Anti Thyroglobulin Antibody Test

The thyroid gland is essentially a small butterfly-shaped gland located in the front of the neck. It performs a variety of important functions. The functions include producing hormones that regulate metabolism and help in the growth and development of the body.

Thyroglobulin is a protein produced by the thyroid gland that helps in the production of the thyroid hormones, namely thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3).

The immune system is a collection of glands, cells and organs that work together to protect the human body from foreign bodies. This system includes white blood cells and lymph nodes, as well as the tonsils, spleen, bone marrow, gastrointestinal tract and skin. Foreign bodies such as bacteria, viruses, chemicals, parasites, etc., are the most common threats to the human immune system.

Antibodies are essentially proteins produced by the body’s immune system that bind to proteins present in any foreign matter. Many parts of the body, including the thyroid, ‌can be affected by autoimmune disorders. When the immune system attacks the proteins in the body cells, even though they are neither harmful nor foreign, an autoimmune condition results.

When the immune system detects a foreign protein in thyroglobulin proteins, it produces antibodies to combat the threat. An Anti Thyroglobulin Antibody Test is necessary to check for an autoimmune thyroid disorder or if a doctor suspects a thyroid problem.

Other names of Anti Thyroglobulin Test

Thyroid antibody test, TG (Thyroglobulin) antibody test, Anti TG antibody.

What does the Anti-Tg test measure/detect and who is this prescribed for?

A thyroglobulin antibodies test is used to diagnose thyroid-related autoimmune diseases. It aids in the diagnosis of Hashimoto's disease, postpartum thyroiditis, neonatal hypothyroidism and Graves' disease, which are autoimmune thyroid diseases.

This test is usually recommended for adults who have symptoms of hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid) or an enlarged thyroid gland and your doctor feels you may have a thyroid problem such as Graves’ disease or thyroiditis. The Anti Thyroglobulin Antibody Test determines the antibodies to thyroglobulin produced in the body.

This test may be recommended for children if they have symptoms of a thyroid problem, such as thyroiditis (thyroid inflammation) or a goitre (an enlarged thyroid) or if blood tests for T3, T4 or thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) revealed abnormalities.

Before surgery to remove the thyroid gland for cancer, a thyroglobulin test may be prescribed. It is also recommended after therapy to see if any normal or cancerous thyroid tissue may have been left behind. After surgery, this test is frequently required on a monthly basis to ensure that cancer has not returned or spread.

If you experience symptoms of a thyroid issue, such as exhaustion, unexplained weight gain, constipation or dry skin, your doctor may request an antithyroglobulin test.

To check for thyroglobulin antibodies, a blood sample is required. The presence of a large number of antibodies in the blood denotes that the thyroid is not functioning properly.

The antibody test levels should be in the range of <60.00 IU/mL. The reference range may vary from lab to lab.

This blood test looks for the presence of antibodies produced in response to thyroglobulin by a body.

• Tg levels less than 0.1 ng/mL must be interpreted in combination with TSH levels, repeated Tg readings and radioiodine ablation status. A value of less than 0.1 ng/mL in athyreotic patients indicates a low probability of clinically detectable papillary/follicular thyroid cancer (1-2%).
• Tg levels ranging from 0.1 to 2.0 ng/mL indicate a low risk of recurrent papillary/follicular thyroid cancer that is clinically identifiable.
• Tg values ranging from 2.1 to 9.9 ng/mL in patients on suppressive medication indicate a higher risk of recurrent papillary/follicular thyroid cancer.
• Tg values less than 10 ng/mL in patients on suppressive medication indicate a high probability of clinically detectable recurrent papillary/follicular thyroid cancer (>25%).

Anti Thyroglobulin antibodies are identified in your blood if you get a positive test. They may be present with the following conditions:

• Graves’ disease or an overactive thyroid
• Hashimoto thyroiditis
• Subacute thyroiditis
• Underactive thyroid
• Systemic lupus erythematosus
• Type 1 diabetes

Antibodies for these proteins can be seen in pregnant women and the family members of people with autoimmune thyroiditis. It may be more difficult to assess thyroglobulin levels if one has a positive test for antithyroglobulin antibodies. Thyroglobulin levels are a crucial blood test for determining the possibility of thyroid cancer recurrence.

To check for thyroglobulin antibodies, a blood sample is required. The presence of a large number of antibodies in the blood denotes that the thyroid is not functioning properly.

Test Preparation

If your doctor prescribes an Anti Thyroglobulin test, fasting of 8-10 hours is required (usually overnight) for the test; water is allowed during this period. As certain medicines may alter the test findings, the doctor may monitor their course or tell the patient to stop taking the medicines for a short time before the test.

For the test, a nurse or lab technician will draw blood from a vein. The sample is then sent to a laboratory for analysis.

If the test results reveal a high level of antithyroglobulin antibodies, the doctor will recommend the person undergo other tests for certain conditions. These tests will help identify the patient’s complete health condition.

Test inclusions: What parameters are included?

One should get an Anti Thyroglobulin Antibody Test under the following conditions:

• Experiencing hyperthyroidism symptoms, including sweating, high heart rate, tremors, anxiety, weight loss or bulging eyes.

• Experiencing hypothyroidism symptoms, including weight gain, fatigue, constipation or cold intolerance.

• To determine the effectiveness of thyroid cancer treatment before and after it is completed.

• To keep track of thyroid cancer recurrence.

• There is a higher risk of thyroid dysfunction or other autoimmune diseases.

Antithyroglobulin antibodies may indicate the presence of conditions such as Lupus, Grave's disease or Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, often known as Hashimoto's disease. One could also have Type 1 diabetes, thyroiditis, thyroid cancer or thyroid nodules if she/he experiences these symptoms.

The following symptoms may occur due to a thyroid problem:

• Nervousness or anxiety
• Inability to sleep
• Persistent fatigue
• Heat or cold sensitivity
• ‌Inability to concentrate
• ‌Gaining or losing weight
• Tremors ‌or muscle weakness
• ‌Dryness of hair
• ‌Hoarseness of voice
• ‌Vision issues, such as irritated eyes
• Heavy, ‌frequent menstrual periods

Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, Graves’ disease, Postpartum thyroiditis, Neonatal hypothyroidism