Treat elevated TSH. If women have elevated TSH - what does it mean and what measures should be taken

08.03.2020 -

A thyroid stimulating hormone, or TSH, test will help identify a malfunction endocrine system at an early stage, or to clarify the situation, if you suspect a particular disease. In order to obtain a reliable result, you need to know exactly the rules of preparation before sending for TSH analysis.

How to take it to a woman, what time of day, how to deal with food intake - a special instruction has been drawn up for these and other issues.

Under its influence, the thyroid gland produces its own hormones - T3, T4 and calcitonin. TSH is produced by the pituitary gland, which together with the hypothalamus decides how much hormone to release to maintain thyroid hormone levels.

With a lack of thyroid hormones in the blood, TSH is secreted by the pituitary gland in larger quantities. If there are enough hormones, then less TSH is secreted, since the need for it decreases.

In addition to the management of the thyroid gland, TSH on your own affects other processes human body. The photos and videos in this article will show how TSH works in a woman's body.

Functional features of TSH

Thyroid Stimulating Hormone Increases Supply thyroid gland blood flow, as a result of this process, free iodine molecules from the blood are easily absorbed and absorbed, which provides the necessary content of triiodothyronine.

The TSH hormone performs many functions:

stimulates the production of thyroid hormones (thyroxine, triiodothyronine);
participates in the synthesis of proteins, carbohydrates, fats;
normalizes the function of the heart and blood vessels;
responsible for the work of the reproductive function;
normalizes psychosomatic reactions.

TTG carries out its tasks in two directions:

directly proportional. When the level of TSH in the blood rises, the level of thyroid hormones (T3 and T4) also exceeds the norm. Symptoms of elevated TSH in women can mean several pathological conditions, including such good news as pregnancy.
Inversely proportional. When the thyroid gland, for some reason, began to produce thyroid hormones in large volumes, the pituitary gland receives a signal from the hypothalamus to reduce the synthesis of these hormones, therefore, the production of TSH decreases, and this in turn leads to a reduced productivity of thyroxine and triiodothyronine.

Interesting fact. Medical scientists have not yet found a single optimal value for the TSH norm, since its level in a person’s blood is constantly changing and depends on factors such as age and time of day.

Indications for analysis

The doctor prescribes an examination for TSH sensitive thyroid-stimulating hormone, the norm in women of which varies widely, in the presence or suspicion of the following pathologies:

Latent hypothyroidism.
Toxic goiter.
Amenorrhea.
endemic goiter.
thyrotoxicosis.
Nodules in the thyroid gland.
diffuse goiter.
An increase in the content of prolactin in the blood.
Frequent fluctuations in body temperature.
Neoplasms of the thyroid gland.
Disorder of the work of some muscle groups.

Interesting: In addition, an analysis for TSH can be prescribed: when planning a pregnancy, during childbearing, in the postpartum and postoperative periods, for the purpose of dynamic observation, as well as for the correction of body weight.

Why is this analysis needed?

AT modern medicine It is customary not to start treatment until the situation is clarified by the results of the tests.

To prescribe treatment

First, the patient comes to the doctor with his complaints, the doctor makes initial inspection– palpation problem area if it exists. The doctor prescribes tests that he considers necessary to confirm or refute his initial, alleged diagnosis.

Important: the most accurate picture is given by the simultaneous study of TSH and thyroid hormones.

Further, with the available analyzes, one can add instrumental methods research - X-ray, if necessary. Only after discovering reliable signs presence of a disease, treatment will be prescribed.

Important: in any case, the clarification of the situation begins with laboratory tests, they are indispensable in all cases.

For prevention

There are situations when a woman has to take TSH without complaints of problems with the thyroid gland:

For some diseases of the vessels, heart and gynecological problems, an analysis for TSH is also required. After all, the spectrum of influence thyroid-stimulating hormone huge and not limited to the thyroid gland.
If a person has a disease associated with an imbalance in the production of TSH, the analysis will have to be repeated at some intervals.
If a person has close relatives with endocrine diseases, you need to undergo preventive examinations in order to catch the first signs of the onset of the disease and prevent its development.
If a woman is planning a pregnancy, you need to make sure that nothing will interfere with the development of the child.
In the case when a woman is already pregnant, then the analysis must be performed up to 12 weeks, since this is the most important stage in the growth of the baby, and during this period they must be present in the mother's blood in the required amount.

