If you have abnormal levels of TSH in your blood, you may notice a variety of symptoms associated with TSH.

If you have hyperthyroidism, you may expect signs and symptoms such as; increased heart rate, anxiety, weight loss, difficulty sleeping, tremors in the hands, weakness, occasional diarrhea, and your eyes may be affected (sensativity to light, puffiness around the eyes, dryness, irritation, and in some cases, bulging of the eyes.

On the other hand, if you have hypothyroidism, symptoms may include; weight gain, dry skin, constipation, cold intolerance, puffy skin, hair loss, fatigue, and menstrual irregular (in women TSH patients).

It is important that if you experience any of these symptoms, you consult your doctor right away.

Blood Test TSH Levels

As of February 2010, there have been official studies about the blood test TSH Levels.  Labrotories that test TSH Blood Levels have reported that the average “normal” range is approximately .5 to 4.5/5.0.

A high TSH result often means that an underactive thyroid gland is not responding adequately to the stimulation of TSH due to some type of acute or chronic thyroid dysfunction.  In rare cases, a high TSH value 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 a patient with a known thyroid disorder, or with a patient that has had their thyroid gland removed is receiving too little thyroid hormone medication.

Understanding Blood Test TSH Levels

If you have a low TSH result can possibly indicate an overactive thyroid gland (a condition known as hyperthyroidism).  If you have had your thyroid gland removed, a low TSH result can indicate that you are taking an excessive amount of the thyroid hormone medication.  In rare cases, a low TSh result may indicate damage to the pituitary gland that prevents it from producing adequate amounts of TSH.

Whether your TSH Blood test levels are high or low, an abnormal TSH test results are usually followed up by additional testing to investigate the cause of the increase or decrease of TSH levels.

What is a TSH Blood Test?

The abbreviation TSH stands for thyroid stimulating hormone. This test is used to indicate whether or not the patient has any underlying thyroid gland problems. TSH is produced when the hypothalamus releases a substance called thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH).

TSH causes the thyroid gland to make two different types of hormones; triiodothyronine (also known as T3) and thyroxine (also known as T4). T3 and T4 are in charge of controlling your body’s metabolism.

Triiodothyronine and thyroxine are needed in your body to enact normal growth of your brain. This is especially important in a babies first 3 years of life. An infant whose thyroid gland does not produce enough of the thyroid hormone (a disease known as congenital hypothyroidism) may, in most severe cases, have mental retardation. Older children, and young adults also need this thyroid hormone to grow and develop healthy and normally.

TSH Testing Explained

A TSH Test is used to:

1. Diagnose a thyroid disorder in a patient that is showing symptoms.
2. Screen newborns and infants for an underactive thyroid.
3. Monitor thyroid replacement therapy in people with hypothyroidism.
4. Diagnose and monitor any female infertility problems.
5. Help evaluate the function of the pituitary gland.
6. Screen adults for thyroid disorders.

When should you get a TSH Blood Test?

You should get a TSH blood test whenever you are showing signs/symptoms of hyperthyroidism or or hypothyroidism or when a person has an enlarged thyroid gland.

Signs and Symptoms of hyperthyroidism may include: Increased heart rate, Anxiety, Weight Loss, Difficulty Sleeping, Tremors in the Hands, General Weakness, Diarrhea, Sensitivity to light, When your eyes are affected (such as puffiness around the eyes, dryness, irritation, and in some cases bulging of the eyes.)

Signs and Symptoms of hypothyroidism may include:  Weight gain, dry skin, constipation, cold intolerance, puffy skin, hair loss, fatigue, and menstrual irregularity in women.

It is always important to discuss signs and symptoms with your doctor.  Your doctor may order regular intervals of TSH Blood tests to monitor the effectiveness of your treatment.