Serum thyroglobulin measurement - Utility in clinical practice

Serum thyroglobulin levels play a crucial role in the diagnosis and managem ent of several thyroid disorders. This is particularly the case in the mana gement of patients with differentiated thyroid cancer. Rational interpretat ion of serum thyroglobulin (TG) levels requires a working knowledge of the serum TG assay and its limitations. The ability to stimulate TC with rhTSH during thyroid hormone suppression and to measure TG mRNA from peripheral b lood holds promise for improvement in the management of thyroid cancer pati ents over the next decade. This article will review the clinical use of ser um TG in several thyroid disorders, with particular emphasis on the managem ent of differentiated thyroid cancer. Thyroglobulin assay limitations and p otential solutions to these problems also are discussed.