Hypothyroidism / Hashimoto's Disease Panel near me in Delhi

The TSH (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone) Ultrasensitive test measures the levels of TSH hormone in the blood. TSH is produced by the pituitary gland located at the base of the brain. Its function is to stimulate and regulate the functioning of the thyroid gland. It signals the thyroid gland to increase or decrease the production of thyroid hormones T3 and T4 when their levels are low or high, respectively. Therefore, when the levels of T3 & T4 decrease, the pituitary gland is stimulated to release TSH. This high TSH level, in turn, stimulates the thyroid gland to release more thyroid hormones (T3 & T4). Vice versa happens when the levels of thyroid hormones increase.

What Do the Results Mean?

Pathological Factors

Physiological Factors

 🧒Age: TSH may slightly increase with age.

🫄 Pregnancy: TSH levels may drop in early pregnancy because of hormonal changes.

🧑‍🦳 Gender: Women generally have higher TSH levels than men and are more prone to thyroid imbalances, especially during pregnancy, after childbirth, or around menopause.

⚖️ Body Weight & Metabolism: Weight gain or loss can slightly affect TSH levels.

Lifestyle Factors

🥗 Diet: Too little iodine can increase TSH, while too much may lower it.

😟 Stress: Long-term stress can disturb thyroid hormone balance.

💊 Medications: Some medicines, like steroids or lithium, can change TSH levels.

🛌 Sleep Patterns: Poor sleep can affect thyroid hormone control.

🚬 Smoking & Alcohol: Smoking may lower TSH, and too much alcohol can harm thyroid function.

🏃 Physical Activity: Regular exercise supports thyroid health, but extreme workouts can cause temporary TSH changes.

Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only and should not replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your healthcare provider for personalized guidance.

What Do Normal TSH (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone) Ultrasensitive Levels Mean?

Normal TSH levels indicate that your thyroid is functioning well, producing the right amount of thyroid hormones (T3 and T4) to regulate metabolism, energy, and overall body functions. Balanced TSH suggests your body is maintaining proper hormonal balance, supporting healthy weight, energy levels, mood, and cardiovascular health.

What Do High Levels of TSH (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone) Ultrasensitive Indicate?

High TSH levels usually mean the thyroid is underactive (hypothyroidism). The pituitary gland releases extra TSH to make the thyroid produce more hormones.

Common causes include:

• Autoimmune thyroid problems like Hashimoto’s thyroiditis
• Pituitary gland disorders
• Recovery after illness or thyroid surgery
• Some medicines or a lack of nutrients

What to Do if Your TSH (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone) Is Higher Than Normal?

If your TSH level is high, talk to your doctor. They may: 

• Recheck with more thyroid tests (T3, T4, or antibodies)
• Review your medicines, diet, and health history
• Recommend thyroid hormone treatment if required
• Track symptoms like tiredness, weight gain, feeling cold, or hair loss

Timely management can help control thyroid imbalances effectively.

What Do Low Levels of TSH (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone) Ultrasensitive Indicate?

Low TSH levels usually mean your thyroid is overactive (hyperthyroidism). This happens when the thyroid releases excess thyroid hormones, so the pituitary gland reduces TSH production.

Possible causes include:

• Graves’ disease (autoimmune thyroid disorder)
• Thyroid nodules that produce extra hormones
• Thyroid inflammation (thyroiditis)
• Taking too much thyroid medicine

If your TSH is low, your doctor may suggest more tests like T3, T4, thyroid antibody tests, or an ultrasound to find the cause and decide the right treatment.

Can TSH Results Be Inaccurate?

Yes. Certain factors such as pregnancy, recent illness, medications, or underlying pituitary or thyroid disorders can affect TSH levels and lead to inaccurate results. If your results do not match your symptoms or overall health, your doctor may suggest repeating the test or additional testing. 

What Factors Can Affect TSH (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone) Ultrasensitive Results?

The TSH (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone) Ultrasensitive test is reliable, but a few factors can affect its accuracy, such as:

• Recent thyroid surgery or radioactive iodine treatment
• Taking biotin supplements
• Severe illness or hospitalization
• Certain medicines (like amiodarone or lithium)
• Pregnancy

What Follow-Up Tests May Be Required?

Based on your TSH results, your doctor may suggest more tests to better understand your thyroid health. These tests may include:

Table: Tests Commonly Ordered Alongside TSH

How Does TSH Test Differ from Other Thyroid Tests?

It is important to understand how the TSH test differs from other common thyroid tests:

TSH (Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone): Measures how much signal the pituitary gland is sending to the thyroid to make hormones.

Total T4: Measures the overall amount of thyroxine (T4) in the blood, including both bound and unbound forms, to understand thyroid hormone production.

Free T4 (FT4): Checks the active form of T4 that is available for use by the body. It helps assess how well the thyroid is functioning.

Total T3: Measures the total amount of triiodothyronine (T3), the active hormone derived from T4, often helpful in detecting hyperthyroidism.

Free T3 (FT3): Evaluates the unbound, active T3 level to understand how efficiently T4 is being converted to T3.

Thyroid Antibody Tests (TPOAb, TgAb): Identify autoimmune thyroid conditions like Hashimoto’s thyroiditis or Graves’ disease.

In autoimmune thyroid disorders, such as Hashimoto's thyroiditis and Graves’ disease, the immune system produces antibodies against thyroid peroxidase (TPO), an enzyme found in the thyroid gland. An Anti-TPO Antibody (Anti-Thyroid Peroxidase Antibody) test detects and measures the levels of these anti-thyroid peroxidase (anti-TPO) antibodies in your blood.

TPO is found in the cells of the thyroid follicle and helps produce the thyroid hormones thyroxine (T4) or triiodothyronine (T3). The presence of anti-TPO antibodies indicates autoimmune activity against the thyroid gland. These antibodies contribute to inflammation and damage to thyroid cells, thus leading to thyroid dysfunction.

The Thyroxine - Free (FT4) test measures the free form of thyroxine (T4) hormone made by the thyroid gland. T4 hormone exists in the blood in two forms: bound (attached to proteins) and free (not attached to proteins). Most of the T4 hormone circulating in the blood is bound to proteins and only a small part is free. A delicate balance of bound and free T4 should be maintained to ensure the proper functioning of the body.