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Antithyroglobulin antibodies are proteins found in the blood that are part of an autoimmune response against the thyroid gland. Thyroglobulin is a protein produced by the thyroid gland that stores thyroid hormones. In autoimmune diseases like Hashimoto disease, the body mistakenly attacks its own tissues, including the thyroid.123

The presence of antithyroglobulin antibodies, along with antibodies against thyroid peroxidase, is often measured as a diagnostic test for Hashimoto disease. While these antibodies indicate an autoimmune process, they do not directly cause thyroid dysfunction or damage on their own. The actual destruction of thyroid cells is thought to be caused by lymphocytes or other immune system components.13

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