What was your tsh level

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. Biochemical testing of the thyroid: TSH is the best and, oftentimes, only test needed - A review for primary care. Clin Med Res. Biondi B. Normal TSH reference range: What has changed in the last decade? Leng O, Razvi S. Hypothyroidism in the older population. Thyroid Res. American Thyroid Association. Thyroid and pregnancy: Thyroid status and risk of miscarriage.

Chaker L. De Leo S. Ross DS. Pitfalls in the measurement and interpretation of thyroid function tests. Interferences with thyroid function immunoassays: Clinical implications and detection algorithm. Endocrine Rev. Does fasting or postprandial state affect thyroid function testing?

Indian J Endocrinol Metab. Thyroid tests. Reviewed May Effect of high-dose biotin on thyroid function tests: Case report and literature review. The association between subclinical hypothyroidism and sleep quality: A population-based study. Risk Manag Healthc Policy. Derwahl M, Nicula D. 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. A person may need to take beta-blockers and antithyroid medications. Another effective treatment is radioiodine therapy. This involves taking a capsule or liquid that contains radioactive iodine, which destroys cells that produce thyroid hormones.

However, people who take radioiodine therapy may develop hypothyroidism in the future. Surgical removal of the thyroid gland can treat severe hyperthyroidism.

Doctors often reserve this for people who cannot take first-line medications, such as during pregnancy. A TSH test measures the amount of the hormone in the blood. Doctors can use the results to diagnose thyroid conditions, such as hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism.

Reference ranges remain controversial, but for most people, the normal range falls between 0. Having an overactive or underactive thyroid can cause health issues that interfere with daily life. During pregnancy, unusually high or low TSH levels can lead to complications. Some supplements that claim to boost thyroid health are now commercially available. However, they could lead to dangerous complications. Learn more. The thyroid gland produces hormones that affect metabolism, mood, breathing, heart rate, and more.

Learn more about thyroid gland function. Find out what outside temperatures have to do with…. If you have symptoms of, or a history with thyroid disorders, it may make sense for you to check your TSH levels with an at-home TSH test.

These are…. Learn why a thyroid-stimulating hormone test is performed, what to expect during the test, and what the test results may mean. Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. Medically reviewed by Kevin Martinez, M.

Think of your pituitary gland as a thyroid thermometer: Abnormally high TSH levels usually mean that your thyroid is underperforming. Your pituitary gland reacts to a lack of thyroid hormones by producing extra TSH to make up the difference. This is called hypothyroidism. Your pituitary gland responds accordingly by decreasing TSH production to get thyroid function under control. This is called hyperthyroidism. Here are the estimated normal, low, and high ranges of TSH levels for adults, based on a study : Age range Normal Low High 18—30 years 0.

TSH levels in women. TSH levels in men. TSH levels in children. Age range Normal Low High 0—4 days 1. TSH levels during pregnancy. Stage of pregnancy Normal Low High First trimester 0. How are abnormal TSH levels treated? The takeaway. Read this next.