Thyrotropin Alfa
Thyrotropin Alfa is a recombinant form of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) used primarily as a diagnostic tool in patients with thyroid cancer. It stimulates thyroid tissue to produce thyroglobulin and enhance radioiodine uptake, allowing physicians to detect residual or recurrent thyroid cancer without requiring patients to stop their thyroid hormone replacement therapy.
Thyrotropin Alfa is a thyroid-stimulating hormone injection used to help diagnose and treat thyroid cancer by stimulating thyroid tissue activity.
Key facts at a glance
- ATC
- H01AB01
- RxNorm
- 31448
- Generic
- Thyrotropin Alfa
- Class
- atc-h01a
- Brands
- Thyrogen
- Availability
- otc
- Pregnancy
- C
- Lactation
- unknown
- Half-life (h)
- 25
- Onset (min)
- 0
- Duration (h)
- 72
- Routes
- intramuscular
- Forms
- lyophilized powder for injection
- Regions
- United States, European Union, Canada, Australia, United Kingdom, Japan
- Monitoring
- serum thyroglobulin, TSH levels, radioiodine imaging, hypersensitivity signs
This page is for informational purposes only.
Do not use this information to diagnose yourself or to replace a physician's advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or changing any medication. If you believe you are experiencing a medical emergency, call your local emergency number immediately.
Used for diagnostic monitoring in well-differentiated thyroid cancer patients to detect residual or recurrent disease, and to enhance radioiodine uptake for imaging studies and radioiodine ablation therapy. It is particularly useful for patients who would otherwise need to discontinue thyroid hormone replacement, which can cause significant symptoms.
As a recombinant form of human TSH, it binds to TSH receptors on differentiated thyroid cells and thyroid cancer cells, stimulating them to produce thyroglobulin and increase uptake of radioactive iodine. This allows for sensitive detection of thyroid tissue through blood tests (thyroglobulin measurement) and imaging studies.
Administered as an intramuscular injection, typically requiring two doses before diagnostic testing or treatment. Patients should be monitored for tumor swelling if significant metastatic disease is present. Not recommended during pregnancy and should be used with caution in patients with known hypersensitivity to the product. May cause nausea, headache, and fatigue as common side effects.
Official drug label
WellAlly may earn a referral fee from linked resources at no extra cost to you. Editorial content is never influenced by commercial relationships.
This information is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
This content is for general informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the guidance of a qualified healthcare provider with any questions you have about a medical condition, and never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you read here.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your local emergency number or go to the nearest emergency department immediately.
Medically reviewed by WellAlly Editorial Team Last reviewed August 26, 2026. · Read our editorial policy