|  | Conditions Treatments | Thyroid Disease

When to Medicate for a Low Thyroid

Hypothyroidism is a condition in which your thyroid gland is underactive. This also is sometimes referred to as a low thyroid. Hypothyroidism develops as a result of your thyroid's lack of ability to produce thyroid hormones. These hormones are called thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3). Your doctor will perform tests to determine how much medication you need to make up for the missing hormones in your thyroid.

  1. TSH

    • Check your TSH levels with your doctor through a blood test. TSH, or thyroid stimulating hormone, is produced by your pituitary gland, located inside of your brain. TSH signals to your thyroid gland the amount of thyroid hormones it needs to produce to regulate your body's metabolic rate. This affects your appetite, weight, heartbeat, mood, temperature and bowel movements.

      According to LabtestsOnline.org, a high TSH level is indicative of a low thyroid. This contradiction can be confusing. This high level of TSH, however, means that the pituitary gland is being over-worked because the thyroid gland is not responding. A high TSH level may indicate other thyroid problems, so it is imperative that you check T3 and T4 hormone levels in your blood as well.

    T3 and T4

    • Your doctor should check your T3 and T4 hormone levels in your blood in order to make a proper diagnosis. According to LabtestsOnline.org, a mild case of hypothyroidism may be indicated by a high TSH level and normal T3 and T4 hormone levels. A more severe case of a low thyroid is indicated by a high TSH level in conjunction with low to normal T3 levels and low T4 levels.

Thyroid Disease - Related Articles