THYROGLOBULIN ELEVATION AND NEGATIVE IODINE SCINTIGRAPHY (TENIS) SYNDROME: DIAGNOSTIC CHALLENGES, TREATMENT, AND NURSING IMPLICATIONS

Thyroglobulin Elevation and Negative Iodine Scintigraphy (TENIS) syndrome presents a unique diagnostic and therapeutic challenge in the management of differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) patients. Thyroglobulin (Tg) is a tumor marker produced by thyroid follicular cells, and its elevated levels in the blood are often used to monitor disease recurrence or metastasis in patients who have undergone total thyroidectomy and radioactive iodine therapy. In TENIS syndrome, patients exhibit persistently elevated serum thyroglobulin levels but have negative iodine-131 whole-body scintigraphy scans. This condition complicates the management of DTC, as iodine scintigraphy, which is typically used to detect recurrent disease, becomes ineffective. This paper explores the diagnostic challenges, treatment strategies, and the nursing implications associated with TENIS syndrome, with the goal of improving patient outcomes through comprehensive care.