The marker "Anti-Thyroglobulin Antibody" is serving as an essential tool in assessing autoimmune thyroid disorders, such as Hashimoto's thyroiditis and Graves' disease.

Thyroglobulin itself is a protein produced by the thyroid gland, playing a pivotal role in the synthesis of thyroid hormones. However, in certain autoimmune conditions, the body's immune system mistakenly identifies thyroglobulin as a foreign substance, leading to the production of anti-thyroglobulin antibodies. The presence and concentration of these antibodies can be indicative of an underlying autoimmune thyroid condition.

What if results are borderline elevated?

When Anti-Thyroglobulin Antibody levels are borderline elevated, it suggests a potential, mild autoimmune reaction against the thyroid gland, but interpretation depends on the overall clinical picture. Healthcare providers typically recommend a combination of symptom evaluation, further thyroid function tests, and periodic monitoring of antibody levels to detect any changes over time. The presence of risk factors such as a family history of autoimmune diseases and the patient's symptoms are also considered in assessing the likelihood of developing a thyroid disorder. In some cases, lifestyle modifications or early medical interventions may be advised to manage symptoms and support thyroid health, highlighting the importance of a proactive and informed approach to borderline results.

Associated Disease: Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis & Graves’ Disease

Sensitivity: 60-85%

Interpretation: Anti-thyroglobulin antibodies are found in 60-85% of patients with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis and 30-80% of patients with Graves’ disease.

Anti-Tissue Transglutaminase IgA (tTG IgA) is the primary and most reliable test for detecting celiac disease, measuring IgA antibodies produced in response to gluten. Elevated levels strongly suggest celiac disease, as they indicate immune-driven damage to the intestinal lining. However, in individuals with IgA deficiency, results may appear normal, requiring alternative tests like tTG IgG. If tTG IgA is elevated, further evaluation, such as an intestinal biopsy, is often recommended to confirm the diagnosis and guide treatment with a gluten-free diet.

Anti-Tissue Transglutaminase IgG (tTG IgG) is a key marker used in celiac disease testing, particularly for individuals with IgA deficiency, where standard tTG IgA results may be unreliable. Elevated tTG IgG levels suggest the immune system is reacting to gluten, which can indicate celiac disease or, in some cases, non-celiac gluten sensitivity. However, tTG IgG can occasionally be elevated due to other conditions, such as liver disease or autoimmune disorders. If your tTG IgG is high, it’s important to consult with your healthcare provider, who may recommend additional tests, like a biopsy or further antibody screening, to confirm celiac disease and guide the next steps for managing gluten-related symptoms.

The Anti-Titin (IgG + IgA) biomarker, measured in Vibrant Wellness' Neural Zoomer Plus panel, assesses immune reactivity to titin, a giant protein critical for muscle elasticity and contraction. This test helps identify autoimmune responses targeting neuromuscular tissues, which may underlie conditions like myasthenia gravis and thymoma-associated syndromes.

What It Measures

The test detects IgG and IgA antibodies against titin, a structural protein in skeletal and cardiac muscle. Titin stabilizes sarcomeres during muscle contraction, and autoantibodies against it are often linked to neuromuscular junction dysfunction.

Clinical Relevance

Anti-Titin antibodies are associated with:

• Myasthenia Gravis (MG):

  • Found in approximately 30% of generalized MG cases, particularly in patients with thymoma (a tumor of the thymus).

  • Associated with severe disease phenotypes and poorer response to acetylcholinesterase inhibitors.

• Thymoma Screening:

  • The presence of Anti-Titin antibodies may prompt imaging (e.g., chest CT) to rule out thymic tumors.

• Late-Onset MG:

  • More common in patients over 50, often without thymoma, but with higher rates of muscle-specific kinase (MuSK) antibodies.

Anti-TPO antibodies (Anti-Thyroid Peroxidase antibodies) are autoantibodies directed against thyroid peroxidase, an enzyme crucial for the production of thyroid hormones. These antibodies are a key marker in autoimmune thyroid diseases, particularly Hashimoto's thyroiditis and, to a lesser extent, Graves' disease. In Hashimoto's thyroiditis, which is the most common cause of hypothyroidism, the presence of Anti-TPO antibodies signifies an immune system attack on the thyroid gland, leading to inflammation, damage, and eventually reduced thyroid function. Patients with elevated levels of Anti-TPO antibodies are at an increased risk of developing hypothyroidism, even if their thyroid function is normal at the time of testing. In Graves' disease, which is characterized by hyperthyroidism, Anti-TPO antibodies are less commonly present but can coexist with other types of thyroid autoantibodies.

ANTIBODIES ASSOCIATED WITH:
This test by itself is not diagnostic for any condition or disease

Alcoholic Liver Disease
Demyelinating Disease
Graves’ Disease
Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis
Infectious agent exposure
PANDAS / ANDAS / OCD
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Recent Onset Type 1 Diabetes Toxin Exposure

Known Cross-Reactions: Streptococcal Protein

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Function: Tubulin is a building block protein and a major component of a cell’s internal cytoskeleton, called microtubules. These structures play key roles in many cellular functions including, interaction with guanine, lateral contacts, interaction with beta and gamma phosphates of nucleotides, interaction with gamma phosphate, longitudinal contacts, backbone interactions with α and β phosphates, hydrophobic contact of conserved residues, nucleotide contacts, MAP-binding domain and acetylation site.