Rules for preparing for analysis

Important: blood sampling for this analysis is carried out only from a vein.

Donate blood in the morning. Between 8 am and 11 am. At this time, the concentration of thyroid-stimulating hormone is at its peak. If the patient is not able to donate blood in the morning, then when donating during the day, it is worth pausing in the meal - 6 hours.
Night fasting should be at least 8 hours, but not more than 12 hours of fasting. Eating later will cause hormonal changes.
One or two days before the analysis, you need to refrain from eating very fatty, very sweet and salty foods. At the same time, breakfast on the day of delivery should be light, it should not contain a large number fats and sugars. These substances require effort from the body for their digestion, which means they will affect the composition of the blood.
If the patient smokes, it is worth abstaining as long as possible, but not less than one hour before the delivery of the material. Nicotine has biological activity for many hormones.
If you need to take hormonal and other drugs, you should discuss this situation with your doctor., which gives direction to the analysis. Correcting the intake of certain medications will eliminate the likely changes in the results of the analysis.
Upon arrival at the laboratory, you need to wait from 15 to 30 minutes to calm down and pass the analysis in the most relaxed state.
When prescribing an x-ray examination or physiotherapy procedures on the day of the study, you should first donate blood, and then perform the rest of the manipulations. Some physiotherapy treatments and studies affect the uptake of iodine by the thyroid gland.
A few days before the procedure, physical and psychological stress is excluded.. It is worthwhile to transfer all important and exciting things for the time of preparation, to abandon holidays and feasts.
On the eve of the study, you should not expose your body to overheating or hypothermia.

Important: immediately before delivery, you can and should drink clean, non-carbonated water.

If a person needs to repeat the analysis at some time intervals, then it is worth doing it in the same medical organization. In this case, it is worth doing this at the same time of day.

When is research required?

For what problems is the analysis assigned:

if a deviation in the concentration of thyroid hormones is detected;
if you suspect;
when a married couple cannot conceive a child, an analysis is prescribed for both a man and a woman;
there is a problem in the sexual sphere - impotence, frigidity;
with long-term use of hormonal drugs, any spectrum of action;
violation menstrual cycle among women;
baldness;
detection of depression;
in children with a lag in mental or physical development.

Normal values

After the results are ready with them, you can go to the doctor for a consultation. If a woman is forced to take tests often, then it will be useful to be able to evaluate the results with her own hands.

Important: your own opinion does not replace the full consultation of a specialist.

Normal TSH values by age:

The table shows the change in TSH levels throughout a person's life. The change in the amount of thyroid-stimulating hormone production occurs due to changes in the body, its needs and capabilities.

So a larger amount of TSH at the beginning of life is necessary for the full amount of thyroid hormones in the blood. They are necessary for the normal speed of all metabolic processes. With age, activity slows down, all processes flow more calmly, which means that the level of hormones is adequately lower.

Norms of content and characteristics of thyroid hormones associated with TSH

Important: TSH has a decisive influence on the production of thyroxine and triiodothyronine by the thyroid gland, hormones responsible for stimulating the growth and development of the human body, activating its physical and thought processes. Each of these biologically active substances can exist in the form of two fractions - total and free.

And now more about each of them.

Triiodothyronine

Created in the thyrocytes of the thyroid gland, this hormone enters the bloodstream, where it mainly combines with certain types of proteins. A small amount of T3 remains unbound, free, and it then affects the processes occurring in the body.

The normal content of triiodothyronine, depending on age, is indicated in the table:

A lack of triiodothyronine may indicate:

Hypothyroidism.
Weight loss.
Excessive physical activity.
Decreased metabolism.
Adrenal insufficiency.

Excess T3 is observed in women suffering from toxic goiter, as well as due to various reasons, thyroid dysfunction.

thyroxine

Interesting: Thyroid cells receive iodine ions and a complex of amino acids from the blood, from which thyroglobulin molecules are created. If it is necessary to obtain thyroxin, thyroglobulin is cut into separate identical fragments, which are excreted into the bloodstream.

The norms for the content of total T4 are indicated in the table:

Standards for the content of free T4:

An increased content of thyroxine is caused by thyrotoxicosis, diffuse goiter and acute thyroiditis, and a reduced content is caused by hypothyroidism and a metabolic failure.

