WHAT IS A THYROID STIMULATING IMMUNOGLOBULINS TESTThe thyroid is a small, butterfly-shaped gland in the front of the neck. GRAVE’S DISEASE: is an autoimmune disorder that causes hyperthyroidism or overactive thyroid. In this disease, the immune system attacks the thyroid and causes it to make more thyroid hormone than the body needs.In the presence of Graves’ disease, there are chances to develop other autoimmune diseases such as type I diabetes or Addison’s disease. Women are more likely to develop Graves’ disease than men.
WHAT DOES THE TEST MEASURE?
This is a blood test by which we can measure the levels of thyroid-stimulating immunoglobulin in the blood. TSI is a form of immunoglobulin that can bind to thyrotropin (TSH) receptors on the thyroid gland. Thyroid-stimulating immunoglobulin mimic’s action of TSH, causing excess secretion of thyroxine and triiodothyronine. High levels of TSI indicate the presence of Grave’s disease
INTERPRETATION OF THE RESULT:
NORMAL RESULT:
TSI test results are in the form of a percentage or TSI index. Usually, a TSI index of less than 1.3, or 130 percent, is considered normal.
ABNORMAL RESULT:
High levels of TSI indicate:
- Grave’s disease
- Hashitoxicosis: inflammation and swelling of the thyroid gland
NEONATAL THYROTOXICOSIS: in which the baby suffers from high levels of thyroid hormones at birth because of high levels of thyroid hormones in the mothers.