ANTIBODIES ASSOCIATED WITH:
This test by itself is not diagnostic for any condition or disease

Alcoholic Liver Disease
Demyelinating Disease
Graves’ Disease
Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis
Infectious agent exposure
PANDAS / ANDAS / OCD
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Recent Onset Type 1 Diabetes Toxin Exposure

Known Cross-Reactions: Streptococcal Protein

----------------------------

Function: Tubulin is a building block protein and a major component of a cell’s internal cytoskeleton, called microtubules. These structures play key roles in many cellular functions including, interaction with guanine, lateral contacts, interaction with beta and gamma phosphates of nucleotides, interaction with gamma phosphate, longitudinal contacts, backbone interactions with α and β phosphates, hydrophobic contact of conserved residues, nucleotide contacts, MAP-binding domain and acetylation site.

The Anti-U1 RNP (Ribonucleoprotein) Antibody test is a specific diagnostic tool used in the evaluation of connective tissue diseases. This test detects antibodies against the U1 RNP, a component of a small nuclear ribonucleoprotein complex involved in RNA processing. The presence of anti-U1 RNP antibodies is particularly significant in the diagnosis of mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD), a disorder that exhibits features of several connective tissue diseases like systemic lupus erythematosus, scleroderma, and polymyositis.

Voltage-gated calcium channels (VGCCs) are a group of voltage-gated ion channels found in the membrane of excitable cells such as muscle, glial cells, and neurons. They are key transducers of membrane potential changes into intracellular Ca2+ transients that initiate many physiological events. In neurons, voltage-gated Ca2+ channels initiate synaptic transmission. Anti-voltage-gated calcium channel autoantibodies are responsible for Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome (LEMS), a rare autoimmune disorder of the neuromuscular junction.

The Anti-Voltage Gated Calcium Channels (VGCC) IgM biomarker is a specialized test used to detect antibodies against the voltage-gated calcium channels in the nervous system. These calcium channels play a crucial role in the function of neurons, helping to regulate the flow of calcium ions in and out of nerve cells, which is essential for the proper transmission of electrical signals in the brain and throughout the nervous system.

What It Measures: This test specifically measures IgM antibodies directed against these voltage-gated calcium channels. IgM is a type of antibody that typically appears early in immune responses. The presence of Anti-VGCC IgM antibodies can suggest an autoimmune response, where the immune system mistakenly targets these calcium channels, potentially disrupting normal nerve cell function.

Clinical Relevance: The presence of Anti-VGCC IgM antibodies has been linked to several neurological conditions, most notably paraneoplastic neurologic syndromes (PNS). In PNS, the immune system targets components of the nervous system in response to an underlying malignancy. These conditions may lead to symptoms such as muscle weakness, vision disturbances, memory issues, or even severe conditions like Lambert-Eaton Myasthenic Syndrome (LEMS), a disorder that impairs communication between nerves and muscles.

The Anti-Voltage Gated Potassium Channels (VGKC) test, measuring IgG and IgA antibodies, is part of specialized diagnostic panels such as the Neural Zoomer panel by Vibrant America. This test is used to detect antibodies against voltage-gated potassium channels, which are essential proteins located on the surface of neurons. These channels regulate the flow of potassium ions in and out of nerve cells, playing a critical role in the electrical activity that drives neural communication.

What It Measures:

The Anti-VGKC IgG + IgA test specifically measures two types of antibodies (IgG and IgA) that target the voltage-gated potassium channels. IgG antibodies are the most common type of antibody in the bloodstream and often appear later in immune responses, while IgA antibodies are found in mucosal areas, such as the respiratory and gastrointestinal tracts. The presence of these antibodies can indicate an autoimmune response, where the body's immune system mistakenly attacks its own nerve cells, interfering with normal nervous system function.

The Anti-Voltage Gated Potassium Channels (VGKC) IgM test is a diagnostic assay aimed at detecting IgM antibodies targeting components of the VGKC complex. These channels are essential for regulating potassium ion flow in neurons, contributing to nerve signaling and maintaining the electrical activity of the nervous system.

What It Measures

This test specifically identifies IgM antibodies directed against VGKC-complex proteins. While IgG antibodies are more commonly associated with autoimmune neurological conditions, the presence of IgM antibodies may indicate an early immune response targeting these channels. The VGKC complex includes proteins such as leucine-rich glioma-inactivated 1 (LGI1) and contactin-associated protein 2 (CASPR2), which are crucial for synaptic function and neuronal communication.

Clinical Relevance

Anti-VGKC IgM antibodies are less frequently studied compared to their IgG counterparts, but their detection could still provide insights into autoimmune mechanisms affecting the nervous system. VGKC-complex antibodies have been implicated in conditions such as:

• Limbic Encephalitis: Characterized by cognitive impairment, seizures, and psychiatric symptoms, often associated with LGI1 antibodies.

• Neuromyotonia: A peripheral nerve hyperexcitability syndrome linked to CASPR2 antibodies.

• Morvan Syndrome: A rare disorder featuring neuromyotonia, autonomic dysfunction, and insomnia.