Thyrotropin Receptor Antibody (TRAb) Test

Graves' disease is an autoimmune condition that causes the thyroid gland to produce too much thyroid hormone (hyperthyroidism). Symptoms can vary from person to person and may develop gradually over time.
 

Common signs and symptoms of Graves' disease include:
 

• Rapid or irregular heartbeat
• Nervousness, anxiety, or irritability
• Unexplained weight loss despite a normal or increased appetite
• Increased sweating or sensitivity to heat
• Tremors, especially in the hands and fingers
• Difficulty sleeping
• Fatigue or muscle weakness
• More frequent bowel movements
• Changes in menstrual cycles
• An enlarged thyroid gland (goiter), which may cause swelling in the neck
   

Some people with Graves' disease also develop Graves' eye disease (thyroid eye disease), which can cause:
 

• Bulging eyes
• Eye irritation, redness, or dryness
• Sensitivity to light
• Double vision
• Pressure or pain around the eyes

If you're experiencing symptoms of an overactive thyroid, talk with your healthcare provider. A TRAb test measures antibodies commonly associated with Graves' disease. Results may provide additional information for your healthcare provider when considered alongside thyroid hormone tests and other clinical findings.

TSH measures the level of thyroid-stimulating hormone circulating in your blood, while a thyroid receptor antibody test measures antibodies that can affect how the thyroid responds to TSH. Both tests provide different types of information and are often used together when evaluating thyroid function and autoimmune thyroid disease.

Yes. TRAb antibody levels may increase or decrease over time depending on disease activity, treatment response, and individual factors.  In some situations, healthcare providers may order repeat TRAb testing to evaluate changes in antibody levels over time as part of an overall thyroid assessment.

Consult with your healthcare provider if you have any questions about your TRAb results and testing guidance.

No. A TRAb test measures antibodies commonly associated with Graves' disease, but no single lab test can diagnose Graves' disease on its own. Healthcare providers typically consider TRAb results together with thyroid hormone tests, symptoms, medical history, and physical examination findings when evaluating for Graves' disease.

Your testing will be performed in a CLIA-certified clinical laboratory. Labcorp provides leading-edge medical laboratory tests and services through a national network of primary clinical laboratories and specialty testing laboratories. Our labs perform regular quality assurance testing to ensure our results are accurate.

Your results will be provided to you through our secure online portal to view or print. Results are also made available through a secure portal to the independent healthcare provider who placed your test order.  If you are accessing your results through your Labcorp Patient™ account, all users linked to the account will have access to all OnDemand test results. Results may also be provided to a local, state, and/or federal health authority; for example, many states require the testing laboratory and physician to report test results for certain communicable diseases, such as COVID-19, to local or state health departments.  

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Visit the Labcorp OnDemand® website to browse and purchase laboratory tests and create your Labcorp Patient™ account to view your results. All Labcorp OnDemand testing requires an order from an authorized healthcare professional. For your convenience, Labcorp OnDemand has contracted with independent professional entities (collectively, Providers) to deliver healthcare provider services. Visit a Labcorp location for sample collection; or, if using an at-home collection kit, collect your sample yourself. We’ll let you know when your results are ready and can be accessed through your Labcorp Patient™ account.

To align with clinical best practices, we’ve set an age maximum of 100 for consumer-initiated testing. This limit was set to encourage individuals in more advanced age groups - who may have complex medical needs - to receive personalized guidance about testing from their healthcare providers.