Preferred Specimen(s) 1 mL serum (red-top) tube
Transport Container Plastic screw-cap vial
Transport Temperature Refrigerated (cold packs)
Reject Criteria
- Gross hemolysis
- Hyperlipemia
- Collected in a sodium heparin (green-top) tube
Methodology In vitro Bioassay/Luminescence
Clinical Significance Graves Disease is a classic form of hyperthyroid disease, affecting approximately 0.4% of the population in the United States. It is caused by IgG immunoglobulins, collectively known as thyroid stimulating immunoglobulins (TSI). Patients who are candidates for anti-thyroid drug therapy may not respond to this treatment when TSI levels are markedly elevated. The determination of TSI can also assist in predicting hyperthyroidism in neonates due to placental transmission of the immunoglobulins from a mother with hyperthyroidism.