[Comparison of 2 methods for determination of antibodies to thyroglobulin in clinical practice]

The authors compared the results of two methods for the estimation of antibodies against thyroglobulin: the principle of the Thymune-T test (Wellcome) is a haemagglutination method; parallel examinations were made by the author's modification of the radiochemical coprecipitation test (RCT). The laboratory results were evaluated in a large clinical group of patients with different types of thyroid disease. It was confirmed that the haemagglutination method gives more frequently positive results than the radiochemical test, in particular in the range of low titres. The chi square test provided, however, evidence that between methods a significant correlation exists. Although the results of the two tests are not necessarily identical in individual patients, it may be stated that RCT is an adequate method of choice, as it is simpler, more rapid and cheaper, and that it can be done in large series with objective automated evaluation of data.