Pregnancy

Hypothyroidism is the leading cause of difficulty in achieving and maintaining pregnancy. Low thyroid function has a negative impact on reproductive health and is more common than most women think.

For women preparing for pregnancy, the study of thyroid function is an important step in achieving a successful outcome.

Functions of hormones:

Metabolic control by regulating the rate of oxygen consumption and subsequent production at the cellular level.
Balance of carbohydrates, proteins and fats.
During pregnancy, the growth and development of the fetus is controlled by maternal thyroid hormones, only for later dates the hormones of the fetus itself are included in the process.
Healthy thyroid function is essential for the activity of other hormones, like growth hormone, to control heart rate, blood pressure, the normal functioning of the brain.

The delicate balance of the endocrine glands

Under the control of the pituitary and hypothalamus are the ovaries and adrenal glands. This is a complex interconnected system, if a violation occurs in one part of it, this is reflected in other glands and hormone production.

Thyroid monitoring is essential for a healthy pregnancy. Her disease develops with a frequency ranging from 10-15%. Thyroid hormone is essential for the placental development of the fetus.

Pregnancy is considered as a "stress test" for the mother's thyroid gland, as she needs to increase the production of hormones by 20-50% to meet the growing needs of her body's metabolism and the growing fetus.

Attention: When increased values TSH during pregnancy, the patient's condition is corrected by taking drugs that help to successfully bear the fetus and give birth without complications.

If a woman is not able to produce enough hormones due to hypothyroidism, this causes an increased attention of the doctor to pregnancy, an increased risk of miscarriage, premature birth, low birth weight and postpartum developmental problems.

TSH norm in women for conception is in the range of 0.27−4 μIU / ml in serum. The average value of thyroid-stimulating hormone is normally considered to be no higher than 2.5 μIU / ml. TSH values greater than 4 μIU / ml are considered as an increased risk for pregnancy.

Norms of TSH in women table (during pregnancy):

A deviation in the values \u200b\u200bis allowed, this is possible with a high degree of probability when carrying a multiple pregnancy, less often with a singleton.

The reason for the increased TSH is:

primary hypothyroidism;
pituitary tumor;
insufficient level of T4;
adrenal insufficiency;
taking antithyroid drugs.

The reason for low TSH is:

hyperthyroidism (Graves' disease);
stimulation of the TSH receptor hCG;
thyroiditis;
secondary hypothyroidism.

TSH and pregnancy. What is the connection?

The lack of peripheral hormones against the background of high TSH leads to a malfunction in the function of the ovaries as a result, the follicles mature with a defect, and ovulation and the functioning of the corpus luteum are disturbed. High risk of endocrine infertility or miscarriage.

In the absence of conception for a long period, the level of hormones falls under the control of the doctor. Deviations from the norm are subjected to research and find out the cause of the changes for further treatment.

The effect of TSH levels on the female genital area

What is the thyroid-stimulating hormone responsible for in women and what are the consequences of violations of its synthesis in the pituitary gland? The properties of TSH are such that it affects the production of sex hormones that ensure the development of eggs. Gonadotropic hormones regulate the onset and course of menstruation, determine the duration of the cycle.

There are two types of changes in the amount of TSH in a woman's body:

Insufficient concentration of thyroid-stimulating hormone of the pituitary gland. In this case, the development of secondary hypothyroidism is characteristic. With a lack of T4 and T3, there is a lack of TESG globulin (testosterone-estrogen-binding) in the body, which depends on them.

At the same time, the concentration of testosterone rises, and this is the male sex hormone. As a result, less active estriol is activated instead of estradiol. The following happens:

the menstrual cycle lengthens;
the follicle in the ovary grows more slowly;
the endometrium in the uterus does not develop enough;
menstruation is very weak;
discharge either scanty or profuse;
the absence of menstruation (amenorrhea) is possible, as a result of the cessation of ovulation;
appear uterine bleeding without connection with the menstrual cycle;
development of functional infertility.

TSH affects the menstrual cycle indirectly through other hormones.

Excess concentration of TSH at oncological diseases pituitary gland. An increase in the production of thyrotropin leads to phenomena characteristic of hyperthyroidism:

the interval between periods becomes short;
menstruation is irregular;
gonadotropic hormones are synthesized in insufficient quantities;
cessation of menstruation (amenorrhea);
menstrual flow very scanty, painful;
during menstruation, there is a pathological general weakness;
infertility due to hormonal deficiency is diagnosed.

