Thyroid Function Tests

Hi, Elisabeth here, head nurse of Genexia Health Inc. Thyroid tests are commonly asked for. I wrote this blog to hopefully provide some insight into why this is requested and what can be learned from it. 

What is a TSH

A TSH is a common blood test that measures the level of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) in your blood. TSH is produced by the pituitary gland and stimulates the thyroid gland to produce thyroid hormones. A TSH can help detect a wide range of conditions, including hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, and thyroid cancer.

What is the thyroid gland

The thyroid gland is a butterfly-shaped gland located in the neck. It produces hormones that regulate the body’s metabolism, which is the process of converting food into energy.

Why is it done

A TSH is done for many reasons. It can be part of a medical exam to check general health and to look for conditions, such as hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism. It can also help diagnose a medical condition, find the cause of symptoms such as weight gain, fatigue, and depression, and keep an eye on conditions that affect thyroid function. A TSH may also be used to monitor treatment with medicines that affect thyroid function.

What does the result show

A TSH measures the level of TSH in your blood. The normal range for TSH is between 0.4 and 4.0 milli-international units per liter (mIU/L). Please discuss your results with your doctor

Hypothyroidism vs Hyperthyroidism

1. Hypothyroidism is a condition in which the thyroid gland doesn’t produce enough thyroid hormone. This can cause a wide range of symptoms, including fatigue, weight gain, constipation, dry skin, and sensitivity to cold. Hypothyroidism is more common in women than men and is most often diagnosed in people over the age of 60. Hypothyroidism is a common condition, affecting approximately 5% of the population in the United States. 
2. Hyperthyroidism is a condition in which the thyroid gland produces too much thyroid hormone. This can cause a wide range of symptoms, including weight loss, rapid or irregular heartbeat, hand tremors, nervousness, anxiety, irritability, increased sweating, sensitivity to heat, changes in bowel patterns, and more. Hyperthyroidism can be caused by several medical conditions that affect the thyroid gland, such as Graves’ disease, toxic nodular goiter, thyroiditis, and taking too much thyroid medicine. Hyperthyroidism is a relatively common condition, affecting approximately 1% of the population in the United States. It is more common in women than men.

Do you have to fast

If your blood sample is being tested only for a TSH, you can eat and drink as usual before the test. If your blood sample also will be used for other tests, you might need to fast for a certain amount of time before the test. We do recommend, however, that you take your thyroid medications after the blood test on the day of testing.

Can TSH levels change throughout the day?

Yes, TSH levels can vary throughout the day. They are usually highest in the early morning and lowest in the evening. TSH levels can also be affected by other factors, such as stress, illness, and certain medications.

Why a TSH test over other tests 

A TSH is often the best way to monitor thyroid function. However, if a person has abnormally high or low TSH levels, the doctor may need to perform at least one other diagnostic test to identify the underlying cause. These tests look at levels of specific thyroid hormones and antibodies.

I hope this blog post has answered your questions about TSH. If you have any further questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us at Genexia Health Inc. (514) 396-9022 or [email protected]. Click the link to learn more about getting a blood test done with us.