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HelpTest ID: TGAB Thyroglobulin Antibody, Serum
Reporting Name
Thyroglobulin Antibody, SUseful 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 (anti-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 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 daysDay(s) Performed
Monday through Saturday
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):3-126
4. Soh SB, Aw TC: Laboratory testing in thyroid conditions - Pitfalls and clinical utility. Ann Lab Med. 2019 Jan;39(1):3-14. doi: 10.3343/alm.2019.39.1.3
5. Spencer C, Fatemi S: Thyroglobulin antibody (TgAb) methods - Strengths, pitfalls and clinical utility for monitoring TgAb-positive patients with differentiated thyroid cancer. Best Pract Res Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2013 Oct;27(5):701-712. doi: 10.1016/j.beem.2013.07.003
6. Netzel BC, Grebe SK, Carranza Leon BG, et al: Thyroglobulin (Tg) testing revisited: Tg assays, TgAb assays, and correlation of results with clinical outcomes. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2015 Aug;100(8):E1074-83. doi: 10.1210/jc.2015-1967
7. 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
8. Netzel BC, Grebe SK, Algeciras-Schimnich A: Usefulness of a thyroglobulin liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry assay for evaluation of suspected heterophile interference. Clin Chem. 2014 Jul;60(7):1016-1018. doi: 10.1373/clinchem.2014.224816
9. Wassner AJ, Della Vecchia M, Jarolim P, Feldman HA, Huang SA: Prevalence and significance of thyroglobulin antibodies in pediatric thyroid cancer. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2017 Sep 1;102(9):3146-3153. doi: 10.1210/jc.2017-00286
10. 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 RedOrdering Guidance
For the follow-up of patients with differentiated follicular cell-derived thyroid carcinomas, consider either HTG2 / Thyroglobulin, Tumor Marker, Serum or HTGR / Thyroglobulin, Tumor Marker Reflex, Serum.
The preferred method for confirming Graves disease in atypical cases or under special clinical circumstances is measurement of the pathogenic antithyrotropin receptor antibodies by binding assay or bioassay. Order either THYRO / Thyrotropin Receptor Antibody, Serum or TSI / Thyroid-Stimulating Immunoglobulin, 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 | ||
| Ambient | 7 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 |
|---|---|---|
| TGAB | Thyroglobulin Antibody, S | 56536-6 |
mml-endo-thyroid