[Effect of estrogens on the value of serum thyroglobulin]

Serum thyroglobulin (TG) is considered as a useful index of differentiated thyroid carcinoma evolution. Previous studies have suggested that TG levels might be dependent upon oestrogens. Here TG levels were determined in volunteers , free of any thyroid disease, divided into 5 groups according to estrogen level. Results (mean +/- s.d.) indicated that Tg levels in men group A (n = 9): 6,6 +/- 2,8 ng/ml in women undergoing oestroprogestagen treatment group B (n = 10) 3,7 +/- 1,5 ng/ml; in women free of oestroprogestaten treatment group C (n = 10): 5,9 +/- 4,0 ng/ml; in pregnant women group D (n = 40): 4,6 +/- 2,7 ng/ml, and in parturient women group E (n = 4): 7,2 +/- 2,2 ng/ml; were not correlated to estrogen levels. However, in a group where thyroid gland was not carefully examined i.c. a "blood doners group", a difference (p less than 0,005) was found between women (29 +/- 15) and men (14 +/- 9). Sex and estrogen levels there fore do not influence the TG index which as a result can be used in the monitoring of thyroid carcinoma in pregnant women.