Both deficiency and excess of TSH in a woman's body leads to persistent menstrual irregularities and infertility.

The effect of TSH on the sexual development of girls

The thyroid-stimulating hormone tsh is the norm in women, due to age and physiological characteristics. A gradual increase in concentration is observed after the reproductive functions fade.

With the development of the genital organs in a girl, disturbances in the hypothalamic-pituitary system can lead to pathological abnormalities. Dangerous, both increased and decreased concentration of TSH in the body.

Thyroid-stimulating hormone norm for women after 50 is higher than for young women, which is explained by the extinction of sexual functions.

Low TSH. It leads to the fact that testosterone is activated, therefore, insufficient follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) is produced in the girl's body. The synthesis of such an important hormone as luteinizing (LH) also suffers. All this leads to the following consequences:

there is a lag in development from peers;
menstruation appears later than physiologically determined terms;
there is no sexual attraction to the opposite sex;
underdeveloped mammary glands;
poorly developed labia and clitoris;
the figure resembles that of a boy.

The video in this article demonstrates a characteristic appearance girls with TSH deficiency. The lag in the development of sexual characteristics is fraught with the fact that the girl may have problems in socialization.

High concentration of TSH. When the concentration of thyretropin in the blood of a girl is increased, this can accelerate her sexual development. In this case, premature physiological maturation occurs, with significant deviations from the norm. This is due to the fact that a high concentration of TSH stimulates the production of estrogen, luteinizing and follicle-stimulating. As a result, this happens:

the breast increases in size from the age of 8;
early appearance of pubic hair;
the first menstruation appears much earlier than that of peers.

Regular screening of girls for maintenance is important. blood TSH what to prescribe treatment and prevent pathological disorders in sexual development.

What to do if hormones are not normal

If indicators are detected that are outside the norm, all decisions are made by the endocrinologist. His instructions for action will make it possible, as soon as possible, to normalize TSH levels in the blood and avoid the development of a severe endocrine disease.

Nowadays, you can donate blood for TSH thyroid hormones without difficulty. It can be performed under the direction of a doctor in the budget medical institution. Or go to a commercial laboratory, now the cost of performing a study is not high and everyone who cares about their health can afford to do it.

In order to get a reliable result, you need to know how to properly take an analysis for TSH. A woman will have to take a second analysis, or undergo unnecessary additional examinations if improper preparation will adversely affect the result.

Elevated TSH

A short and slight increase in thyrotropin can also be observed as a result of the analysis healthy woman, the reason for this is the reception anticonvulsant medication or physical labor. But if the increase in the level of the hormone is very different from the norm, then this may indicate illness.

Main symptoms advanced level thyrotropin are anxiety, irritability, tremor, fatigue and insomnia. visual impairment is possible.

A short list of diagnoses, a symptom of which may be an increase in TSH:

malfunction of the thyroid gland or adrenal glands;
tumor;
increased dosage of iodine-containing medicines;
mental or somatic disorders;
pregnancy (in some cases);
lead poisoning;
unregulated secretion of TSH;
hemodialysis;
preeclampsia;
removal of the gallbladder.

Of course, only a doctor can understand the result of the tests and make a final diagnosis. It should be borne in mind that in women after 30 years, the level of thyrotropin may be slightly increased and this will be a variant of the norm, since certain medications and increased physical activity may have an effect on the indicator.

Decreased TSH level

It is especially important to contact an endocrinologist and pass an analysis to check the level of thyroid-stimulating hormone if the following symptoms appear in everyday life: headache, drowsiness, deterioration of memory and tolerance to changes in weather temperatures, lethargy, swelling, increased pressure and body temperature, excessive excess weight.

Reduced thyrotropin can be a sign of the following diseases:

decreased function of the pituitary gland;
trauma or neoplasm in the pituitary gland;
inflammation of the pituitary gland, due to which the production of hormones is reduced;
death of pituitary cells in the female body, as a complication after childbirth;
neoplasm in the body of the thyroid gland;
toxic goiter;
Plummer's disease;
mental illness;
excess hormones due to improper intake of hormonal drugs;
fasting or low-calorie diet;
severe stress.

