Thyroid Hormone Test
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
Thyroid Disease and Sexual Health
Is Thyroid Disease Hindering Your Sexual Health?
Exploring the Thyroid's Role in Male Sexual Dysfunction
In recent years, the problem of male sexual dysfunction has emerged as a high-profile health issue. Once viewed as shameful and rarely discussed in public, erectile dysfunction and other sexual disorders are now regarded simply as health problems that require treatment, no different than asthma or allergies.
One clear sign of this shift in the public's thinking about male sexual dysfunction is the fact that it's nearly impossible to watch prime-time television programming without encountering one or more commercials for erectile dysfunction treatments. It's hard to imagine this happening even a decade ago.
However, although the public's awareness of and willingness to openly discuss sexual health issues has increased considerably, the exact causes of some of these disorders remains shrouded in mystery. Many men believe that a decline in sexual performance is simply an unavoidable part of the aging process, but scientists believe that many forms of sexual dysfunction have their roots in specific -- and treatable -- medical conditions.
One little-known source of male sexual dysfunction is the thyroid gland. Recent research has indicated that fluctuations in the endocrine system of which the thyroid is a key element may impact male sexual performance. This week, we'll take a look at the thyroid's role in sexual health for men -- and what you or your partner can do to avoid these problems.
Thyroid Problems: A Hidden Threat for Older Men
Overall, thyroid diseases affect women much more frequently than men. However, as men enter late middle age, their chances of experiencing thyroid problem increases considerably. Recent studies have indicated that as many as one in ten men over the age of 60 experience some degree of fluctuation in thyroid function.
Sadly, many of these cases of thyroid dysfunction are believed to go undiagnosed. Physicians often are not attuned to the possibility that thyroid problems are more common than previously thought among older men. Furthermore, the symptoms of this type of thyroid disease are often minimal and can easily be misinterpreted as signs of other health problems.
The Thyroid Gland and Male Sexual Dysfunction
A number of recent studies have seemed to identify a strong and pervasive connection between thyroid dysfunction and sexual dysfunction in older men. Interestingly, both of the most common forms of thyroid diseases have been linked to sexual problems in men.
In hyperthyroidism, the thyroid gland is overactive, producing an excess of thyroid hormone in the endocrine system. The most common sexual side effect linked to hyperthyroidism in men is premature ejaculation, which is not surprising, as this thyroid disorder often causes many bodily processes and systems to "speed up" unnaturally. However, some men with diagnoses of hyperthyroidism also reported diminished sexual desire and erectile dysfunction.
For older male patients diagnosed with hypothyroidism, the connection to sexual dysfunction was no less pervasive, although the types of symptoms that were most commonly reported differed slightly from those seen among hyperthyroid patients. For men with hypothyroidism, the most frequently cited sexual problem was a sharp decline in desire and libido. Delayed ejaculation was also a common issue among men in this group.
Treatments and Outcomes
Although reports of sexual dysfunction appear to be very common among men with thyroid disorders, the good news is that treatment of the underlying thyroid disorder typically eliminates virtually all of the related sexual symptoms. Once thyroid function has been returned to normal with hormone supplementation or other pharmaceutical treatment, most men reported that their persistent sexual problems were greatly reduced or eliminated altogether.
If you or your partner have a family history of thyroid problems, iodine deficiency, or radiation exposure, it's particularly important to stay on the lookout for signs of thyroid disease. If you have any of the common risk factors for thyroid disorders, be sure to let your doctor know that thyroid issues might be a cause for concern.
Likewise, if you or your partner have experienced otherwise unexplained sexual problems, you may want to mention the possibility of a thyroid-related cause to your physician. With a few simple blood tests, you can determine whether your thyroid is functioning properly -- and whether thyroid fluctuations could be hindering your love life.
For Further Reading
Genetic, Environmental, and Demographic Factors in Thyroid Cancer Risk
Risk Factors for Thyroid Cancer:
What Are Your Chances of Developing This Increasingly Common Disease?
