The Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone (TSH) Test:

What You Need to Know about TSH Test

So, your doctor thinks your thyroid gland might not be functioning properly. Maybe you’ve been experiencing some puzzling signs and symptoms that are consistent with thyroid fluctuations, or perhaps routine blood work that you recently had done raised a red flag. Now you’ve been referred to a lab to have the TSH test performed.

The TSH test is a common laboratory procedure that is used whenever thyroid disorders are suspected. Basically, the test is designed to measure the amount of a specific thyroid hormone in the bloodstream. This week, we’ll take an in-depth look at this test, providing all of the information you need if you or a loved one has been referred to a lab for a TSH test.

What is the TSH Test Used to Detect?

The TSH test is used for one primary purpose: to quantify the amount of thyroid-stimulating hormone that is circulating in the bloodstream. Although its basic function is simple, the results gathered through the TSH test are an invaluable tool that doctors can use to diagnose and treat a wide array of health problems, including (but not limited to) the most common thyroid disorders, hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism.

While the results of a TSH test offer doctors a powerful diagnostic tool in and of itself, patients often have the test performed along with a number of other procedures designed to track thyroid function and identify any possible problems. In many cases, the TSH test is ordered along with similar tests that measure other thyroid hormones, such as the T3 and the T4 tests. When all of these tests are performed simultaneously, the lab results that are gathered offer doctors a highly detailed portrait of how a patient’s thyroid gland and endocrine system are functioning.

When is the TSH Test Performed?

The TSH test is an important part of the ongoing care and treatment of any type of thyroid disorder, and patients with thyroid problems will likely undergo the test many times over the course of their treatment. However, this diagnostic tool is used in the care of an array of different health conditions. Here are some of the most common situations that may merit the TSH test:

• To help assess overall endocrine system function

• To evaluate the functionality of the pituitary gland

• To pinpoint the cause of fertility problems in women

• To verify adequate treatment of diagnosed cases of hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism

• To check thyroid function in newborn babies

• To investigate the source of an enlarged thyroid gland or a nodule or bump in the neck area

• To monitor thyroid health and endocrine system function during pregnancy

• As part of a general check-up for adults over the age of 35

How are the TSH Test Results Interpreted?

There are as many different possible interpretations for TSH test results as there are reasons for ordering the procedure, so the best way to understand the implications of your test findings is to discuss the results with your primary care physician.

However, there are several general patterns in TSH test findings that can indicate a problem. Some of the most commonly observed findings include:

• High TSH levels – Specific diagnoses will vary, but high levels of thyroid-stimulating hormone in the bloodstream often indicate a case of hypothyroidism, or an under-active thyroid gland.

• Low TSH levels – Lower-than-average TSH readings may indicate an overactive thyroid gland. In some cases, this problem is the result of the disorder known as hyperthyroidism. In very rare instances, a low TSH level may be linked to a pituitary gland disorder.

• TSH levels within normal limits – Although your primary care physician should make the final determination, a normal TSH count may indicate that your thyroid gland is functioning normally. If you have been experiencing thyroid symptoms, the problems may have another source.

How Should I Prepare for the TSH test?

Any type of laboratory procedure can be stressful, particularly if you are sensitive to needles or the sight of blood. Make sure that you get plenty of rest beforehand, and try deep-breathing exercises if you experience any anxiety.

The thyroid gland is very sensitive to medications, so be sure to inform your doctor of any pharmaceutical treatments you are taking. Even seemingly innocent drugs such as aspirin or vitamin supplements could cause an anomaly in the test results, so err on the side of caution and report everything, just to be safe.

Your medical team will provide you with any special information you may need to get through the test. Be sure to ask questions if you’re confused by any aspect of the procedure. And be sure to check back here each week for more vital thyroid health information!

For Further Reading

• http://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/thyroid-stimulating-hormone-tsh

• http://www.endocrineweb.com/tests.html

• http://www.med.umich.edu/1libr/aha/aha_thystiho_crs.htm