The effect of heterophilic antibody interference in thyroglobulin measurement on different immunoassay devices

Abstract

Abstract Objectives Serum thyroglobulin (Tg) is a biochemical marker used in the follow-up of patients with differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC), but heterophile antibody interference may limit the clinical use of Tg. Case presentation In the first-year follow-up of a 31-year-old female patient who received treatment for papillary thyroid CA, a clinically significant difference was found in the Tg values measured by two different brand devices with similar measurement methods. Conclusions Despite the use of state-of-the-art laboratory equipment, heterophile antibodies in immunoassay analysis can still cause false high Tg measurements. Our case report shows that analytical errors can be avoided with attention and effective communication between clinicians and laboratory specialists. In this way, patients will be prevented from being misdiagnosed and/or exposed to treatment.