Thyroid Research Thyroid Research Archive Thyroid Diagnosis

Serum thyroglobulin concentrations increase after biopsy of a thyroid nodule

(November 2006)

The background of the study. Thyroglobulin is a unique product of the thyroid gland, and many thyroid disorders result in high serum thyroglobulin concentrations. In this study, serum thyroglobulin was measured after biopsy and after palpation of the thyroid in patients who had thyroid nodules.

How the study was done. Fifty women with thyroid nodules and 15 normal women were studied. None had any symptoms, and all had normal thyroid function. Serum thyroglobulin was measured before and 60 minutes and 15 days after fine-needle aspiration of a thyroid nodule in 25 of the women with thyroid nodules (biopsy group), before and 60 minutes after palpation of the thyroid in the other 25 women with thyroid nodules (palpation group), and twice, at a 60-minute interval, in the 15 normal women (normal group).

The results of the study. The average serum thyroglobulin value in the biopsy group was 113 ng/ml before and 341 ng/ml 60 minutes after the biopsy, and it was 109 ng/ml 15 days later (Figure). The mean base-line and 60-minute values in the palpation group were 69 and 70 ng/ml, respectively. The mean base-line and 60-minute values in the normal women were 19 ng/ml.

The conclusions of the study. In women with thyroid nodules serum thyroglobulin concentrations rise markedly soon after biopsy of a nodule, but the concentrations do not change after palpation of the thyroid

The original article. Luboshitzky R, Lavi I, Ishay A. Serum thyroglobulin levels after fine-needle aspiration of thyroid nodules. Endocr Pract 2006;12:264-9.