Recent advances in laboratory tests for autoantibodies to thyrotropin receptor protein in Graves' disease

Graves' disease is characterized by the presence of autoantibodies with variable reactivities to TSH receptor protein. These autoantibodies are heterogeneous in nature and may act as TSH agonists or infrequently as TSH antagonists (blocking antibodies). With new technical advances, it has become possible to quantitate these antibodies and their reactivities in clinical laboratories. Technical aspects of these assays and their clinical utility in the diagnosis and management of patients with Graves' disease are discussed.