TSH Receptor Antibody
TSH receptor antibodies are, as the name suggests, antibodies against the TSH receptor. These antibodies are produced by a faulty activation of the immune system and bind to the TSH receptor – usually with a stimulating effect. By binding, the antibodies mimic the action of TSH and thus increase the production and secretion of the thyroid hormones T3 and T4.
This ultimately leads to hyperthyroidism, growth of the thyroid gland and the typical symptoms such as high blood pressure, increased sweating, heat intolerance, cardiac arrhythmia or even diarrhea and sleep disorders. The disease in which the TSH receptor antibodies have a stimulating effect is called Graves’ disease. In rare cases, the antibodies also block the TSH receptor so that TSH can no longer be effective. This receptor blockade ultimately leads to hypothyroidism due to reduced production of thyroid hormones.
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