Abstract

It has been reported in recent years that elevated thyroglobulin antibody (TgAb) values can be associated with thyroid malignancy. The aim of this study is to determine whether serum TgAb have a predictive role in thyroid cancer in patients with thyroid nodules. The crossed study included 100 patients with scintigraphic cold thyroid nodules divided in two groups. Demographic data, TgAb levels and final histopathological findings were recorded.  The first group consisted of 50 patients with histopathological verified malignant nodules and the second group of 50 patients with histopathological verified benign nodules. TgAb were estimated by the radio-immunity assay (RIA) method. The median  ​​of TgAb in the group with benign nodules were 14.3 (10-32) IU / mL and in the group with malignant nodules 42.9 (13-156) IU / mL. TgAb values ​​were significantly higher in patients with malignant nodules (p = 0.02 The increase in values ​​of TgAb by 1 IU / mL increased the risk for malignancy by 0.7%. The cut-off for TgAb of > 35 IU / mL discriminates between diagnosis of the malignant and benign thyroid nodule.  TgAb of > 35 IU / mL, with a sensitivity of 56% and a specificity of 78%, was found to be a limit value for predicting malignant thyroid lesion. TgAb serum values ​​were predictor of malignant thyroid lesion  and their preoperative measurement in combination with other risk factors could assist in preoperative diagnosis in patients with cytological indeterminant thyroid nodules.