<P> Thyroglobulin antibodies are specific for thyroglobulin, a 660kDa matrix protein involved in the process of thyroid hormone production . They are found in 70% of Hashimoto's thyroiditis, 60% of idiopathic hypothyroidism, 30% of Graves' disease, a small proportion of thyroid carcinoma and 3% of normal individuals . Anti-TPO antibodies are present in 99% of cases where thyroglobulin antibodies are present, however only 35% of anti-TPO antibody positive cases also demonstrate thyroglobulin antibodies . </P> <P> Anti-Na / I symporter antibodies are a more recent discovery of possible thyroid autoantibodies and their role in thyroid disease remains uncertain . They are present in approximately 20% of Graves' disease and 24% of Hashimoto's thyroiditis . </P> <P> The production of antibodies in Graves' disease is thought to arise by activation of CD4+ T - cells, followed by B - cell recruitment into the thyroid . These B - cells produce antibodies specific to the thyroid antigens . In Hashimoto's thyroiditis, activated CD4+ T - cells produce interferon - γ, causing the thyroid cells to display MHC class II molecules . This expands the autoreactive T - cell repertoire and prolongs the inflammatory response . </P> <P> While anti-thyroid antibodies are used to track the presence of autoimmune thyroiditis, they are generally not considered to contribute directly to the destruction of the thyroid . </P>

Microsomal (tpo) antibody titre serum by cmia