[Thyroglobulin: usefulness and limits in monitoring patients with thyroid carcinoma]

The aim of this study was to assess the role of thyroglobulin in monitoring patients with differentiated thyroid carcinoma.

We retrospectively sudied thirty patients who had total thyroidectomy and had been followed beteween 1999 and 2004 in nuclear medicine department. They have had iodine 131 whole body scans, repeated determination of thyroglobulin, thyreostimulin and thyroglobulin antibodies.

One hundred twelve samples of thyroglobulin were done. In post surgical period thyroglobulin was ranging from 0.3 to 600 ng/ml. In 38 months follow up 4 patients (11.4%) had shown reccurent disease. Thyroglobulin sensitivity was 75%. One patient had diffuse lung metastases with high thyroglobulin level 600 ng/ml wich decreased after iodine 131 therapy.

Serum thyroglobulin is the differentiated thyroid carcinoma marker of choice nevertheless one should establish the level of thyroid stimulation and seek for the antithyroglobulin antibodies.