What does it mean when anti-Tg is elevated?

Anti-Tg clinically refers to anti-thyroglobulin antibodies. Elevated levels of anti-thyroglobulin antibodies may be caused by unhealthy lifestyle habits, subacute thyroiditis, Hashimoto's thyroiditis, goiter, hyperthyroidism, and other conditions. Patients should promptly visit a reputable medical facility for evaluation and receive treatment based on their specific condition. Detailed analysis is as follows:

1. Unhealthy Lifestyle Habits

If patients have long-term habits such as smoking or excessive alcohol consumption, the thyroid gland may be stimulated, which can lead to increased levels of thyroid peroxidase antibodies and consequently cause the aforementioned issues. It is recommended that patients modify these unhealthy behaviors by quitting smoking and abstaining from alcohol.

2. Subacute Thyroiditis

This condition is often associated with bacterial or viral infections of the thyroid gland. Such infections may trigger a hypersensitive response from the immune system, prompting the thyroid to produce large amounts of anti-thyroglobulin antibodies to eliminate or suppress pathogen growth, resulting in the above-mentioned abnormalities. Symptoms may also include fever, chills, and muscle pain. Under medical guidance, patients may use medications such as enteric-coated aspirin tablets, prednisone acetate tablets, and levothyroxine sodium tablets for treatment.

3. Hashimoto's Thyroiditis

Hashimoto's thyroiditis is an autoimmune disorder. The immune system triggers excessive production of anti-thyroglobulin antibodies, which mistakenly attack the thyroid gland, leading to persistently elevated levels of anti-thyroglobulin antibodies in the blood. Additional symptoms may include painless thyroid enlargement, difficulty swallowing, and vocal cord paralysis. Patients may follow medical advice to take medications such as ibuprofen sustained-release tablets, thyroid tablets, or Xiaojin tablets to improve symptoms.

4. Goiter

Goiter is a neoplastic lesion of the thyroid gland. During rapid proliferation of hyperplastic tissue, normal thyroid tissue may be repeatedly stimulated, causing thyroid dysfunction and resulting in the aforementioned problems. In severe cases, patients may also experience irritability, insomnia, palpitations, fatigue, and heat intolerance. Under medical supervision, patients may use alfacalcidol soft capsules, vitamin D drops, or Prunella vulgaris capsules for treatment.

5. Hyperthyroidism

If patients are under prolonged mental stress, it may lead to excessive secretion of thyroid hormones, triggering hyperthyroidism and causing the aforementioned abnormalities. Other symptoms may include increased frequency of bowel movements, diarrhea, and persistent tachycardia. Patients may follow medical instructions to take oral medications such as methimazole tablets, propylthiouracil tablets, and propranolol hydrochloride tablets to manage symptoms.

If any abnormalities are detected during examination, it is recommended to promptly cooperate with doctors for more detailed evaluations to determine the exact cause and receive targeted treatment.