Thyroglobulin and Thyroglobulin Antibodies

Background:

Thyroglobulin is a tumour marker used for monitoring of differentiated thyroid cancer. It is exclusively produced by the thyroid gland, therefore levels should be undetectable following thyroidectomy for thyroid cancer. An increase in thyroglobulin following thyroidectomy may be a sign of disease recurrence.

The presence of thyroglobulin antibodies in a sample may cause assay interference, typically leading to falsely low results. Thyroglobulin antibodies are therefore measured on each sample and antibody levels greater than or equal to 20 IU/ml are sent for a referral laboratory for confirmation by radioimmunoassay.

Available to Oncology only.

Thyroglobulin testing is performed in the local lab on Fridays only. 

Reference Ranges

Reference ranges do not apply to this test. Levels should be undetectable following thyroidectomy and results should be used to assess trends.

Other Comments:

For more information, please see the following: Thyroglobulin - Lab Tests Online

Confirmatory radioimmunoassay thyroglobulin analysis for antibody positive samples are sent to Clinical Laboratory Services, Level 1 Clinical Biochemistry, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham, Mindelsohn Way, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2WB

Age/gender specific reference ranges provided by referral laboratory