newsprompt.coABNORMAL PAP SMEARS
TSH is a hormone that controls thyroid function. It stands for Thyroid Stimulating Hormone.
It is actually produced by the brain’s pituitary gland, but stimulates production of the hormones triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4) in the thyroid gland.
The amount and balance of these hormones affects almost every physiological process in the body, particular your body’s metabolism.
Cause Of TSH Fluctuation
The release of TSH is first stimulated by a hormone called TRH.
Once TSH makes its way to your thyroid, levels are largely dictated by the amount of T3 and T4 in your blood.
When T3 and T4 levels are low, the body produces more TSH to stimulate the thyroid. But when T3 and T4 levels are high, the body produces less
Several other factors can also influence TSH levels:
- Inflammation of the thyroid gland
- Genetics
- Deficiency or excess of iodine in the diet
- Poisonous substances and radiation exposure
- Pregnancy
- Thyroid disorders
TSH LEVELS
Hypothyroidism TSH Levels
Due to the symbiotic nature TSH has with thyroid hormones, TSH levels in the blood can theoretically be a good marker of thyroid health.
This TSH levels chart presents a simplified version of what different readings can indicate.
| TSH Levels | T3 and T4 Levels | Disease Condition |
| High | High | Tumor of pituitary gland |
| Low | Low | Secondary hypothyroidism |
| Low | High | Grave’s disease |
| High | Low | Hashimoto’s disease |
Those with Graves’ disease (an overactive thyroid) have high low TSH and subsequent high thyroid hormone levels. Hashimoto’s disease (underactive thyroid) is the opposite.
Normal TSH levels
Normal TSH levels for the average adult range from 0.4 4.0 mIU/L (milli-international units per liter) (3).
However, many organisations agree that a reading of 2.5 or less is truly ideal, with anything 2.5 – 4.0 mIU/L considered “at risk”.
For those on thyroxine, goal TSH level is between 0.5 to 2.5 mU/L.
TSH levels for premature birth (28 36 weeks)
- 0.7 27 mIU/L
TSH levels for children
- Birth to 4 days: 1 39 mIU/L
- 2 20 weeks: 1.7 9.1 mIU/L
- 21 weeks to 20 years: 0.7 64 mIU/L
TSH levels for adults
- 21 54 years: 0.4 4.2 mIU/L
- 55 87 years: 0.5 8.9 mIU/L
TSH levels during pregnancy
- First trimester: 0.3 4.5 mIU/L
- Second trimester: 0.3 4.6 mIU/L
- Third trimester: 0.8 5.2 mIU/L
High TSH Levels
A TSH reading above 4.0 mIU/L is considered high (elevated).
High TSH levels typically indicates an underactive thyroid gland, which produces too little thyroid hormone. This is known as hypothyroidism.
Common causes of hypothyroidism include an autoimmune disease (known as Hashimoto’s disease), radiation treatment, or surgical removal of the thyroid gland.
Replacing thyroid hormone and altering your diet are crucial for the safe and effective treatment of an underactive thyroid.
Low TSH levels
A TSH reading below 0.4 mIU/L is considered low.
Low TSH levels typically indicates an overractive thyroid gland, which produces too much thyroid hormone. This is known as hyperthyroidism.
It can be caused by an autoimmune disease (known as Graves’ disease), goiter, excessive iodine in the body, or an overdose of synthetic thyroid hormone.
Initial hyperthyroidism treatment can involve anti thyroid options and radioactive iodine to slow down thyroid hormone production. Most respond well to hyperthyroidism options and are treated successfully.
The Problem With Relying on TSH
TSH is the most well-studied marker for judging thyroid health and function.
It has been the gold standard test for decades, and is considered the most sensitive and accurate indicator by most endocrinologists and other health specialists.
However, more recent research indicates our systematic reliance on TSH is missing the mark. This leaves a lot of hypothyroid cases either misdiagnosed or undiagnosed.
Some clinical studies have found that both T3 and TSH levels can decline at the same time, particularly in obese individuals that lose weight (4, 5).
That means T3 levels can be low, yet TSH will remain in the normal range.
These variables are just the tip of the iceberg, but highlight why TSH is not completely reliable on its own. Considering the pituitary gland (which produces TSH) is unique in its function, it makes sense that some metabolic processes and outside stressors can influence TSH activity.
This is something to discuss with your healthcare expert if your TSH readings are high-normal, yet you still feel seriously unwell.
TREAT THYROID PROBLEMS NATURALLY
1. Eat Sea Vegetables Twice a Week
Sea vegetables are a good natural source of iodine to support the thyroid. Incorporating some sea veggies into your diet can be as simple as:
- Adding a piece of kombu to a pot of beans or soup during cooking
- Sprinkle kelp granules over your salads or hot dishes just like you would use salt
- Making a nori wrap (this is what’s used to wrap sushi)
2. Don’t Be Afraid of Butter
“The endocrine system loves butter,” Andrea said. Even if you’re cutting out other forms of dairy like milk and cheese, consider keeping grass-fed butter (like KerryGold butter) in your diet
3. Cook Your Kale
If you have thyroid issues, then raw cruciferous vegetables may not be the best choice. You might want to skip the kale smoothies and salads, and eat your greens cooked instead. The reason is that the cruciferous vegetables contain goitrogens that may disrupt the thyroid if consumed in large quantities. Other cruciferous veggies include cabbage, Brussels sprouts, broccoli and cauliflower.
4. Slow Down Your Eating
The thyroid gland is located in your throat area, so it literally connects the mind and body. When you rush while eating, the food moves so quickly from mouth to stomach that the connection from mind to body is not strong. The mouth doesn’t know what the stomach is doing and vice versa. This is good health advice no matter what: sit down, slow down, savor, breathe and chew your food. Since the thyroid is the master of your metabolism, you want to eat slowly enough so it can record the message that food is entering the body.
5. Do Yoga
During my experience at yoga teacher training, I was astonished and delighted to learn how much the yoga asanas can stimulate and support the entire endocrine system. The shoulderstand (sarvangasana) is especially beneficial for stimulating the thyroid gland.
