The thyrotropin receptor antibody
(TRAb)

Sample type:

serum

Uses:

Diagnosis of hyperthyroidism and Graves’ disease

Precautions:

This test may exhibit interference when sample is collected from a person who is consuming a supplement with a high dose of biotin (also termed as vitamin B7 or B8, vitamin H, or coenzyme R). It is recommended to ask all patients who may be indicated for this test about biotin supplementation. Patients should be cautioned to stop biotin consumption at least 72 hours prior to the collection of a sample.

Pre-analytical

Inappropriate patients’ preparation, correct patient identification and requesting, blood specimen collection, and transportation.

Corrective action:

Standardized procedures for assessing haemolysed or lipaemic specimens Awareness of assay characteristics Protocols for assessing possible interference Established protocol for vulnerable analytes (e.g. tumour markers)

Establishing good communication with clinical staff and technical staff in relevant diagnostic companies

Post analytical errors:

• Processing of results for transcription onto report forms

• Reduce human error through root-cause analysis, process control, and education/communication

Refrence range:

1.75 IU/L