Laboratory diagnostics in suspected diagnosis of Graves’ disease or autoimmune thyreopathy (chronic inflammatory thyroid disease caused by autoimmune processes).
1st-order laboratory parameters-obligatory laboratory tests.
- TSH ↓ (thyroid-stimulating hormone).
- T3 ↑ (triiodothyronine) and T4 ↑ (thyroxine) (in manifest hyperthyroidism).
Laboratory parameters 2nd order – depending on the results of the history, physical examination, etc. – for differential diagnostic clarification.
- TRAK (TSH receptor antibody) – thyroid autoantibody, which may be present in the blood especially in hyperthyroidism of Graves’ type [detection frequency: 80-100%; TRAK level allows prognostic information on the course of the disease].
- Thyroid peroxidase antibodies (PAH) (also called: thyroperoxidase antibodies = TPO-Ak) – elevated levels occur in Graves’ disease [detection frequency: 60-80%]
- Note: This antibody is positive in five percent of the healthy population!A positive finding is therefore not proof of the presence of an autoimmune disease.
- TAK (thyroglobulin antibodies; thyroglobulin autoantibodies – TGAK) – increased levels occur in Graves’ disease [detection frequency: 10-20%].
Graves’ disease in pregnancy: see below Graves’ disease / laboratory diagnostics.
Further notes
- Small blood count [reduced hemoglobin and platelet (blood platelet) levels; 4.2% of Graves’ patients have mild thrombocytopenia (reduction of platelets (blood platelets) in the blood); normalization in euthyroidism (normal thyroid function)]
- Differential blood count [14.1% have mild neutropenia (decrease in neutrophil granulocytes in the blood: < 2,000 /µL) before starting therapy; normalization in euthyroidism]
