What does a thyroglobulin look for specifically? reoccurrence of thyroid ca?

Monitoring: Thyroglobulin testing may be used, along with a TSH test, prior to thyroid cancer treatment to determine whether the cancer is producing thyroglobulin. If it is, then the test can be ordered at intervals after treatment to monitor for cancer recurrence.

Thyroglobulin: This is a protein in the thyroid gland that T3 (liothyronine) and T4 are atttached to. Various processes that damage the thyroid gland such as tumor or inflammatory conditions like thyroiditis can cause the thyroglobulin to be released into the blood stream.

Thyroid ca thyroglob: If you had a total thyroidectomy followed by RAI, there should be no thyroid left-neither normal thyroid nor cancer. Thyroglobulin is made by thyroid (both normal and cancer) and therefore is a good marker for cancer recurrence. But if there is still normal thyroid left, thyroglobulin cannot be used as a tumor marker.