To investigate the association between serum thyroglobulin (Tg) levels and thyroid function in patients with varying thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels, emphasizing its clinical relevance.
Key Findings:
The low-TSH group had significantly higher serum Tg levels compared to normal-TSH and high-TSH groups (p < 0.01).
Elevated Tg levels were observed exclusively in the low-TSH group among patients positive for TRAb or TSAb (p < 0.01).
Tg levels were positively correlated with the FT3/FT4 ratio in the low-TSH group (rho = 0.62, p < 0.01), especially in patients positive for both TRAb and TSAb (rho = 0.71, p < 0.01).
Interpretation:
Serum Tg levels may indicate biochemical features consistent with T3 predominance in autoimmune hyperthyroidism, suggesting potential clinical utility in understanding disease pathophysiology and guiding treatment decisions.
Limitations:
The study was retrospective and conducted in a single center, which may limit generalizability.
Exclusion of patients without simultaneous measurements may introduce selection bias, and potential confounding factors were not controlled for.
Conclusion:
Serum Tg levels can provide insights into thyroid function, particularly in low-TSH conditions, and may aid in characterizing autoimmune hyperthyroidism, highlighting the need for further research in diverse clinical settings.
