I'd like to change my rank, but I don't know how. I have a tygem account that is still rated 16kyu from when I made it a long time ago, so I'd like to move it up. I saw that there was a "rank change item" but I don't know how to get one.

Just play and win games. Once you go on a winning streak you will raise your rank quickly. You might be surprised at the quality of opponents you get at that level. I've got several accounts on KGS some 3k and some 4k. My tygem account is 9k.

There is some interesting related discussion in this thread started by kirkmc.

I also suggest working your way up, but don't obsess about your rank. And I'm not saying you are obsessing--there is nothing wrong with wanting your rank to be accurate--just noting for future reference. Tygem is a different world.

I would still like to now how to change ranks I wasn't planning on switching to 5kyu, but I did beat an 8kyu even, so I was going to move my rank there

Ok then. To answer that question, I don't think the English clients or accounts have access to those items. The only way I know of to change your rank is to play ranked games.

You might have to wait for "lite" (or whatever they'll be called) accounts to become available for users of the English client. As I mentioned here, it looks like it might be available within the next few months.

EDIT: I remember where I saw this--on the Tygem English website's discussion board. It is no guarantee, of course, but promising. Here is a link.