Treatment

Treatment is aimed at normalizing the concentration of TSH in the blood, and this requires regular analysis to monitor indicators. Therapy is carried out until the results of the studies show the norm.

Note that in some cases medications may not give positive dynamics, therefore, the level of TSH remains the same. In this case, the doctor is obliged to replace the prescribed therapy.

Treatment is best done on initial stage when the first symptoms appear, this will bypass further surgical intervention.

Thyroid-stimulating hormone is produced by the lower cerebral appendage and is classified as regulatory. Indirectly affects metabolic processes. If TSH is elevated, it means that there are problems in the endocrine system, which, in turn, negatively affects the entire body.

created in one of brain departments hormone produced by both men and women. Plays a leading role in the formation of triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4) in the thyroid gland. These substances are responsible for many aspects of the functioning of body systems.

Due to the fact that TSH interacts very closely with T3 and T4, in order to determine the correct indicator of one, the other two must be taken into account.

The norm of the hormone TSH

A healthy level for a particular person varies depending on the age criterion. In addition, it is influenced by the presence of pregnancy. highest concentration fixed in children.

Table of norms of thyroid-stimulating hormone

Important! Menopause in women can threaten with TSH drops until the condition stabilizes. The absence of changes in the level of thyrotropin during this period is also not the norm.

Table of norms during pregnancy

Worth knowing! If the fetus is not one, the concentration can reach zero.

Hormone levels fluctuate throughout the day. The highest is observed at night - between 2:00 and 4:00 hours. Least of all TSH in the evening - from 17:00 to 18:00.

Causes of elevated thyroid-stimulating hormone

Abnormal values always appear in connection with something. In itself, a sharp increase is not an indicator of a pathological condition, because this phenomenon can be provoked by the drugs taken, physical activity, nervous overexcitation and many other factors that the human body is susceptible to.

Worth knowing! At high sugar or cholesterol can change and thyrotropin.

But a prolonged TSH level above normal signals the following:

ailments of the thyroid gland or the consequences of its removal;
acute iodine deficiency;
outcome of gallbladder resection;
severe form of preeclampsia (II - III trimester gestation);
aggravated or chronic pathology gastrointestinal tract, respiratory, urinary, cardiovascular systems;
lead poisoning;
a tumor in the lungs, mammary glands, thyroid gland, pituitary gland;
adrenal dysfunction.

The risk factor includes those suffering from autoimmune diseases, people with a hereditary predisposition, living in constant stress or following a strict diet.

Important! If a woman intends to start drinking birth control pills, you should first consult with a gynecologist who can send you for a blood test to determine TSH.

Features during pregnancy

Starting from the first trimester of gestation, hormonal analysis shows low level TSH, but, in the future, up to childbirth, it increases. This is not considered a deviation, because at the 18th week the thyroid gland begins to work in the child and the T3 and T4 substances produced by the mother are unnecessary for him.

The process refers to the natural physiological cause of changes in the concentration of thyrotropin.

Causes of high hormone levels on early dates pregnancies related to a pathological condition:

Hypothyroidism is a poor performance of the thyroid gland. She cannot cope with the need to produce more in order to provide her own body and the fetus with the required substance. The pituitary gland comes into play to spur the formation of T3 and T4. Dangerous state for fetal development.
Hyperthyroidism is a common disease that causes increased functionality of the thyroid gland.
Neoplasm in the pituitary gland.
Preeclampsia, severe toxicosis - accompanied by edema, the appearance of protein in the urine and high blood pressure. A frequent manifestation if the father of the child has a negative Rh factor in the blood, and the mother has a positive one. There is a rejection of the fetus.
Diseases of the respiratory, cardiovascular and nervous systems.
Depression, frequent stress, nervous excitability.
Smoking, alcoholism, drug addiction, substance abuse, etc.
Severe intoxication with mercury, lead, zinc.
Physical exercise.

If a deviation from the norm is detected, the doctor in charge of the pregnancy prescribes additional diagnostic procedures to identify the cause of this phenomenon. In this case, all new signs of malaise are necessarily taken into account.

Symptoms of elevated TSH

There is a separate classification of signs of a high level of thyrotropin in the human body.

Nervous system:

fatigue sets in quickly;
difficult to concentrate;
lethargy;
slow and unclear thinking;
bad memory;
drowsiness, lethargy, apathy;
trouble falling asleep, unstable sleep;
depression, depression.

