High TSH levels indicate hypothyroidism. People develop hypothyroidism when their thyroid produces low levels of hormones. When the thyroid gland does not produce enough hormones, the pituitary gland produces more TSH to compensate.
Symptoms of hypothyroidism include:. Low TSH levels indicate hyperthyroidism. This is also known as an overactive thyroid. If the thyroid gland is secreting levels of hormones that are too high, the pituitary gland produces less TSH. Symptoms of hyperthyroidism include:.
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. Study participants ranged in age from 77 to , with a mean age of Based on our work and those of other groups, we hypothesized that subclinical hypothyroidism would not be associated with mortality. To determine the right dosage of levothyroxine initially, your doctor generally checks your level of TSH after six to eight weeks.
After that, blood levels are generally checked six months later. Excessive amounts of the hormone can cause side effects, such as:. If you have coronary artery disease or severe hypothyroidism, your doctor may start treatment with a smaller amount of medication and gradually increase the dosage. Progressive hormone replacement allows your heart to adjust to the increase in metabolism. Levothyroxine causes virtually no side effects when used in the appropriate dose and is relatively inexpensive.
If you change brands, let your doctor know to ensure you're still receiving the right dosage. Also, don't skip doses or stop taking the drug because you're feeling better. If you do, the symptoms of hypothyroidism will gradually return. Certain medications, supplements and even some foods may affect your ability to absorb levothyroxine. Talk to your doctor if you eat large amounts of soy products or a high-fiber diet or you take other medications, such as:.
Levothyroxine is best taken on an empty stomach at the same time every day. Ideally, you'll take the hormone in the morning and wait an hour before eating or taking other medications. If you take it at bedtime, wait four hours after your last meal or snack. If you have subclinical hypothyroidism, discuss treatment with your doctor. For a relatively mild increase in TSH, you probably won't benefit from thyroid hormone therapy, and treatment could even be harmful.
On the other hand, for a higher TSH level, thyroid hormones may improve your cholesterol level, the pumping ability of your heart and your energy level. Although most doctors recommend synthetic thyroxine, natural extracts containing thyroid hormone derived from the thyroid glands of pigs are available. These products contain both thyroxine and triiodothyronine. Synthetic thyroid medications contain thyroxine only, and the triiodothyronine your body needs is derived from the thyroxine.
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