HomeAnswersEndocrinologyand autoimmune thyroiditis (ait)I have an elevated thyroglobulin antibody. Please help.

What is thyroglobulin antibody test?

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The following is an actual conversation between an iCliniq user and a doctor that has been reviewed and published as a Premium Q&A.

Answered by

Dr. Divakara. P

Medically reviewed by

iCliniq medical review team

Published At July 26, 2018
Reviewed AtFebruary 9, 2024

Patient's Query

Hi doctor,

I just received a test back from my immunologist and I am trying to understand what it means. I am suffering from fatigue and chronic sinusitis. I have CVID and get infusions every three weeks. I have been having adverse reactions to the infusions. So, they ran several tests and this is one that came up. Before seven months, it was completely normal. Just want to understand what this mean. Thyroglobulin antibody measured by Beckman Coulter Methodology. The value is 12.9 IU/mL (0.0-0.9) completed high. I have attached the report for your reference. I have low IgG, IgA and IgM.

Answered by Dr. Divakara. P

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

This is a test to detect whether your body is producing antibodies against your thyroid gland. A high value indicates that your body is producing antibodies against your thyroid gland. In simple words, it means your body is itself destroying its own thyroid gland.

Patient's Query

Hi doctor,

What should I do for now? Is it something serious? Are there any other tests I need to take to confirm this?

Answered by Dr. Divakara. P

Hi,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

It is called as autoimmune thyroiditis. There is no treatment for this directly, but because of this if your thyroid gland over function or under function then treatment has to be given accordingly. To know how your thyroid is functioning you need to get free T3 (Triiodothyronine), free T4 (Thyroxine), reverse T3 and TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone) test done. Kindly get these tests done and revert back with reports.

Patient's Query

Hi doctor,

If my TSH levels come back normal would this test mean anything? I am trying to understand whether there must be a correlation or they also can be separate. It sounds like if they did not order the TSH test I should definitely get that done. Could this be a cancer marker? Or could the number be a false positive?

Answered by Dr. Divakara. P

Hi,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

High titer of anti-thyroglobulin antibody indicates that your body is destroying or damaging its own thyroid gland. Now, at what rate this damage is happening determines further course of events and action. In some the rate is so slow that for 10 to 20 years it may not cause any significant derangement in thyroid function. Hence, patient may not have any effects of ongoing damage to thyroid. But, in some the rate may be fast and may result in hyper or hypo function of thyroid which in turn cause symptoms in patients. In that case by taking certain medications this can be controlled but not cured. And in some patients the problem may resolve on own with time. It is also elevated in thyroid cancer and other autoimmuneconditions like rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, Sjogren's etc. Among all thyroiditis is most likely and at present does not need any further tests apart from what I have advised.

Same symptoms don't mean you have the same problem. Consult a doctor now!

Dr. Divakara. P
Dr. Divakara. P

Internal Medicine

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