Abstract
A new commercially available kit for thyroglobulin (Tg) measurement [immunoradiometric assay (IRMA) system based on monoclonal antibodies] was used in 479 patients with thyroid carcinoma. The effective working range was 1 ng/ml, and results were strongly correlated with our homemade radioimmunoassay (RIA). This IRMA method is less susceptible to interferences of auto-antibodies than our RIA. During thyroxine (T4) treatment, the Tg level was undetectable in 98% of patients after total thyroid ablation, in 91% after total thyroidectomy and in 42% after lobectomy only. In this situation, Tg was found in all patients with large metastases and in 88% of those with small metastases. Following T4 withdrawal, Tg was detectable in all patients with neoplastic disease and in 13% of those in complete remission after total thyroid ablation. In conclusion, Tg measured with this IRMA method appears to be a reliable marker of differentiated thyroid carcinoma.
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Schlumberger, M., Fragu, P., Gardet, P. et al. A new immunoradiometric assay (IRMA) system for thyroglobulin measurement in the follow-up of thyroid cancer patients. Eur J Nucl Med 18, 153–157 (1991). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02262724
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02262724