One of the most important indicators of human health and the normal functioning of the body is an indicator of thyrotropin levels – the hormone tsh (TSH). It is synthesized in the pituitary gland and has an effect on the thyroid gland. If the work of the gland is disrupted, then this is fraught with a malfunction in the work of all organs and systems of a person.

What is the role of thyrotropin in the body?

Insufficient production of hormones in the pituitary gland leads to metabolic and reproductive system disorders. TSH takes part in the production of thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3) – responsible for the normal metabolism of proteins and fats in the body, normal functioning of the gastrointestinal tract, supporting physical activity, normal mental state, oxygen metabolism, heart rate, etc. T3, T4 and thyroid-stimulating hormone have a certain connection with each other, and a decrease or increase in the level of any of them leads to a failure in the synthesis of the rest. 

If the thyroid gland is functioning much more actively than necessary, TSH is produced in small quantities. Conversely, when the thyroid gland does not work to its full extent, the tsh hormone is synthesized in larger quantities than is needed for the human body.   

Changes in TSH levels are also dependent on brain function.

With a decrease in thyroxine in the blood, the pituitary gland begins to produce thyrotropin. After that, the thyroid gland strengthens its work and begins to give out excess doses of thyroxine (T4).

Symptoms that indicate that you need to do a study on the level of hormones responsible for the functioning of the thyroid gland :

• Heart arythmy,
• mental retardation,
• infertility or impotence,
• hair loss and baldness,
• lack of menstruation,
• depression,
• decreased sex drive.

What are the normal levels of thyrotropin hormone in different categories

The TSH level depends on the age and gender of the person.

• The highest level of the hormone occurs in babies after birth 1-39 mmE, then it can decrease. For children under 6 years old, normal numbers are at the level of 0.8-6 mU / l, after 6 and up to 14 years old 0.28-4.3 mU / l, after 14 years – 0.28 – 3.8 mU / l … If the newborn has too high TSH levels, it may indicate the presence of various problems (pituitary tumor or hypothyroidism).  
• The norm in women TSH is in the range of 0.4 – 4.0 mU / l, this indicator may be slightly lower in women expecting a baby: the range is 0.2-3.5 mU / l.
• The rate of indications in men usually varies between 0.4 d – 4.90 IU / l.

If the TSH level is higher than normal, the person does not have enough hormones. 

How the research is done

To study the level of hormones, you need to donate venous blood. Preparation for this process is as follows:

• preparations containing iodine and hormonal agents are canceled 3-4 days before blood donation,
• fried, fatty, smoked, alcohol on the eve of blood donation is excluded from the diet,
• you need to avoid stressful situations,
• exclude physical activity,
• no smoking.

It is recommended to donate blood early in the morning and on an empty stomach, since the highest concentration of hormones is observed from 3-4 a.m. to 7-8 a.m.

What does thyroid hormone levels indicate?

At an elevated level, symptoms may occur:

• losing or gaining too much body weight;
• the skin turns yellow;
• hearing impairment;
• Difficulty nasal breathing;
• periocular puffiness;
• sensations of cold;
• increased hair brittleness and brittle nails;
• flatulence, constipation;
• women may experience irregularities in the menstrual cycle.

The following pathologies or diseases are the reason for the increased levels of the TSH hormone:

• vascularization of the thyroid gland;
• pituitary tumor;
• psychical deviations;
• hypothyroidism;
• pituitary adenoma;
• disturbances in the work of the adrenal glands;
• Hashimoto’s thyroiditis.

An elevated hormone level is not always indicative of illness. Sometimes it rises slightly during exercise, intoxication, certain medical procedures (such as hemodialysis), lead poisoning, removal of the gallbladder. If the level has a significant excess, then this is evidence of thyroid disease or disorders in the functioning of the hypothalamus and pituitary gland. It could be hypothyroidism. In the case of an increase in TSH values ​​above 7.1 mIU / ml, this may be evidence of the appearance of hyperthyroidism. The doctor then prescribes treatment with special drugs, now synthetically obtained funds are used more often. These are eutirox, L-thyroxine, triiodothyronine hydrochloride, levothyroxine sodium, etc.
The following factors indicate a lack of the TSH hormone in the body:

• fatigue;
• lethargy;
• apathy;
• narrowing of the eye slits;
• dry skin;
• swelling;
• drowsiness;
• decreased appetite;
• insomnia;
• toxic goiter;
• decreased mental ability;
• Plummer’s disease;
• increased thyroid function;
• decrease in the function of the pituitary gland;
• pregnancy;
• trauma to the pituitary gland or tumor and other pathologies or abnormalities.

A low level can be a signal of the presence of a cancerous tumor.

Often, a decrease in TSH levels can be associated with toxic goiter or taking medications that contain excessive amounts of thyroid hormones, as well as as a result of fasting or stress.