Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH)

Its Uses:

The TSH test is often the test of choice for evaluating thyroid function and/or symptoms of hyper- or hypothyroidism.

TSH testing is used to:

* diagnose a thyroid disorder in a person with symptoms,
* monitor thyroid replacement therapy in people with hypothyroidism
* diagnose and monitor female infertility problems,
* help evaluate the function of the pituitary gland (occasionally).

Interfering Factors:

Extreme stress and acute illness may also affect TSH test results, and results may be low during the first trimester of pregnancy.

Diagnostic Significance:

A high TSH result often means an underactive thyroid gland that is not responding adequately to the stimulation of TSH due to some type of acute or chronic thyroid dysfunction. Rarely, a high TSH result can indicate a problem with the pituitary gland, such as a tumor producing unregulated levels of TSH. A high TSH value can also occur when patients with a known thyroid disorder (or those who have had their thyroid gland removed) are receiving too little thyroid hormone medication.

A low TSH result can indicate an overactive thyroid gland (hyperthyroidism) or excessive amounts of thyroid hormone medication in those who are being treated for an underactive (or removed) thyroid gland. Rarely, a low TSH result may indicate damage to the pituitary gland that prevents it from producing adequate amounts of TSH.

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