Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone (TSH): What To Think About
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What To Think About
- The thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) test is the best screening test for conditions that can affect the thyroid gland.
- The results of a TSH test should be considered along with the results of thyroid hormone tests, especially thyroxine (T4) results. For more information about T3 and T4 testing, see the medical test Thyroid Hormone Tests.
- Another test that measures TSH levels in the blood is called the thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) challenge test. TSH blood levels are measured before and after an injection of TRH. Normally the injection causes the pituitary gland to release TSH. TSH levels that do not rise after the injection can indicate the presence of conditions such as a damaged pituitary gland (secondary hypothyroidism), Graves' disease, or any condition that causes an overactive thyroid gland (hyperthyroidism).
- The upper value of the normal TSH range for adults is 4.5 mIU/L or 4.5 mU/L (SI units).
| Last updated: | July 26, 2006 |
|---|---|
| Author: | Sydney Youngerman-Cole, RN, BSN, RNC |
| Reviewed By: | Caroline S. Rhoads, MD - Internal Medicine, Matthew I. Kim, MD - Endocrinology & Metabolism |
| Editors: | Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Tracy Landauer |
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