When should you worry about your TSH levels?

If your TSH level is higher than 10 mIU/L, you should start treatment, because you will very likely develop symptoms of an underactive thyroid, even if you don't have them now.


What is the danger level of TSH?

A TSH over 10 mIU/L has been linked to an increased risk of coronary heart disease and heart failure, which is why you'll probably want to seek treatment if your TSH is close to (but still under) that upper limit.

What TSH level is considered severe hypothyroidism?

TSH of more than 4.0/mU/L with a low T4 level indicates hypothyroidism. If your TSH is more than 4.0 mU/L and your T4 level is normal, this may prompt your physician to test your serum anti-thyroid peroxidase (anti-TPO) antibodies.


What are symptoms of TSH being too high?

Symptoms of high TSH levels
  • Fatigue.
  • Numbness and tingling in your hands.
  • Constipation.
  • Unexplained weight gain.
  • Depression.
  • Being unable to tolerate cold temperatures.
  • Decreased interest in sex.
  • Frequent and heavy menstrual periods.


What can trigger high TSH?

Causes of High TSH
  • 1) Hypothyroidism (Underactive Thyroid) TSH often increases in response to an underactive thyroid gland (primary hypothyroidism) [1]. ...
  • 2) Iodine Deficiency or Excess. ...
  • 3) Obesity. ...
  • 4) Radiation Therapy. ...
  • 5) Pituitary Tumors. ...
  • 6) Some Toxins, Drugs, and Supplements. ...
  • 7) Rare Genetic Disorders. ...
  • 8) Aging.


TSH Results / Levels: How to explain in 80 seconds



What would cause my TSH to spike?

Your TSH levels will be increased, if: Your thyroid gland is not working as it normally should. Your thyroid gland is infected or inflamed, as in Hashimoto's thyroiditis, or autoimmune thyroiditis. This occurs when your body is attacking your thyroid gland, for some unknown reason.

What is TSH alarming?

Ultimately, the standard of care is to treat into the goal range for TSH, which is typically between 0.5 and 4.5 or 5. A TSH level of 10 mIU/L or higher is typically indicative of hypothyroidism. A TSH level of 4.5 to 10 mIU/L is considered indicative of subclinical hypothyroidism.

What level of TSH need medication?

If your TSH level is higher than 10 mIU/L, you should start treatment, because you will very likely develop symptoms of an underactive thyroid, even if you don't have them now.


What medications can affect TSH levels?

Drugs that suppress serum TSH levels
  • Glucocorticoids. Glucocorticoids have long been known to affect serum TSH levels in humans (3;4). ...
  • Dopamine/bromocryptine. ...
  • Somatostatin analogs. ...
  • Rexinoids. ...
  • Other medications that may affect TSH levels.


What should I do if my TSH is high?

If your TSH level is high, the treatment is usually to prescribe pure synthetic T4 (levothyroxine sodium, called LT4), which is a manufactured version of the T4 hormone your thyroid produces. If your T3 level is low, the doctor can give you Liothyronine, which is only a short-term treatment for low T3 levels.

What is the best time of day to take a TSH blood test?

I recommend getting your thyroid function tests done first thing in the morning, bringing your medications with you, and taking them right after you have your thyroid function tests to ensure that you get accurate test results.


What is the number one symptom of hypothyroidism?

Weight Gain Is Often One of the First Signs of Hypothyroidism. Weight gain is perhaps one of the first noticeable symptoms of hypothyroidism in patients. (1) This is related to a slower than normal metabolism.

What causes TSH levels to go up and down?

Thyroid hormone levels may fluctuate over time. These fluctuations may occur as your thyroid condition progresses. Still, other factors like age, hormonal changes, and medication variations may also alter your thyroid hormone levels, producing a variety of symptoms.

Is it better for TSH to be high or low?

Lower-normal TSH is associated with better metabolic risk factors: A cross-sectional study on Spanish men. Nutr Metab Cardiovasc Dis. 2015 Dec;25(12):1095-103. doi: 10.1016/j.


Can stress affect TSH levels?

Cortisol, the main hormone produced in response to stress, can suppress pituitary function and keep the thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) from being released, thereby inducing hypothyroidism, according to Dr. Wasser.

Can TSH levels change quickly?

In both tests, the blood is taken at the same time of day because TSH levels can fluctuate over the course of 24 hours.

What happens if high TSH is not treated?

In rare cases, a very high TSH level can lead to myxedema coma — a potentially fatal condition in people with longstanding untreated hypothyroidism.


Can high TSH levels cause death?

TSH levels and the risk of death. There are clear effects of thyroid hormone on the heart. Some clinical studies have shown an increased risk of heart disease and death in patients with hypothyroidism, both mild and overt.

What is a high TSH level in a woman?

An optimal TSH level in a woman is 0.4-2.5 mIU/L. For pregnant women, that upper limit is stricter than if you are not pregnant. What is this? A dangerously high level of TSH is above 5.0 mIU/L.

How long does it take for TSH to normalize?

Because of the very long half-life of the hormone, it will take a least three to four weeks for the blood levels of thyroid hormone to stabilize. Then you'll probably have a TSH test every four to eight weeks, and the readings from those tests will be used to determine your precise hypothyroidism treatment.


Can you have a false high TSH?

Most TSH assays used clinically are sandwich immunoassays where one solid phase-bound antibody captures the TSH molecule and a second labeled antibody is used to detect bound TSH. Antibodies present in the patient samples can form a bridge between the capture and detection antibody causing false positive results [1].

Can thyroid levels go back to normal?

Over time the thyroid usually returns to its normal state. Because the stored thyroid hormone has been released, patients may become hypothyroid (where their thyroid gland produces too little thyroid hormone) for a period of time until the thyroid gland can build up new stores of thyroid hormone.

What organs are affected by hypothyroidism?

Hypothyroidism can affect the heart and circulatory system in several ways. Lower production of thyroid hormone slows your heart rate. Hypothyroidism also makes the arteries less elastic, and blood pressure rises in order to circulate blood around the body.


What attacks your thyroid causing hypothyroidism?

Hashimoto's disease is an autoimmune disorder that can cause hypothyroidism, or underactive thyroid. Rarely, the disease can cause hyperthyroidism, or overactive thyroid. Thyroid hormones control how your body uses energy, so they affect nearly every organ in your body—even the way your heart beats.

How does your body feel when you have thyroid problems?

Thyroid disorders can have a noticeable impact on your energy level and mood. Hypothyroidism tends to make people feel tired, sluggish, and depressed. Hyperthyroidism can cause anxiety, problems sleeping, restlessness, and irritability.