tiroglobulinhoz

Thyroglobulin is a large glycoprotein produced by follicular cells of the thyroid gland. It serves as a precursor for the synthesis of thyroid hormones, namely thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3). Thyroglobulin is stored in the colloid within thyroid follicles.

The synthesis of thyroglobulin involves the iodination of tyrosine residues on the thyroglobulin molecule, followed by coupling of these iodinated tyrosines to form T4 and T3. When stimulated by thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), the thyroid follicular cells reabsorb thyroglobulin from the colloid and break it down to release T4 and T3 into the bloodstream.

Measuring serum thyroglobulin levels is a common practice in clinical medicine, particularly for monitoring patients with differentiated thyroid cancer (papillary and follicular types) after thyroidectomy. A decrease in thyroglobulin levels post-surgery generally indicates successful removal of thyroid tissue, while a rising or persistently high level can suggest residual disease or recurrence. However, thyroglobulin levels can also be elevated in various benign thyroid conditions, such as hyperthyroidism, thyroiditis, and goiter. In individuals with intact thyroid glands, thyroglobulin levels reflect the overall amount of thyroid tissue. Antibodies to thyroglobulin can also be present and may interfere with the accuracy of the measurement, necessitating specific assays or interpretation.