What is a normal thyroglobulin tumor marker after thyroidectomy?
As a guide, one gram of normal thyroid tissue is equivalent to 1 ng/mL of TG in serum in euthyroid state; in a TSH suppressed state, this is equivalent to 0.5 ng/mL. After total thyroidectomy, theoretically, the level has to drop to zero because no thyroid tissue is expected to leave behind after total thyroidectomy.
Can thyroglobulin fluctuate after thyroidectomy?
After thyroidectomy and removal of most of the normal thyroid cells, blood levels of thyroglobulin fall and are often undetectable. Blood thyroglobulin levels are used to detect thyroid cancer recurrence, as an increase after thyroidectomy likely comes from thyroid cancer cells.
What is considered a high thyroglobulin level?
If your thyroglobulin range is “detectable” (this means it is – 5 ug/L or above), there is likely some normal thyroid tissue or cancerous tissue found. If your thyroglobulin range rises with time, and your TSH does not rise, there is likely some thyroid cancer which is growing.
Why would thyroglobulin go up?
Thyroglobulin is produced in all healthy individuals, and normally its level in blood is low. Thyroglobulin levels increase in both benign (Graves disease, subacute thyroiditis, Hashimoto thyroiditis) and thyroid cancer.
What does low thyroglobulin indicate?
If thyroglobulin levels stay the same or increase after treatment, it may mean there are still thyroid cancer cells in the body. If thyroglobulin levels decrease or disappear after treatment, it may mean there are no normal or cancerous thyroid cells left in the body.
Do thyroglobulin levels fluctuate?
Serum Tg was measured and compared to imaging findings. After treatment initiation, serum Tg levels dropped in all patients with a median reduction of 86.2%. During long-term follow-up (median, 25.2 months), fluctuations in Tg could be observed in 8/9 subjects.
What happens if thyroglobulin is low?
If thyroglobulin levels decrease or disappear after treatment, it may mean there are no normal or cancerous thyroid cells left in the body.
What is a normal anti thyroglobulin level?
Antithyroglobulin antibody testing is used in the evaluation for thyroid problems. Antithyroglobulin is not normally found in the blood stream. However, 10-20% of healthy individuals have detectable antithyroglobulin levels. The reference range value for antithyroglobulin is less than 116 IU/mL.
Why are TSH levels important after a thyroidectomy?
Its role is to stimulate the thyroid to produce thyroid hormone. When you have a thyroidectomy, you lose the ability to produce thyroid hormone on your own. However, TSH is still produced by the pituitary gland. Without a thyroid, the pituitary gland produces more TSH than normal and a blood test will reveal a high TSH level.
What can cause high thyroglobulin levels?
Thyroid cancer often causes the level of thyroglobulin in the blood to rise. Problems with the thyroid gland may cause high blood pressure. Thyroglobulin is a protein that is essential to production of thyroid hormones.
What do high thyroglobulin levels indicate?
If you have high levels of antithyroglobulin antibodies in your blood, it may be a sign of serious autoimmune disorder , such as Graves’ disease or Hashimoto thyroiditis . In some cases, you may have antithyroglobulin antibodies in your blood without any specific complications.
What is life like after thyroid cancer?
More than 90% of patients who are treated for papillary or follicular cancer will live for 15 years or longer after the diagnosis of thyroid cancer. Eighty percent of patients with medullary thyroid cancer will live for at least 10 years after surgery. Only 3-17% of patients with anaplastic cancer survive for five years.