristics were verified by Mayo Clinic in a manner consistent with CLIA requirements.

CPT Code Information

86800

LOINC Code Information

Test ID
Test Order Name
Order LOINC Value

TGAB
Thyroglobulin Antibody, S
56536-6

Result ID
Test Result Name
Result LOINC Value