A TSH test can be conducted to evaluate the performance of your thyroid gland. TSH levels can help in seeing if your thyroid gland is functioning the way it needs to. TSH levels can tell you if your thyroid gland is underactive, also known as hypothyroidism, or overactive, also known as hyperthyroidism. The TSH test can also help in detecting a thyroid disorder even before you develop any signs or symptoms. This can help you in getting your thyroid treated early so you can avoid the development of any health issues. Here is all you need to know about TSH levels:
The TSH levels test: Everything you need to know
What you need to know about the TSH levels test
The thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels test is a blood test to check the levels of TSH in your body. It is a very important test to help diagnose if you have any thyroid problems.
The TSH levels test can be done at any time, but it is usually done when you visit the doctor for other reasons. The best time to do the TSH levels test is between 8am and 10am, as this is when your thyroid hormones are at their highest level.
Before taking the test
To take the TSH test, you simply need to submit a sample of your blood to a medical practitioner. This blood is then analyzed in a laboratory. The TSH test could be performed at all hours of the day. You don’t need to prepare before taking the TSH test, for example, you don’t need to fast overnight. The TSH test is completely safe and you won’t feel any pain at all. Although in some cases, there is some slight bruising involved.
The TSH levels test is a routine blood test that measures the levels of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH). It is used to diagnose, monitor and treat thyroid disorders. The test can also be used to screen for a goiter or thyrotoxicosis.
It is important to know that TSH is produced by the pituitary gland and signals the thyroid gland to release thyroxine (T4). The level of T4 in the blood then reflects how much thyroxine has been released. A low level of T4 usually indicates an underactive thyroid gland, while a high level may indicate an overactive one.
The purpose of this test is to measure how much thyroid hormone your body produces in response to stimulation by thyrotropin-releasing hormone from the pit
Factors that may interfere with your TSH levels chart
Generally, you wouldn’t have to stop taking any medications before you take the TSH levels test, however, you need to let your doctor know beforehand. Some drugs could affect the levels of TSH in your blood or interfere with the way your thyroid functions. For instance, your thyroid function needs to be monitored when you are already taking lithium. When you are taking the lithium regularly, there could be a chance that your medication affects the way your thyroid functions and even cause it to stop functioning properly. It’s advised that you should get your TSH levels checked before you even start this medicine. Once your TSH levels are normal, you would just need to get your levels examined every 6 months or even every year, as suggested by your medical practitioner. However, if your TSH levels are abnormal, you need to get them treated.
High TSH levels symptoms
Your TSH levels are typically between around 0.4 and 4.0 milliunits per litre (mU/L), as per the American Thyroid Association. This range may vary among various laboratories with the upper limits usually being around 4 to 5. However, if your TSH levels are higher, you may suffer from an underactive thyroid. Symptoms include-
- Weight gain
- Thinning hair
- Swelling in the neck or face
- Heavy or irregular menstrual periods
Fatigue
Pathology is the branch of medicine that deals with the causes and effects of diseases through examination of body tissue. Pathologists are medical doctors who diagnose disease by examining cells, tissues, and organs under a microscope.
The pathologist will take a sample of blood, urine or other body fluid and look at it under a microscope to find out if there are any abnormalities.
Pathologists may also examine tissue samples from biopsies or surgical procedures to detect cancerous cells, infections or other problems.
Low TSH levels symptoms
The thyroid gland has two main functions: to produce hormones that control the body’s metabolism and to regulate the body’s energy levels. When the thyroid gland is not working properly, it can lead to a number of different symptoms.
One of the most common symptoms of hypothyroidism is feeling tired all the time, even if you are getting enough sleep. Other symptoms may include: feeling cold, weight gain, hair loss, dry skin, constipation and depression.
If your TSH levels come back lower than the normal levels, you may suffer from an overactive thyroid. An overactive thyroid can be caused by:
- Your immune system attacking your thyroid, also known as Graves’ disease
- A lot of iodine present in your
- Taking a lot of thyroid hormone medication
Symptoms include-
- Weight loss
- Clouded or confused mind
- Bulging eyes
If you have been taking medications such as opioid painkillers (for example morphine), dopamine, or steroids, your TSH levels chart could have a lower reading than normal. If you regularly consume vitamin B supplements or biotin, your levels can come out lower as well.
Conclusion
TSH is short for “thyroid stimulating hormone” that is produced in your brain, specifically in the pituitary gland and its levels are used to measure the levels of this hormone in your blood. The pituitary gland asks your thyroid to produce and liberate these thyroid hormones right into your bloodstream. Even though there are other tests available to diagnose a thyroid disorder in your body, the TSH test can indicate it even before your symptoms have developed. Of course, prevention and treatment is important, but the ideal thing to do is to get tested regularly. The TSH levels test has been used for decades to diagnose thyroid disease.