Thyroglobulin Test: Why It Is Done, How It Works, and What the Results Tell You
The thyroglobulin test is a blood test used mainly to monitor people who have been treated for thyroid cancer. It measures the amount of thyroglobulin, a protein made by thyroid cells. This protein plays an important role in producing thyroid hormones that regulate metabolism and energy levels. After thyroid cancer treatment, such as thyroid surgery or radioactive iodine therapy, doctors expect thyroglobulin levels to become very low or undetectable. If the level rises again, it may suggest that thyroid tissue or cancer cells are still present in the body. Because of this, doctors often use the thyroglobulin test as a tumor marker to track recovery and detect possible recurrence early. What Does the Thyroglobulin Test Measure? The thyroglobulin test measures the amount of thyroglobulin protein present in the bloodstream. Thyroglobulin is produced by cells of the thyroid gland and is used to make thyroid hormones called T3 and T4 . These hormones control important body functions...