Thyroid autoantibodies

Although assays to detect thyroid autoantibodies have been available for mo re than 40 years, their place in the clinical management of thyroid disease has remained controversial; however, novel automated detection techniques using recombinant antigens are increasing the sensitivity and specificity o f the assays, particularly for antibodies to the TSH receptor. In addition, new antigenic targets have been defined including the sodium-iodide sympor ter and four eye muscle proteins targeted in Craves' ophthalmopathy. This a rticle summarizes the immunobiology, assay methodology and prevalence in th yroid diseases of each of the major thyroid autoantibodies before discussin g the clinical indications fo; their use in thyroid diseases.