Increasing Thyroglobulin After Thyroid Cancer - Why and What to Do

In this video, Dr. Clayman discusses that an increase in thyroglobulin is just a number but it requires further evaluation. Thyroglobulin is a protein made by thyroid cells and your thyroglobulin level may fluctuate over time. Different laboratories may also have different results for thyroglobulin so comparison of the numbers may not always be reliable. If not all of your thyroid was removed during your thyroid cancer surgery, or you were not treated with radioactive iodine after the operation, there may be a little bit of thyroid tissue that is producing the thyroglobulin. Thus, having some thyroglobulin in your blood doesn’t always mean the cancer has returned. However, if your thyroglobulin number was zero after your thyroid cancer operation and has now increased, then a high-definition ultrasound of the neck should be obtained. Any abnormalities found on ultrasound can undergo needle biopsy. A CAT scan of the neck with contrast and CAT scan of the chest can also be considered to evaluate other areas that thyroid cancer can be detected that would not be detected on the ultrasound study. Get the best and most experienced thyroid cancer surgeon-make sure your next thyroid cancer operation is your last one.