The cardiovascular system:

hypotension (hypotension) - blood pressure 20% less than usual absolute numbers- below 90 systolic and below 60 arterial;
tachycardia;
puffiness.

Gastrointestinal tract:

constant feeling of hunger due to improper metabolism;
appetite may be reduced due to general lethargy;
nausea;
enlarged liver;
irregular chair.

Reproductive system:

inaccuracy of the menstrual cycle;
decreased libido;
a severely neglected case is fraught with infertility.

Appearance:

the neck seems thick;
bad condition skin and hair;
tone of voice decreases.

General well-being:

low temperature (up to 35 ° C);
weakness;
convulsions and pain syndrome in the lower limbs;
excess weight appears with a constant diet;
increased sweating;
low hemoglobin.

For older people, shortness of breath is still characteristic, rapid heartbeat and chest pain.

Children are characterized by hyperactivity, nervousness, irritability, anxiety.

Ways to normalize

Correction of the hormonal background can be carried out only with the recommendation of a doctor, after an accurate diagnosis has been made. The effectiveness of treatment is highly dependent on the source of the disease, so therapy is individual. First of all, the impact is on the root cause of the pathogenic state.

Interesting! Raising it is easier than lowering it.

An abrupt increase provoked by thyroid or breast cancer requires an integrated approach with long-term wellness manipulations. If the tumor is large, surgery is indispensable. It will take a long time to restore working capacity and treat the expected consequences.

A slight increase in thyrotropin due to iodine deficiency is eliminated by medication and proper nutrition. Six months of taking iodine-containing drugs, and then a second examination.

The decrease occurs gradually, and therapy continues until there is a normal level.

Interesting! Preventing this condition, people prone to thyroid problems buy iodized salt instead of regular salt. But few people know that potassium iodide decomposes during heat treatment and the dish will no longer have the desired effect. Much more effective application salt with potassium iodide (KIOS), which is sold in special stores or pharmacies.

Hypothyroidism causes hormonal therapy, the scheme of which is drawn up by a physician. Previously, people used drugs based on animal glands, but now they have been successfully replaced by chemically synthesized substances with greater activity than the natural counterpart.

At home, well-known folk methods that enhance efficiency traditional therapy: beetroot tincture, herbal decoctions.

After completing the course of treatment, it is necessary to undergo an annual re-examination for relapse. If ignored this condition, the disease will return imperceptibly and move into a more serious stage.

Complications and consequences

Timely diagnosis is a kind of prevention and will help to detect pathology, starting the fight against it before the onset critical consequences. As a rule, such patients recover without serious complications for the body. The exceptions are cases with tumors, cancer or removal of the gland.

As you know, the correct synthesis of hormones within our body ensures the full and trouble-free activity of all organs and systems. However, if the production of one of the substances of such a plan is disturbed, the work of the whole organism may be disrupted. That is why a blood test for hormone levels is a fairly common study, both in men and women.

Most often, such a diagnostic measure is prescribed for expectant mothers, so the full-fledged work of the endocrine system ensures the normal bearing of pregnancy and allows the baby to fully develop. However, sometimes tests show that the level of some hormones is elevated. Is this cause for panic? What does an increase in the amount of TSH in the blood indicate.

This substance bears the full name of thyroid-stimulating hormone. If its amount in the blood increases above the norm, this phenomenon should not be considered an ailment. Rather, it should be considered as laboratory symptom, showing that there are some problems in our body, namely problems in the complex ligament of the hypothalamus, pituitary gland and thyroid gland.

In this system, ailments can be both primary and secondary. Accordingly, we can talk about the defeat of the thyroid gland itself on the one hand, or about the disease of the hypothalamus and pituitary gland - on the second. Some experts consider malfunctions in the activity of the hypothalamus as tertiary diseases.

How to determine that the TSH hormone is elevated (symptoms)?

If an increase in the level of TSH is caused by the development of hypothyroidism (a thyroid problem), it makes itself felt with the following clinical picture:

set overweight, weight loss, chilliness. The patient constantly feels cold, which is a consequence of a slow metabolism. There may be yellowness of the skin, early form atherosclerosis and hypercholesterolemia;

Myxedematous edema - edema is localized near the eyes, prints appear on the surface of the teeth, it is difficult to nasal breathing and hearing loss is reduced.

