eMedicine Specialties > Endocrinology > Thyroid

Thyroxine-Binding Globulin Deficiency: Follow-up

Author: Nicholas J Sarlis, MBBS, MD, PhD, FACP, Medical Director, Department of Oncology-US Medical Affairs Department, Sanofi-Aventis Pharmaceuticals
Coauthor(s): Boaz Hirshberg, MD, Associate Director, CVMD, Pfizer
Contributor Information and Disclosures

Updated: Dec 18, 2008

Follow-up

Further Inpatient Care

  • No specific further inpatient care is recommended for individuals with thyroxine-binding globulin (TBG) deficiency, except, in cases of secondary TBG deficiency, as indicated for the treatment of the primary disorder.

Further Outpatient Care

  • No specific further outpatient care is recommended, except as indicated for the treatment of the primary disorder in cases of secondary thyroxine-binding globulin (TBG) deficiency. For primary TBG deficiency, family members should be made aware of this benign problem so that unnecessary testing is avoided.

Transfer

  • Usually, no specific transfer requirements exist.

Deterrence/Prevention

  • No deterrence or prevention measures are known for primary thyroxine-binding globulin (TBG) deficiency.
  • For a full discussion of the states or diseases associated with secondary TBG deficiency, refer to specific articles for these conditions.

Complications

  • No known complications from thyroxine-binding globulin deficiency are described. However, patients should be aware of their condition in order to notify their health care providers and avoid misdiagnosis, which could lead to complications from erroneously administered treatment.

Prognosis

  • Prognosis is excellent for patients with inherited thyroxine-binding globulin (TBG) deficiency.
  • The prognosis for patients with secondary forms of TBG deficiency is determined by the severity of the associated medical condition.

Patient Education

  • Patients with inherited forms of thyroxine-binding globulin deficiency should be aware of their condition in order to provide health care professionals with correct information.

Miscellaneous

Medicolegal Pitfalls

  • Failure to avoid unnecessary treatment and evaluation of patients with an inherited form of thyroxine-binding globulin (TBG) deficiency
  • Failure to investigate the cause of secondary forms of TBG deficiency, which may lead to omitting diagnoses of potentially serious medical conditions
 


More on Thyroxine-Binding Globulin Deficiency

Overview: Thyroxine-Binding Globulin Deficiency
Differential Diagnoses & Workup: Thyroxine-Binding Globulin Deficiency
Treatment & Medication: Thyroxine-Binding Globulin Deficiency
Follow-up: Thyroxine-Binding Globulin Deficiency
References
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References

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Further Reading

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Keywords

thyroxine-binding globulin deficiency, thyroid, thyroid disease, thyroid gland, thyroid hormone, thyroxine, albumin, protein binding, thyroid levels, prealbumin, triiodothyronine, thyroid hormones, TH, T4, T3, thyroxine binding globulin, thyroxine-binding globulin, TBG, transthyretin, TTR, prealbumin, serum lipoproteins

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Contributor Information and Disclosures

Author

Nicholas J Sarlis, MBBS, MD, PhD, FACP, Medical Director, Department of Oncology-US Medical Affairs Department, Sanofi-Aventis Pharmaceuticals
Nicholas J Sarlis, MBBS, MD, PhD, FACP is a member of the following medical societies: American Association for Cancer Research, American Association for the Advancement of Science, American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists, American College of Endocrinology, American College of Physicians, American Federation for Medical Research, American Head and Neck Society, American Medical Association, American Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology, American Society of Clinical Oncology, American Thyroid Association, Association for Psychological Science, Endocrine Society, European Society for Medical Oncology, New York Academy of Sciences, and Royal Society of Medicine
Disclosure: Sanofi-Aventis Salary Employment

Coauthor(s)

Boaz Hirshberg, MD, Associate Director, CVMD, Pfizer
Boaz Hirshberg, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Dietetic Association
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Medical Editor

Harris C Taylor, MD, Clinical Professor of Medicine, Division of Clinical and Molecular Endocrinology, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine
Harris C Taylor, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists, American College of Physicians, American Thyroid Association, and Endocrine Society
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Pharmacy Editor

Francisco Talavera, PharmD, PhD, Senior Pharmacy Editor, eMedicine
Disclosure: eMedicine Salary Employment

Managing Editor

Kent Wehmeier, MD, Professor, Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism, St Louis University School of Medicine
Kent Wehmeier, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Society of Hypertension, Endocrine Society, and International Society for Clinical Densitometry
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

CME Editor

Mark Cooper, MBBS, PhD, FRACP, Head, Diabetes & Metabolism Division, Baker Heart Research Institute, Professor of Medicine, Monash University
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

George T Griffing, MD, Professor of Medicine, St Louis University School of Medicine
George T Griffing, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Association for the Advancement of Science, American College of Medical Practice Executives, American College of Physician Executives, American College of Physicians, American Diabetes Association, American Federation for Medical Research, American Heart Association, Central Society for Clinical Research, Endocrine Society, International Society for Clinical Densitometry, and Southern Society for Clinical Investigation
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

 
 
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