What does high TSH thyroid stimulating hormone levels indicate?

Answer 1

What does the test result mean?

NOTE: A standard reference range is not available for this test. Because reference values are dependent on many factors, including patient age, gender, sample population, and test method, numeric test results have different meanings in different labs. Your lab report should include the specific reference range for your test. Lab Tests Online strongly recommends that you discuss your test results with your doctor. For more information on reference ranges, please read Reference Ranges and What They Mean.

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 patients with a known thyroid disorder (or those who have had their thyroid gland removed) are 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. The following table summarizes test results and their potential meaning. TSH T4 T3 Interpretation High Normal Normal Mild (subclinical) hypothyroidism High Low Low or normal Hypothyroidism Low Normal Normal Mild (subclinical) hyperthyroidism Low High or normal High or normal Hyperthyroidism Low Low or normal Low or normal Nonthyroidal illness; Rare pituitary (secondary) hypothyroidism

Is there anything else you should know?

Many medications - including aspirin and thyroid-hormone replacement therapy - may affect thyroid gland function test results, so tell your doctor about any drugs you are taking. When your doctor adjusts your dose of thyroid hormone, it is important to wait at least one to two months before checking your TSH again so that your new dose can have its full effect. Extreme stress and acute illness may also affect TSH test results, and results may be low during the first trimester of pregnancy. What does the test result mean?

NOTE: A standard reference range is not available for this test. Because reference values are dependent on many factors, including patient age, gender, sample population, and test method, numeric test results have different meanings in different labs. Your lab report should include the specific reference range for your test. Lab Tests Online strongly recommends that you discuss your test results with your doctor. For more information on reference ranges, please read Reference Ranges and What They Mean.

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 patients with a known thyroid disorder (or those who have had their thyroid gland removed) are 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. The following table summarizes test results and their potential meaning. TSH T4 T3 Interpretation High Normal Normal Mild (subclinical) hypothyroidism High Low Low or normal Hypothyroidism Low Normal Normal Mild (subclinical) hyperthyroidism Low High or normal High or normal Hyperthyroidism Low Low or normal Low or normal Nonthyroidal illness; Rare pituitary (secondary) hypothyroidism

Is there anything else you should know?

Many medications - including aspirin and thyroid-hormone replacement therapy - may affect thyroid gland function test results, so tell your doctor about any drugs you are taking. When your doctor adjusts your dose of thyroid hormone, it is important to wait at least one to two months before checking your TSH again so that your new dose can have its full effect. Extreme stress and acute illness may also affect TSH test results, and results may be low during the first trimester of pregnancy.

Answer 2

that your baby has Down syndrome