Thyroid Stimulating Hormone

Description

What is TSH?
The thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) test measures the amount of TSH in the blood and helps to diagnose thyroid disorders. The thyroid hormone plays an important role in regulating weight, body temperature, and even mood. Having an overactive or underactive thyroid can cause health issues that interfere with daily life.

A high TSH and low thyroid hormone level can indicate primary hypothyroidism whereas a low TSH and a high thyroid hormone level can indicate primary hyperthyroidism. Normal TSH ranges can alter depending on a person’s age, sex, and body weight.

Why is TSH done?

• To diagnose any suspected thyroid diseases (Hypothyroidism or Hyperthyroidism)
• To monitor the effect of treatment in patients with thyroid diseases, e.g. in case of hypothyroid patients receiving various thyroid hormone preparations: Low values are found in states of high doses
• To screen for any thyroid diseases during pregnancy
• To screen for any thyroid diseases in newborns

What does TSH Measure?

Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH) test measures the amount of TSH in your blood which helps to find out if the thyroid gland is working normally or not. Low TSH levels indicate hyperthyroidism and high TSH levels indicate hypothyroidism.

In case of hyperthyroidism, the thyroid gland produces very high amounts of thyroid hormones (T3 and T4) and you may experience symptoms of weight loss, rapid heartbeat, tremors, sweating, anxiety, increased sensitivity towards heat, etc. In case of Hypothyroidism, there is a decrease in the production of thyroid hormones (T3 and T4) which may cause weight gain, fatigue, slow heart rate, increased sensitivity towards cold, depression, dry and thin hair, etc.

There is a feedback system in the body to maintain stable amounts of the thyroid hormones (T3 and T4) in the blood. TSH signals the thyroid gland to make and release the thyroid hormones (T3 & T4) into the blood when the level of thyroid hormones is low and can also signal the thyroid gland to lower the production of thyroid hormones when the level of thyroid hormones is very high. So, when the thyroid hormone (T3 and T4) levels decrease, the pituitary gland is stimulated to release TSH and this high TSH level, in turn, stimulates thyroid gland to release more thyroid hormone (T3 & T4) from the thyroid gland and the vice-versa happens when the thyroid hormone levels are very high.