ABSTRACT
Thyroglobulin (Tg), a glycoprotein that is synthesized in normal thyroid, is a significant biochemical marker of residual thyroid tissue or recurrent/metastatic disease in differentiated thyroid cancers (DTC). In this manuscript, the metabolic characteristics of Tg and various Tg assay methods were briefly described. The value of Tg concentration in presurgical evaluation of DTC patients, the diagnostic performance of Tg measurement in fine needle aspiration biopsy wash-outs from suspicious lesions, and the role of postoperative stimulated and supressed Tg values in guiding the decision-making process for therapy options and the outcome of ablation were summarized. The value of Tg in clinical management of patients with DTC was analysed according to recent procedure guidelines including debating issues like follow-up of patients with lobectomy or rare clinical pictures like Tg negative tumors.
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