Over the course of the last several decades, the number of cases of thyroid cancer that are diagnosed annually has increased considerably. Researchers are unsure as to the causes of this apparent epidemic of thyroid cancers, and significant research resources have been focused on solving this confounding puzzle.
Some scientists contend that improved diagnostic techniques and clinical procedures have contributed to the rise in thyroid cancer diagnoses. Others believe that environmental variables, such as pollutants and radiation, may be to blame.
Although the jury is still out on the cause of thyroid cancer's precipitous rise, it is clear that this is a public health challenge that must be reckoned with. Health experts say that early detection of thyroid cancer is the best way to combat the disease. Like many other types of cancer, the prognosis for thyroid cancer patients is significantly better if the disease is caught in its early developmental stages.
It is important for each person to be aware of their unique risk profile for thyroid cancer. This week, we'll take a look at the factors and variables that are known to increase an individual's risk of developing this disease.
Genetic Factors in Thyroid Cancer Risk
One of the newest horizons in thyroid cancer research is identifying the role of genetic, hereditary, and congenital variables in the origins of the disease. Although the genetic component of thyroid cancer is still not fully understood, researchers have identified several possible risk factors that appear to be linked to the disease.
The type of thyroid cancer known as medullary thyroid cancer has been shown to be the result of genetic factors in some cases. Approximately 20% of the diagnoses of this form of the disease have been linked to a specific genetic mutation. These cases often occur in childhood, adolescence, or young adulthood. In families where this genetic aberration has been identified, screening can help determine each member's degree of risk.
There have also been studies that seem to link a heightened risk of thyroid cancers to other diseases. Both goiters and colon polyps have been associated with a disproportionate risk profile.
Environmental Factors in Thyroid Cancer Risk
There are several known environmental risk factors that have been linked to the increase in thyroid cancer. The most notable of these is exposure to radiation. In areas that have been affected by nuclear disasters or other forms of high-level radiation, thyroid cancer rates have skyrocketed.
Exposure to radiation in therapeutic doses has also been linked to thyroid cancer. For example, a childhood history of radiation therapy for Hodgkin's disease has been linked to an increased risk. Exposure to an abnormally large dose of x-ray radiation can also increase thyroid cancer risk.
In the early decades of the twentieth century, it was commonplace for doctors to treat a wide array of childhood illnesses with doses of radiation thought to be therapeutic. Ailments ranging from tonsillitis to migraine headaches were treated with targeted doses of radiation in the head and neck area. Adults who were subjected to these treatments are now regarded as being at extremely high risk for developing thyroid cancers, and are advised to work closely with trained medical professionals to monitor any possible problems.
Dietary factors also play a role in determining an individual's thyroid cancer risk. Though rare in developed nations such as the United States, iodine deficiency is a long-established risk factor for the disease.
Demographic and Population Factors in Thyroid Cancer Risk
Thyroid cancer has been known to strike in every segment of the population. However, epidemiologic studies have revealed certain demographic categories that appear to be at greater risk for developing the disease.
With rare exceptions, thyroid cancer seems most likely to strike individuals over the age of forty. Women develop the disease more than three times as often as their male counterparts. Likewise, Caucasians stand out among all ethnic groups as being at highest risk for developing the disease.
If you have any of these risk factors, it is important to monitor your situation closely and keep an eye out for any early symptoms of thyroid cancer. Talk to your doctor to develop a personal prevention strategy. Be sure to check back each week for more thyroid health news.
For Further Reading
Preventing, diagnosing, and treating thyroid diseases and disorders that occur during childhood.
Thyroid Diseases in Childhood:
A Guide to Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Treatment
Although they are much more common in older adults, thyroid disorders such as hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism are not unheard of among infants, children, and adolescents. In fact, in the United States alone, it is estimated that as many as 1 in every 4000 infants born has a congenital thyroid disorder. Among Hispanic and Native American infants, the risk is even greater.
Other acquired thyroid diseases can develop later in childhood or adolescence. One of the age groups that has been most significantly impacted by the still-unexplained epidemic of thyroid cancer is adolescents age 15 to 19. Although infants, children, adolescents, and young adults account for less than 1% of all cases of thyroid disorders and diseases, they bear a disproportionate risk for developing certain types of disorders.
