Lifespan's A - Z Health Information Library

Antithyroglobulin antibody is a test to measure antithyroglobulin antibodies in the blood. Thyroglobulin is a protein that is present in thyroid cells.

Blood is drawn from a vein, usually from the inside of the elbow or the back of the hand. The puncture site is cleaned with antiseptic, and a band or blood pressure cuff is placed around the upper arm to apply pressure and cause the veins below the band to swell.

A needle is inserted into the vein, and the blood is collected in an air-tight vial or a syringe. During the procedure, the band is removed to restore circulation. Once the blood has been collected, the needle is removed, and the puncture site is covered to stop any bleeding.

In infants or young children:

The area is cleaned with antiseptic and punctured with a sharp needle or a lancet. The blood may be collected in a pipette (small glass tube), on a slide, onto a test strip, or into a small container. A bandage may be applied to the puncture site if there is any continued bleeding.

Usually, you will be asked to refrain from eating (and sometimes drinking) overnight. Medications that may interfere with correct results will be monitored or discontinued until after the test.

When the needle is inserted to draw blood, some people feel moderate pain, while others feel only a prick or stinging sensation. Afterward, there may be some throbbing.

This test helps to detect possible thyroid problems. Thyroglobulin is a protein that is normally confined to the thyroid gland. It is the source of the thyroxine and triiodothyronine hormones in the body. The presence of autoantibodies to thyroglobulin can lead to the destruction of the thyroid gland. Such antibodies are more likely to appear after trauma to, or inflammation of, the thyroid gland.

A negative test is normal. In other words, no antibodies to thyroglobulin are detected.

A positive test (where antibodies are detected) may be due to:

• Hashimoto's thyroiditis
• Thyrotoxicosis
• Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)
• Hypothyroidism
• Thyroid carcinoma
• Myxedema
• Grave's disease
• Type 1 diabetes

Pregnant women and relatives of patients with autoimmune thyroiditis may also test positive for these antibodies.

• Excessive bleeding
• Fainting or feeling light-headed
• Hematoma (blood accumulating under the skin)
• Infection (a slight risk any time the skin is broken)
• Multiple punctures to locate veins

Veins and arteries vary in size from one patient to another and from one side of the body to the other. Obtaining a blood sample from some people may be more difficult than from others.