How to Read TSH Levels

Thyroid stimulating hormone is secreted by the pituitary gland and is part of the body's mechanism that controls the amounts of thyroid hormones in your body. Thyroid hormones play an important role in regulating your metabolism. Any lack of coordination among the organs and mechanisms involved in stabilizing your thyroid hormones results in an abnormal hormone levels. These abnormal hormone levels affect the way your body uses energy and cause symptoms such as weight gain or loss, fatigue, nervousness, rapid or slow heart rate, cold intolerance and difficulty sleeping. Doctors start their evaluation of your thyroid health by ordering a TSH test.

Things You'll Need

• Laboratory blood test report

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Instructions

• 1

  Scan your report to find the normal ranges your testing laboratory lists for TSH levels. Normal ranges vary slightly from lab to lab, as well as between genders and among age groups. The specific normal range based on your age, gender and testing method is listed in your lab report.

• 2

  Compare the value listed in your lab report against the normal range listed for you. A higher than normal result, generally indicated with an "H," or a lower than normal result indicated with an "L" shows an abnormal TSH result that warrants further testing. A TSH value that falls within the normal range shows that your TSH level is normal.

• 3

  Discuss your TSH result with your health care provider. An abnormal TSH level indicates a problem in your thyroid health, but to determine the cause, further blood testing, or X-rays sometimes, are necessary. Generally, your doctor evaluates your levels of thyroid hormones (T3 and T4) and compares them to your TSH level. A high TSH level with low to normal thyroid hormones results diagnoses hypothyroidism. A low TSH level with normal to high thyroid hormone results diagnosis hyperthyroidism. Pituitary gland damage can cause low levels of TSH, as well as low thyroid hormones levels.