Because proper thyroid function is essential for normal growth and development in infancy and childhood, it is essential that any suspected thyroid disorder is monitored very carefully in young patients. This week, we will take a look at some of the challenges of preventing, diagnosing, and treating thyroid diseases and disorders that occur during childhood.
Childhood Hypothyroidism
Most cases of hypothyroidism in infants and children are congenital or acquired, that is, present from birth and inherited genetically. However, although most instances of the disorder in children are genetic in origin, they often are not properly diagnosed until later in childhood. If left untreated, congenital hypothyroidism can result in mental retardation, severe developmental delays, and even death.
The potential seriousness of congenital hypothyroidism has prompted lawmakers across the United States to require mandatory testing for the disorder. Today, most newborns are now given a routine test that screens basic thyroid function and detects the most serious forms of congenital hypothyroidism.
When a deficit in normal thyroid hormone levels are detected, the newborn begins treatment for thyroid disorder immediately. The typical treatment regimen includes a course of levothyroxine sodium that, in many cases, must be continued and monitored for life. If the drug is taken consistently and thyroid hormone levels remain stable, infants with congenital hypothyroidism suffer little or no ill effects from the disorder.
While these regulatory changes have initiated great strides in the early detection and treatment of congenital hypothyroidism in infants and children, this diagnostic test only applies to a few specific types of thyroid disorders. In some cases, an underactive thyroid gland is not detected until later in childhood. This is more likely to occur in milder cases that do not cause readily detectable symptoms.
Some common signs of hypothyroidism in infants include:
- Feeding, digestion, and appetite problems
- A bump, nodule, or general inflammation in the front part of the neck
- Jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes)
- Change in skin texture
- "Puffy" appearance
- Larger than normal "soft spots" on skull
- Respiratory disorders
- Enlarged tongue
- Slowed heartbeat
- Infrequent stools
- Lethargy
- Slow or no weight gain
If you have noticed any of these signs and symptoms in your infant, it's important to discuss your concerns with a licensed health care professional.
Childhood Hyperthyroidism
Although hypothyroidism is more commonly diagnosed in infants and children, hyperthyroidism is also sometimes seen in very young patients. Because of the relative rareness of this disorder, there are no standard screening procedures that are designed to detect an overactive thyroid gland in newborns.
However, in families with a history of hyperthyroidism, congenital hyperthyroidism can be diagnosed in newborns, infants, and young children. Like hypothyroidism, this disorder poses a grave threat to the infant's normal development if left untreated.
If repeated listens to the fetal heartbeat reveal an abnormally fast heart rate, further tests may be conducted to determine that the fetus' developing endocrine system is growing at a normal rate. In some cases, hyperthyroidism can be detected before birth. Ultrasound images can be used to check for abnormal goiter-like growths around the thyroid gland, as well. Likewise, the mother's thyroid health and hormone levels will also be investigated as a potential cause of the problem.
Signs and symptoms associated with hyperthyroidism in infants include:
- Lumps, growths, or inflammation in the thyroid region
- Larger than normal appetite and/or food intake
- Failure to gain weight
- Prominent, bulging eyes
- Rapid heartbeat
- High blood pressure
- Irritability and nervousness
- Frequent fevers
- High body temperature
- Rapid breathing
- Yellowing of the eyes and skin
If you are worried that your infant or young child may be experiencing thyroid problems, don't hesitate to discuss your concerns with a doctor. All thyroid disorders require immediate medical care, but the urgency is even greater when it comes to diagnosing and treating childhood thyroid disorders. By taking action as soon as you notice any problems, you could be greatly increasing your child's long-term health outlook.
Be sure to check back each week for more of the latest thyroid health news.
For Further Reading
Note: The contents of this blog are for informational purposes only and are not intended to be construed as medical advice or as a substitute for professional care. This site should not be used in place of professional medical advice. The author is not a physician. For medical emergencies, call 911!
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