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Thyrotropin Receptor Antibody

Meaning

A Thyrotropin Receptor Antibody (TRAb) is an autoantibody produced by the immune system that mistakenly targets the TSH receptor, a protein found primarily on the surface of thyroid follicular cells. These antibodies can either stimulate the receptor, leading to hyperthyroidism, or block it, potentially causing hypothyroidism, making them a critical biomarker in the diagnosis and management of autoimmune thyroid disease. Their presence signifies a breakdown in immune tolerance directed at the endocrine system.