Large Discrepancy in the Results of Sensitive Measurements of Thyroglobulin Antibodies in the Follow-Up on Thyroid Cancer: A Diagnostic Dilemma

Birte Nygaard, Jens Oscar Faber, Jens Bentzen

    Abstract

    During follow-up on patients treated for differentiated thyroid
    cancer, thyroglobulin (Tg) antibodies can interfere with
    the Tg assay, making the use of Tg less reliable as a tumor
    marker. Purpose: To compare Tg and Tg autoantibodies (Tg-
    Ab) methods used in Denmark, regarding the number of patient
    samples being accepted for evaluating the result of a
    serum thyroglobulin (s-Tg) measurement. Design: 95 consecutive
    blood samples drawn from patients in 2006 in one
    center were selected according to the following criteria:
    s-Tg ! 1g/l and accepted BRAHMS Tg+ recovery test using
    50 ng of Tg. Samples were retested with: (1) DPC IMMULITE
    2000 Tg and Tg-Ab, (2) BRAHMS Tg and Tg-Ab on Kryptor, (3)
    BRAHMS Tg+ and Dynotest anti-Tg, (4) DELFIA hTg and recovery
    test using 25 ng of Tg, and (5) BRAHMS Tg+ with recovery
    test using 1 and 50 ng of Tg. Results: The number of patient
    samples that was not accepted for Tg evaluation varied from 2 to 26% when the reference values suggested by the manufacturers
    of the assay were used. When using the detection
    limit to the cutoff seen in epidemiological studies the number
    increased to 40%. Conclusion: We found large discrepancies
    in acceptance of patient samples for s-Tg evaluation,
    thus illustrating a diagnostic dilemma.
    Original languageEnglish
    JournalEuropean Thyroid Journal
    Volume1
    Pages (from-to)193-197
    Number of pages5
    ISSN2235-0640
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 2012

    Fingerprint

    Dive into the research topics of 'Large Discrepancy in the Results of Sensitive Measurements of Thyroglobulin Antibodies in the Follow-Up on Thyroid Cancer: A Diagnostic Dilemma'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

    Cite this