Autoantibodies called thyroglobulin antibodies (TgAb) are made by the immune system and are directed against thyroglobulin, a protein necessary for the synthesis of thyroid hormones. The quantity of thyroglobulin antibodies in the blood is quantified by their thyroglobulin antibody count.

As there should be no major immune reaction against thyroglobulin, a low level of thyroglobulin antibodies is often regarded as normal. This may be viewed as encouraging evidence that the thyroid gland is not being targeted by the body’s immune system. In autoimmune thyroid illnesses such as Hashimoto’s thyroiditis and Graves’ disease, elevated thyroglobulin antibody levels are frequently reported.

Autoimmune thyroid illness, and in particular Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, is frequently associated with elevated levels of the thyroglobulin antibody (TgAb). High TgAb levels are associated with inflammation and damage to the thyroid gland caused by the immune system’s attack on the thyroglobulin protein. Hypothyroidism, in which the thyroid gland is underactive and generates too little thyroid hormone, is a possible outcome.