Abstract: Serum thyroglobulin(Tg) is an important modality in the long term follow-up of patients with differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC).Measurements of serum Tg include stimulated thyroglobulin(sTg) which is usually obtained following TSH stimulation with an elevated TSH level above 30μIU/ml,and unstimulated Tg which is obtained during thyroid hormone suppression of TSH. Compared with the latter one, the sensitivity and specificity of sTg are better for the surveillance of DTCs. Currently, postablative sTg is well accepted as an important indicator for monitoring residual or recurrent disease. However,because of the influence of thyroid remnant, the value of preablative sTg (ps-Tg) in risk estimation and clinical decision-making remains controversial. According to the American Thyroid Association guidelines revised in 2009, ps-Tg might be helpful in predicting disease status after ablation. In the recent 5 years, several studies focusing on the relationship between ps-Tg and disease status after ablation as well as patients' prognosis have attracted much attention. This article summarizes the relevant advances and controversies about the role of ps-Tg in guiding risk assessment and therapeutic decisions of DTCs.