Naked Science Forum
Life Sciences => Cells, Microbes & Viruses => Topic started by: ladytsixer on 19/05/2014 21:19:12
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I just received my TSH (THYROID STIMULATING HORMONE) results, and it was 0.42
What does this mean? It is hyperthyroid or hypothyroid , or neither?
I'm really confused after reading about up it online. Help!
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Medline says values can range from 0.4 - 4.0 mIU/L (milli-international units per liter), but interpreting these results may also depend on
Your symptoms
Results of other thyroid lab tests
Whether you are already being treated for thyroid problems.
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003684.htm
A good site with easy to understand language is Labtests Online. http://labtestsonline.org/understanding/analytes/tsh/tab/test
TSH or thyroid stimulating hormone is made in the pituitary gland and stimulates the thyroid gland to make its hormone T3 and T4 that regulate metabolism.
The following is from Lab tests online:
"A high TSH result often means an underactive thyroid gland that is not responding adequately to the stimulation of TSH due to some type of acute or chronic thyroid dysfunction. Rarely, a high TSH result 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 someone with a known thyroid disorder or who has had their thyroid gland removed is receiving too little thyroid hormone medication.
A low TSH result can indicate an overactive thyroid gland (hyperthyroidism) or excessive amounts of thyroid hormone medication in those who are being treated for an underactive (or removed) thyroid gland. Rarely, a low TSH result may indicate damage to the pituitary gland that prevents it from producing adequate amounts of TSH.
Whether high or low, an abnormal TSH indicates an excess or deficiency in the amount of thyroid hormone available to the body, but it does not indicate the reason why. An abnormal TSH test result is usually followed by additional testing to investigate the cause of the increase or decrease."
Theres a good chart on this webpage.