Do not perform anti-TPO (thyroid peroxidase) and anti-Tg (thyroglobulin) antibodies together when autoimmune thyroiditis is suspected, but only anti-TPO.

Do not perform anti-TPO (thyroid peroxidase) and anti-Tg (thyroglobulin) antibodies together when autoimmune thyroiditis is suspected, but only anti-TPO.

Type of practice

Laboratory tests

Age

Adult

Topic Area

Anti-TPO antibodies are useful in the diagnosis of an autoimmune thyroid disease, not in monitoring. Do not retest anti-TPO antibodies when a positive result has already been found.The specificity of anti-Tg antibodies is low. Perform them only when hypothyroidism is suspected and the anti-TPO antibodies are negative. Treatment must be based on TSH concentration not on antibodies concentration.

Sources

1. Sinclair D (2006) Clinical and laboratory aspects of thyroid autoantibodies. Ann Clin Biochem 13: 173-183.
2. Dorizzi RM, Giavarina D, Moghetti P, et al (1997) Anti-TPO and anti-thyroglobulin antibodies or anti-TPO antibodies alone? Clin Endocrinol (Oxf) 46: 235-236.
3. Czarnocka B, Cocks Eschler D, et al. (2014) Thyroid antibodies: thyroid peroxidase and thyroglobulin antibodies. In: Shoenfeld Y, Meroni PL, Gershwin ME, eds Autoantibodies, 3rd ed.Amsterdam Elsevier, 365-373.

Attention. Please note that these items are provided only for information and are not intended as a substitute for consultation with a clinician. Patients with any specific questions about the items on this list or their individual situation should consult their clinician.