What if tsh levels are high

The following table shows TSH levels for children by age, according to a study from based on data from healthy children:.

High TSH levels indicate hypothyroidism. People develop hypothyroidism when their thyroid produces low levels of hormones. When the thyroid gland does not produce enough hormones, the pituitary gland produces more TSH to compensate. Symptoms of hypothyroidism include:. Low TSH levels indicate hyperthyroidism. This is also known as an overactive thyroid. If the thyroid gland is secreting levels of hormones that are too high, the pituitary gland produces less TSH.

Symptoms of hyperthyroidism include:. The TSH test involves a healthcare professional drawing blood from a vein in the inner arm. They then send the blood sample to a laboratory for testing. Usually, people do not need to prepare for a TSH test. However, if the doctor is testing the blood for more than one issue, a person may need to fast or prepare in another way. The doctor will provide this information beforehand. If a person has abnormally high or low TSH levels, the doctor needs to run at least one other diagnostic test to identify the underlying cause.

These tests look at levels of specific thyroid hormones and antibodies. Doctors can treat hypothyroidism with medications, such as levothyroxine, that replace the missing thyroid hormones. A person should take this medication once a day, or as prescribed by their doctor. The doctor will monitor how well the treatment is working by running additional blood tests every few months. According to the Food and Drug Administration FDA , people should take levothyroxine once a day: in the morning and on an empty stomach, at least half an hour before eating.

They recommend that a person tells their doctor if they eat soybean flour, walnuts, dietary fiber, or cottonseed meal, as these can affect how the body processes levothyroxine. Treatments for hyperthyroidism focus on reducing thyroid hormone levels to prevent long term health complications.

These are important to consider because lab values don't tell the whole story about someone's condition. A treatment plan that does not also consider someone's symptoms may prove to be ineffective. If a TSH test result is unexpected, simply repeating the test is often the best course of action.

Errors can occur during the blood draw, in transcribing the results, or due to mix-ups in the lab. Statistically, there is always a risk of lab error, and results should always be interpreted along with clinical symptoms and findings.

A number of other factors can affect TSH test results , including:. A capillary finger prick test, or blood spot test, is a somewhat controversial alternative to traditional TSH testing. It uses a finger prick rather than a standard blood draw from your vein to evaluate thyroid function.

Blood spot testing kits have also been developed so that you can monitor your TSH level from home. Proponents of this test believe that it ensures greater accuracy without requiring as much of a sample as a venous blood draw.

However, since the test is not widely available right now, it's unknown exactly how well the test compares with conventional TSH testing.

Do your part to help get the most accurate results by being as consistent as possible when it comes to the conditions under which you are tested. For example, always have your test done at the same time of day, postpone your appointment if you are sick, and be sure you're always getting quality sleep. During diagnosis, most healthcare providers use the TSH test to evaluate thyroid function and determine the optimal course of treatment.

There are times, however, when knowing one's TSH may be insufficient. For instance, free T4 in addition to TSH is usually tested if a healthcare provider suspects thyroid dysfunction due to disease of the pituitary gland or hypothalamus. Likewise, if the TSH is normal, but a person still has symptoms of being hyperthyroid or hypothyroid, free T4 may be checked. TSH is also not necessarily sufficient to monitor hypothyroidism during pregnancy; T4 and free T4 are often recommended.

Depending on the clinical situation, other thyroid tests that may be done include T3 , free T3, reverse T3 , and thyroid antibody tests. A TSH level that is optimal for all people cannot quite be established. That's because TSH levels vary depending on numerous factors, including your age, your thyroid condition, and possibly even how well you sleep at night or when you last ate. To gauge the optimal level for you , your healthcare provider should consider these factors along with any symptoms you are experiencing.

You can also improve the accuracy of your tests by keeping any factors that may influence your results as consistent as possible.

The TSH test is the gold standard in diagnosing and monitoring thyroid disease. But as with any medical test, there are exceptions to what the test results may mean, as well as situations in which the test may be inaccurate. It is entirely possible that you may still have symptoms despite a normal TSH level.

If this is the case, speak up. Even a "normal" TSH may be abnormal for you. And if you don't feel you're being heard, consider seeking a second opinion. The normal range for TSH is between 0. A low TSH level—below 0. This means your body is producing an excess amount of thyroid hormone. A high TSH level—above 5. This means your body is not producing enough thyroid hormone. Low estrogen impairs the thyroid gland's ability to make thyroid hormones. So TSH rises to get the thyroid to produce more.

High estrogen leads to increased thyroid hormone production and lower TSH. Menopause sometimes triggers thyroid disease. They can, yes. Studies show that dietary changes can have a beneficial effect on TSH and thyroid function.

While a diet designed specifically for you is best, some researchers have seen success with a Mediterranean-style diet. Losing weight with thyroid disease can be a struggle. Our thyroid-friendly meal plan can help. Sign up and get yours free! Sheehan MT. There is very little risk to having a blood test. You may have slight pain or bruising at the spot where the needle was put in, but most symptoms go away quickly.

High TSH levels can mean your thyroid is not making enough thyroid hormones, a condition called hypothyroidism. Low TSH levels can mean your thyroid is making too much of the hormones, a condition called hyperthyroidism. If your test results are abnormal, your health care provider will probably order additional tests to determine the cause of your thyroid problem.

These tests may include:. Learn more about laboratory tests, reference ranges, and understanding results. Thyroid changes can happen during pregnancy. These changes are usually not significant, but some women can develop thyroid disease during pregnancy.

Hyperthyroidism occurs in about one in every pregnancies, while hypothyroidism occurs in approximately one in every pregnancies. Hyperthyroidism, and less often, hypothyroidism, may remain after pregnancy. If you develop a thyroid condition during pregnancy, your health care provider will monitor your condition after your baby is born.

If you have a history of thyroid disease, be sure to talk with your health care provider if you are pregnant or are thinking of becoming pregnant. Doctors can diagnose thyroid disorders much earlier than in the past — often before you experience symptoms.

Because the TSH test is the best screening test, your doctor will likely check TSH first and follow with a thyroid hormone test if needed. TSH tests also play an important role in managing hypothyroidism.

They help your doctor determine the right dosage of medication, both initially and over time. In addition, TSH tests are used to help diagnose a condition called subclinical hypothyroidism, which usually causes no outward signs or symptoms.

In this condition, you have normal blood levels of triiodothyronine and thyroxine, but higher than normal levels of TSH. There are certain factors that can affect blood tests for thyroid problems. One is the blood-thinning medication called heparin. Another is biotin, a vitamin taken as a stand-alone supplement or as part of a multivitamin. Let your doctor know about any medications or supplements you take before having blood tests done.

Standard treatment for hypothyroidism involves daily use of the synthetic thyroid hormone levothyroxine Levo-T, Synthroid, others. This oral medication restores adequate hormone levels, reversing the signs and symptoms of hypothyroidism. You'll likely start to feel better soon after you start treatment.

The medication gradually lowers cholesterol levels elevated by the disease and may reverse any weight gain. Treatment with levothyroxine will likely be lifelong, but because the dosage you need may change, your doctor is likely to check your TSH level every year. To determine the right dosage of levothyroxine initially, your doctor generally checks your level of TSH after six to eight weeks.

After that, blood levels are generally checked six months later. Excessive amounts of the hormone can cause side effects, such as:. If you have coronary artery disease or severe hypothyroidism, your doctor may start treatment with a smaller amount of medication and gradually increase the dosage. Progressive hormone replacement allows your heart to adjust to the increase in metabolism.