What Is a Thyroid stimulating hormone(TSH)Test?
A TSH test is done to see whether your thyroid organ is working the manner in which it ought to. It can let you know if it’s overactive (hyperthyroidism) or underactive (hypothyroidism).
The test can likewise recognize a thyroid issue before you have any side effects. In the event that untreated, a thyroid issue can cause medical conditions.
The thyroid gland produces hormones that regulate the body’s energy use, metabolism, heart rate, weight, temperature, muscle strength, and mood. The thyroid, in turn, is regulated by the pituitary gland’s production of Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH). When the thyroid produces fewer hormones than normal (a condition called hypothyroidism), the pituitary gland produces more TSH to compensate.
When the thyroid produces more hormones than normal (hyperthyroidism), the pituitary gland produces less TSH to compensate. Hence, abnormally high or low TSH levels are a good indicator that the thyroid isn’t working properly.
“Normal” TSH levels depend on a person’s age (they’re highest at birth and gradually decrease over time) and pregnancy status–pregnant women naturally have more thyroid hormones and less TSH, while healthy women who aren’t pregnant have similar TSH levels to healthy men. The American Thyroid Association holds that TSH levels between 0.4 and 4.0 milliunits per liter (mU/L) are normal <https://www.thyroid.org/wp-content/uploads/patients/brochures/Hypothyroidism_web_booklet.pdf> (between 0.2-0.3 and 3.0-3.5 mU/L for pregnant women).
In fact, TSH is closely monitored during pregnancy. Anormal TSH levels can result in miscarriage, stillbirth, premature birth, low birth weight, preeclampsia (a dangerous blood pressure rise during late pregnancy), anemia, thyroid storm (intense worsening of thyroid-related symptoms), or congestive heart failure. Thyroid-stimulating immunoglobulin (TSI), an antibody that causes hyperthyroidism, can be passed from the mother to the baby, causing the baby to have an overactive thyroid.
This can lead to a fast heart rate with the potential for heart failure, early closing of the soft spot, poor weight gain, irritability, or an enlarged thyroid (which pushes against the baby’s windpipe, making it difficult for them to breathe). Since thyroid hormones are critical to the development of a baby’s brain and nervous system, an underactive thyroid in the baby–especially in the first trimester–can lead to low IQ and/or developmental problems. <https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/endocrine-diseases/pregnancy-thyroid-disease> The risk of thyroid problems also increases around menopause.
Hypothyroidism can manifest with symptoms like fatigue, weight gain, facial and/or neck swelling, greater sensitivity to cold, dry skin, thinning hair, slowed heart rate, irregular or heavy menstrual periods, fertility problems, depression, and constipation. Hyperthyroidism can manifest with symptoms like an irregular or rapid heartbeat, weight loss, nervousness, irritability, difficulty sleeping, muscle weakness, frequent bowel movements or diarrhea, and changes in mood.
Levels of TSH–and by implication, thyroid hormones–are linked to some serious conditions, so testing TSH levels can make it easier to catch and treat such conditions. Testing can be done quickly, accurately, and in-house with the use of TSH slides for the FREND™ System. [Learn more].
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