Information about thyroglobulin antibodies
What are thyroglobulin antibodies?
Thyroglobulin is a precursor to the thyroid hormones thyroxine (T4) and Triiodothyronine (T3) and stores these hormones in the thyroid gland. Elevated thyroglobulin antibodies are seen in persons with hyperthyroidism and Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis (thyroid inflammation and hypothyroid). This test measures levels of thyroglobulin. This is tested to help diagnose and monitor autoimmune thyroid diseases, to distinguish these from other forms of thyroid disease, and to help guide treatment decisions.
Why test thyroglobulin antibodies?
Thyroid disorder
You have a thyroid disorder and want to determine whether you also have an autoimmune disease, or
to monitor your antibody levels.
Symptoms
You have symptoms of a thyroid disorder, even if your results are within the normal range.
Pregnancy
Twenty percent of pregnant women have elevated antibodies without knowing about it, according to the American Thyroid Association.
Health check
Discover your risk factors for lifestyle diseases in time to do something about them.
Health history
You have a personal or family history of thyroid disorders.
What does a negative thyroid antibody test mean?
A negative test result means that at the time of testing, thyroglobulin antibodies were not present in the sample or were present in levels that are not considered clinically significant. Some people who have autoimmune thyroid disease do not produce autoantibodies. We recommend that you test all relevant thyroid markers for a full picture. Repeat testing at a later date can be done if symptoms persist.
Common symptoms of hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid) include fatigue, feeling cold, often cold hands, feet, and the tip of the nose, constipation, dry skin, weight gain or difficulty losing weight, puffy face, hoarseness, muscle weakness, stiff and achy muscles, slowed heart rate, dry and thinning hair, poor memory, and depression.
What does a positive thyroid antibody test mean?
This means that thyroglobulin antibodies were found in your sample. This may indicate an autoimmune thyroid disorder. TG antibodies, together with TPO antibodies are often used to diagnose an autoimmune thyroid disorder called Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis, the most common cause of underactive thyroid function.
Hashimoto’s thyroiditis is mainly associated with symptoms of low thyroid (hypothyroidism). TSH is normally high and T3 and T4 are often normal to low. Graves’ disease, on the other hand, is usually associated with symptoms of overactive thyroid, where TSH is low and T3 and T4 are normal to high.
Common symptoms of hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid) include fatigue, feeling cold, often cold hands, feet, and tip of the nose, constipation, dry skin, weight gain or difficulty losing weight, puffy face, hoarseness, muscle weakness, stiff and achy muscles, slowed heart rate, dry and thinning hair, poor memory, and depression.
Instructions
No advance preparation is required for this test. Remember to take ID. with you when going to take a test.