What should tsh level be for normal

It's for this reason that healthcare providers have varied opinions about what the optimal TSH level should be. While most laboratories define a normal TSH as between roughly 0.

The reasoning behind this is that the vast majority of adults without thyroid disease have a TSH value between 0. In addition, some healthcare providers believe older patients should have a TSH level that is greater than 4. Healthcare providers can avoid some of this controversy simply by looking at each person as an individual.

For example, a person who still has significant symptoms of hypothyroidism at a TSH of 4. In contrast, someone who has health risks—such as heart disease or osteoporosis—may benefit from having a goal TSH that is higher, perhaps around 5. In pregnancy, TSH should not be allowed to rise above 2. That protects the health of both the baby and mother. A normal TSH value is generally defined as between. But opinions about this vary, since everyone has a personal "normal" that depends on their age and overall health.

For example, your target level may be higher if you have heart disease or lower if you are pregnant. A high TSH means different things depending on whether a person has known thyroid disease or not. A high TSH in people who are not undergoing thyroid disease treatment usually indicates the presence of primary hypothyroidism.

This is by far the most common form of hypothyroidism , and it occurs because the thyroid gland produces an inadequate amount of thyroid hormones. The pituitary gland senses these low levels and increases the production of TSH.

An elevated TSH may also occur with normal thyroid function due to the presence of antibodies , proteins made by the immune system.

A high TSH may be found in people being treated for either hypo- or hyperthyroidism. With hypothyroidism, a high TSH usually means that the dose of thyroid hormone replacement needs to be increased.

In some cases, however, the dose is okay, but the medication is not being fully absorbed. For example, many foods and medications can affect the absorption of Synthroid levothyroxine in your system. Learning what to avoid while taking this medication is important for it to work properly.

With hyperthyroidism, a high TSH usually means that the treatment —be it surgery, radioactive iodine, or medications—was so effective in limiting the production of thyroid hormone it caused the person to become hypothyroid. A low TSH often means that a person has an elevated level of thyroid hormones. Low TSH is most often associated with hyperthyroidism.

This can be due to a number of causes, ranging from autoimmune disease to lumps in the thyroid gland toxic nodules to an abnormally enlarged thyroid gland goiter. It can also occur during a normal pregnancy as thyroid hormones are affected by "the pregnancy hormone" human chorionic gonadotropin HCG.

Less often, a lack of TSH produced by the pituitary gland due to dysfunction can lead to low levels of thyroid hormone in the blood—a condition known as central hypothyroidism. This is an exception to the general rule that hypothyroidism is associated with a high TSH. Central hypothyroidism is uncommon and usually associated with a deficiency of other pituitary hormones.

This deficiency leads to a number of other symptoms as well. In people being treated for hypothyroidism, a low TSH level may mean:. In people being treated for hyperthyroidism, a low TSH level usually means that further treatment is needed to reduce thyroid hormone levels. It could also mean that a person must continue to be monitored to make sure thyroid hormone levels return to normal. This is often the case for people who have temporary thyroiditis related to pregnancy or chemotherapy treatment.

There are a number of factors that can affect TSH levels. These are important to consider because lab values don't tell the whole story about someone's condition. A treatment plan that does not also consider someone's symptoms may prove to be ineffective. If a TSH test result is unexpected, simply repeating the test is often the best course of action.

Errors can occur during the blood draw, in transcribing the results, or due to mix-ups in the lab. Statistically, there is always a risk of lab error, and results should always be interpreted along with clinical symptoms and findings. A number of other factors can affect TSH test results , including:. A capillary finger prick test, or blood spot test, is a somewhat controversial alternative to traditional TSH testing. It uses a finger prick rather than a standard blood draw from your vein to evaluate thyroid function.

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. Infants with congenital hypothyroidism can also be born with high TSH levels. The risks and complications of underactive thyroid vary based on age.

Hypothyroidism can be asymptomatic in its early stages. As it progresses, you may experience some or all of these symptoms below. Many of the symptoms are nonspecific and can be seen in other conditions as well.

Having a doctor monitor your thyroid gland and its production of thyroid hormones is the only way to comprehensively determine thyroid health. It works in partnership with the pituitary and hypothalamus glands. These glands stimulate the thyroid to secrete two hormones, which are then released into the bloodstream: T4 and T3.

If your thyroid gland produces too much T4, hyperthyroidism overactive thyroid can result. A doctor will diagnose a thyroid disorder by reviewing your medical history, conducting a physical examination, and doing multiple tests, including a blood test.

In some, but not all, instances, you may need a thyroid ultrasound or thyroid scan. Treatments for hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism can change over time, based on the severity of the condition and your response to medication.

Hypothyroidism is treated with levothyroxine Synthroid , a synthetic thyroid hormone. Your dosage may change over time and is usually adjusted based on blood levels.

Hyperthyroidism may be treated several ways. Your age, the severity of the condition, the underlying cause, and your overall health will be taken into account. Treatments include:. Thyroid level tests, including the TSH test, can determine if your thyroid is producing too much or too little thyroid hormone.

Your thyroid gland is responsible for growth and metabolism in your body. Here are 10 common signs and symptoms of hypothyroidism, or low thyroid….

A combination of the right nutrients and medications may help restore thyroid function and minimize symptoms of hypothyroidism. Here's all you need to…. Subclinical hyperthyroidism is when your thyroid stimulating hormone TSH is low but your T3 and T4 levels are normal. In some cases, it needs to be…. Learn about causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatments. 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. For example, a year-old woman may have normal TSH around 4. And stress, your diet, medications, and having your period can all make TSH fluctuate. TSH levels change inversely with how much thyroid hormone is in your body. Think of your pituitary gland as a thyroid thermometer:.

Here are the estimated normal, low, and high ranges of TSH levels for adults, based on a study :. Women are at greater risk for developing abnormal TSH levels during menstruation , when giving birth, and after going through menopause.

Around 5 percent of women in the United States have some kind of thyroid condition, compared with 3 percent of men. Despite claims that high TSH increases your risk for heart disease, a study found no link between high TSH and heart conditions such as a heart attack.

But a study showed that older women are especially at risk for developing thyroid cancer if they have high TSH levels along with thyroid nodules. Both high and low TSH can affect fertility. Men with hypo- or hyperthyroidism both had fewer normally shaped sperm. And men are more susceptible than women to complications like irregular development of the genitals if they have high TSH.

Taking thyroid hormone replacement therapy may be necessary for men to balance TSH. TSH levels in children can vary based on their age:. A study that closely measured TSH levels in kids from birth to as old as 18 years found wildly different TSH levels throughout their lives.

High TSH levels and hypothyroidism can especially affect chances of a miscarriage. As a result, a small percentage of pregnant women may receive levothyroxine Synthroid , methimazole Tapazole , or propylthiouracil PTU to help control TSH and thyroid hormone levels, especially if they have hypo- or hyperthyroidism. Successful treatment of high TSH and hypothyroidism during pregnancy can lower your chances of having a miscarriage. Control of TSH levels can also help prevent other pregnancy complications , such as:.

This can lead to long-term complications if you have an underlying condition that leads to hypo- or hyperthyroidism. Make sure you get your TSH levels tested regularly, especially if you have a family history of thyroid disorders or have seen abnormal TSH levels on previous test results.