Hi woody60!!
TRH (thyrotropin-releasing hormone), a hormone produced in the
hypothalamus, stimulates the pituitary gland to release TSH
(thyroid-stimulating hormone).
TSH subsequently stimulates the thyroid to produce thyroid hormone,
triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4). These hormones feedback to
the hypothalamus and pituitary to regulate the release of both TSH and
TRH.
In certain diseases, this regulation pathway is altered leading to
under- or over-production of thyroid hormone. When a thyroid disorder
is suspected clinically, a TSH level is obtained as an initial test.
TSH is measured as a screening test for abnormal thyroid function. A
thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) blood test is used to detect
problems affecting the thyroid gland. This test measures the amount of
the hormone TSH in the blood.
The results of this test is expresed in milli-international units per
liter (mIU/L), an international unit is an arbitrary amount of a
substance agreed upon by scientists and doctors. A milli-international
unit is one-thousandth of an international unit.
A numerical result value is dependent on many factors, including
patient age and condition, gender, sample population and test method
used, so the numeric test results may have different meanings. Always
discuss the results with a doctor.
Common normal result values ranges are:
Newborns: 3 ? 20 mIU/L
Adults: 0.4 ? 5.0 mIU/L
NOTES about normal ranges:
·These ranges may vary slightly among different laboratories.
·If you are being treated for a thyroid disorder, your TSH should be
between 0.3 and 3.0 mIU/L. This means that you are being treated
appropriately.
·Some people with a TSH value over 2.5 mIU/L who have no signs (that
is, no other abnormal thyroid function tests) or symptoms suggestive
of an under-active thyroid may develop hypothyroidism sometime in the
future. Anyone with a TSH above 2.5 mIU/L, therefore, should be
followed very closely by a doctor.
-What abnormal results means?:
" - High values -
A high thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) test result often indicates
an underactive thyroid gland caused by failure of the thyroid gland
(primary hypothyroidism). Hashimoto's thyroiditis is the most common
cause of primary hypothyroidism.
On rare occasions, a high TSH value can occur from a pituitary gland
tumor that is producing excess amounts of TSH. In this case, the
person usually has symptoms of hyperthyroidism such as weight loss,
rapid heart rate, nervousness, diarrhea, a feeling of being too hot,
or irregular menstrual periods. Other thyroid hormone test results
will likely be high as well.
A high TSH value can also occur in people who have an underactive
thyroid gland and are receiving too little thyroid hormone medication.
- Low values -
A low thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) value can indicate an
overactive thyroid gland (hyperthyroidism). Causes of hyperthyroidism
include Graves' disease, a type of goiter (multinodular goiter), or a
noncancerous (benign) tumor called a toxic nodule.
A low TSH value can also indicate damage to the pituitary gland that
prevents it from producing TSH (secondary hypothyroidism). In this
case, the person usually has symptoms of hypothyroidism such as weight
gain, tiredness, dry skin, constipation, a feeling of being too cold,
or frequent menstrual periods.
A low TSH value can occur in people who have an underactive thyroid
gland and are receiving too much thyroid hormone medication."
From "Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone (TSH)"
http://my.webmd.com/hw/health_guide_atoz/hw28656.asp
Your test result of 42.64mlU/L is clearly a HIGH LEVEL value and it
could be indicating an hypothyroidism condition and or other
disorders.
Some common symptoms of underactive thyroids are:
Weight Gain
Depression
Fatigue
Cold Intolerance
Dry Skin
Hair Dryness or Hair Loss
Forgetfulness
Muscle Cramps
Edema
Constipation
Menstrual Irregularities (especially heavy menstrual periods)
To confirm the diagnosis some additional tests may be needed (T3 and
T4 levels, etc.), you must consult a doctor to discuss with him the
next steps.
For references see:
"Why Low TSH means Less Medicine and Other Confusing Thyroid Issues":
http://thyroid.about.com/od/thyroidbasicsthyroid101/a/confusion.htm
"Interpretation of Thyroid Tests":
http://www.endocrineweb.com/tests.html
"Hypothyroidism: Symptoms and Treatments of Hypothyroidism and
Hypothyroid Disease; Hypo-Thyroid":
http://www.endocrineweb.com/hypo1.html
"MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: TSH":
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003684.htm
"MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Hypothyroidism":
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000353.htm
"MayoClinic.com - Hypothyroidism":
http://www.mayoclinic.com/invoke.cfm?id=DS00353
"Diagnosing Thyroid Disorders":
http://www.virginiamason.org/dbEndocrinology/sec80761.htm
This Google results page will be usefull:
"Google Search: Hypothyroidism"
://www.google.com/search?q=Hypothyroidism
Search strategy:
thyroid TSH test
thyroid TSH test "low level"
thyroid TSH test "high level"
Hypothyroidism
I hope that this helps you. Feel free to request for a clarification
if you need it.
Best regards.
livioflores-ga |
Request for Answer Clarification by
woody60-ga
on
11 Apr 2005 00:05 PDT
livioflores-ga, well done on the resources used to answer this
question. I realize you cannot make an opinion about the result of
the test which is exceptionally high and therefore may suggest a. bad
test sample (done twice with same result) b. caused by unuasual
interaction of intake of medication of other sorts such as ibuprofen,
aspirin, cold medication or allergy indications medications. Is it
possible to send me to a site that might provide a non medical cause
and affect? Additional information may be needed in order to suggest
an answer not in the normal reference information that could cause
such a drastic result? Cancer has been ruled out and several other
possible causes. My Dr. has increased Supplement thyroid hormone to
.125MG. I am female, 60yo, had thyroid rmoved with iodine therepy and
have always been a hyperthyroid body type. I have always been the
same weight since 17 years old with very little change. I am very
active physically using sports, skiing (live in a ski resort for 34
years), tennis, basketball, volleyball, bicycle (my new passion and
plan on senior olympics in 3 years), lots of family and a regumine
conducive to this lifestyle. I don't drink very much alcohol (near
beer is as good as it gets), smoke or eat very fatty sorts of food. I
do not diet but use the "anything in moderation" type of theory. I go
back to the Dr. in two weeks after this medication change. I am
asking to enable me to decide on a Dr. change. Thank you for the
great resorces provided.
|
Clarification of Answer by
livioflores-ga
on
11 Apr 2005 09:11 PDT
Hi woody60!!
Thank you for the good rating and the comments.
Regarding your request of a clarification note that if you are under
thyroid disorder treatment your TSH should be between 0.3 and 3.0
mIU/L. This is not your case and this can mean that you are not being
treated appropriately but I cannot decide that, I suggest you a second
doctor opinion.
There are also drugs that can affect TSH measurements, the list
include: antithyroid medications, lithium, potassium iodide,
amiodarone, dopamine and prednisone.
Read the following paragraph:
"What Affects the Test (TSH):
Factors that can interfere with your test and the accuracy of the results include:
·Medications, such as corticosteroids, levodopa, aspirin, heparin,
dopamine, lithium (such as Carbolith, Duralith, Lithane), methimazole
(Tapazole), and propylthiouracil.
·Recent X-rays with iodine dye or tests using radioactive materials.
·Severe stress or long-term (chronic) illness.
·The first trimester of pregnancy.
From "Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone (TSH)":
http://my.webmd.com/hw/health_guide_atoz/hw28656.asp
I hope that this helps you. I will continue researching and if I find
something interesting for you I will post it here.
Regards.
livioflores-ga
|
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