Antibodies to thyroglobulin - this is the main parameter of the detection of autoimmune thyroid diseases, such as atrophic autoimmune thyroiditis, Hashimoto's disease, diffuse toxic goiter, etc.
What is thyroglobulin?
Actually, thyroglobulin is a glycoprotein, which is part of the colloid of follicles of the thyroid gland. It performs the function of a propeptide in the synthesis of thyroid hormones. In simple words, thyroglobulin can be characterized as a protein that is located inside the follicles of the thyroid gland. In the process of secretion of hormones thyroglobulin in a small amount falls into the blood. According to certain, unknown medicine, the reasons, it can become an autoantigen, to which the body begins to produce antibodies. Antibodies, connecting with the receptors of thyroglobulin, begin to mimic the action of the hormone. In this case, the thyroid gland begins to supply the body with hormones in large quantities, disrupting metabolism and the work of the heart.
Antibodies to thyroglobulin are determined for the purpose of early diagnosis of thyroid diseases. So, how they can block thyroglobulin, while disrupting the normal synthesis of thyroid hormones. When antibodies to thyroglobulin are increased, it can cause inflammation of the thyroid gland, hypothyroidism or, on the contrary, overly stimulate the gland and cause its hyperfunction ( hyperthyroidism ).
Antibodies to thyroglobulin - the norm
The antibodies to thyroglobulin are any value of U / ml in the range from 0 to 18. Therefore, it can be concluded that antibodies to thyroglobulin are not lowered.
Antibodies to thyroglobulin above the norm may be found in people who are absolutely healthy. In this case, in men antibodies to thyroglobulin are increased much more rarely than in women, especially women of advanced age.
How to determine the amount of antibodies to thyroglobulin?
The amount of antibodies to thyroglobulin in the body is established by analyzing the blood from the ulnar vein. This analysis is assigned to a certain category of people, namely:
- patients with hypothyroidism (subclinical or apparent) to identify the cause of its appearance;
- to determine the cause of the increase in the size of the thyroid gland;
- patients receiving interferon and lithium drugs, amiodarone. Patients in whom antibodies to thyroglobulin are increased, on the background of taking these drugs can also get thyroid disease;
- fuddled, if the mother has antibodies to thyroglobulin above the norm.
Due to the analysis for antibodies to thyroglobulin it is possible to evaluate the functions of the thyroid gland, to establish the nature of its disease and the degree of pathological process, to reveal hereditary diseases.
Antibodies to thyroglobulin are above normal
If antibodies to thyroglobulin are increased, the reasons may be the presence of the following diseases:
- subacute or chronic thyroiditis (40-70% of patients), Hashimoto's thyroiditis (97% of patients);
- Graves' disease (51% of patients);
- idiopathic myxedema (95% of patients);
- hypothyroidism (70% of patients);
- diffuse toxic goiter (40% of patients);
- untreated differentiated thyroid follicular and papillary carcinomas (nonmedullary carcinomas (15-30% of patients);
- other autoimmune pathologies, including pernicious anemia.
In addition, if antibodies to thyroglobulin are increased slightly, this may indicate the presence of chromosomal abnormalities, in particular, Down syndrome or Turner syndrome.
The likelihood of reducing the level of antibodies to thyroglobulin in the body by taking medications is very low. In modern medicine, if antibodies to thyroglobulin are increased, treatment, in order to bring their level in the body in the norm is not assigned. So, the use of hemosorption, plasmapheresis, corticosteroids, "immunomodulators" is useless and, even, dangerous. The appointment of l-thyroxine is also not justified. The disease itself is exposed to treatment, provoked by the increase in the body of the level of antibodies to thyroglobulin. The test for antibodies to thyroglobulin is prescribed only for the purpose of stating or refuting the diagnosis, and in no way for evaluating the effectiveness of treatment. The converse says that they want to earn money on the patient, so be careful.