['We investigated the value of the stimulated thyroglobulin (Tg) level at the time of recombinant human thyrotropin (rhTSH)-aided remnant ablation for predicting disease status 1\xa0year later in patients with DTC who underwent total thyroidectomy with central neck dissection (CND).', 'This was a prospective observational study of 253 consecutive patients with DTC who underwent rhTSH-aided RAI ablation after total thyroidectomy and prophylactic CND. Patients with evidence of initial distant metastasis or positive Tg antibodies were excluded.', 'We compared rhTSH-stimulated Tg level at RAI ablation according to the disease status at 1\xa0year and evaluated optimal cut-off value of rhTSH-stimulated Tg. Binary logistic regression analysis was performed to investigate the independent predictive factors for disease status 1\xa0year after ablation.', 'Among study participants, 228 (90·1%) were considered disease free at 1\xa0year after remnant ablation. Patients with persistent or recurrent disease were more likely to be aged ≥45\xa0years, and to have N1b stage, TNM stage III or IV, and higher rhTSH-stimulated Tg level at RAI ablation. The optimal cut-off of rhTSH-stimulated Tg for predicting persistent or recurrent disease was 1·79\xa0ng/ml, with a negative predictive value of 99·5%. A serum rhTSH-stimulated Tg level ≥1·79 at the time of ablation was independently associated with persistent or recurrent disease 1\xa0year later. N1b stage tended to be associated with persistent or recurrent disease.'] Is recombinant human thyrotropin-stimulated thyroglobulin level at the time of radioactive iodine ablation an independent prognostic marker of differentiated thyroid carcinoma in the setting of prophylactic central neck dissection?