Drowsiness, slow mental processes (thinking, speech, emotions), memory loss;

Shortness of breath, pain near the heart, hypotension and heart failure;

Tendency to constipation, nausea, flatulence, enlargement of the liver in size;

anemia;

Dryness and brittleness of hair and nails;

Menstrual irregularities.

Sometimes TSH rises during pregnancy, in which case the expectant mother is faced with sleep disorders, general fatigue and some thickening of the neck. She may be disturbed by severe pallor and swelling, severe nausea, lack of appetite. Also, elevated TSH makes itself felt by severe irritability, or vice versa by lethargy and apathy. Usually, with such a pathology, a woman intensively gains weight, complains of constipation and a strong decrease in body temperature.

If the TSH hormone is elevated, what is the treatment?

Not so long ago, the treatment of diseases accompanied by elevated TSH was simply impossible. However, not today's same hypothyroidism is quite amenable to drug therapy. Substitutive measures of influence are selected for the affected individual - the consumption of thyroid-type hormonal preparations is prescribed. These can be medicines such as L-thyroxine, T-rheocomb, thyrotom and other similar compounds.

Therapy begins with a small dosage, this helps to maintain the normal activity of the heart. Doctors advise to do the dose even less if the age of the patient is old enough. With the improvement of the condition and normal tolerance of medicines, the amount of medicines consumed can be increased, while every month the dose can be increased by a quarter of a tablet. After a couple of months of such therapy, the patient feels almost healthy. At the same time, drugs do not provoke excess weight gain, on the contrary, they optimize metabolic processes.

In especially severe cases, resection of the thyroid lobe may be necessary.

If hypothyroidism was determined when carrying crumbs, the patient is most often prescribed therapy using the same hormonal components. This is such a substance as synthetic L-thyroxine. The expectant mother should carefully monitor the indicators of her hormonal levels, as well as monitor general condition endocrine system. An important role is played by proper nutrition and healthy lifestyle life.

If the TSH hormone is elevated, what are the consequences?

With the formation of hypothyroidism in an average person, after undergoing treatment, he has every chance for a full life. In some cases, patients may need a constant intake of hormones, however, the ability to work remains completely intact.

However, during pregnancy, things are a little different. If elevated TSH levels are diagnosed on initial stage gestation, the likelihood of spontaneous abortion increases markedly. The situation can be normalized with the help of timely medical correction. An uncorrected form of hypothyroidism is fraught with various fetal pathologies, including intrauterine growth retardation. A classic complication of this disease is preeclampsia of the second half of pregnancy and premature detachment of the placenta.

But it is worth considering that timely diagnosis and correct correction can reduce the likelihood of developing these risks to almost zero. So important role plays Attentive attitude future mother to your health indicators.

Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) is produced by the pituitary gland, which is a gland small size located at the bottom central department brain. TSH stimulates the synthesis of thyroid hormones such as T3 (triiodothyronine) and T4 (thyroxine). These biologically active substances participate in the metabolism of fats, carbohydrates and proteins, as well as in the work of almost all human organs. In addition, they regulate many mental functions. In our review, we will try to deal with the indicators of the concentration of this hormone in the blood.

TSH and its functions

The thyroid-stimulating hormone of the pituitary gland regulates the formation of thyroxine and triiodothyronine according to the feedback principle. That is, when the level of the latter rises, they suppress the production of TSH and vice versa. Therefore, with various dysfunctions of the body, these three substances must be checked together.

When the pituitary gland malfunctions, TSH levels may decrease or increase. In the first case, the patient develops hyperthyroidism (hyperthyroidism syndrome), and in the second - hypothyroidism (deficiency of thyroid hormones). The causes of the violation may be pathologies of the hypothalamus or thyroid gland. The unit of measure for TSH is the international unit per milliliter.

The norm of thyroid-stimulating hormone in the blood of women, men and children

The rate depends on age group person, as well as other factors. The highest concentration of this substance is observed in children under 2.5 months - 0.6–10 μIU / ml. By the age of 5, its level decreases to 0.4-6 μIU / ml, and in adolescents aged 5-14 years, the indicators are 0.4-5 μIU / ml. The norm for adults is 0.4–4.0 μIU / ml.

Thyroid-stimulating hormone during pregnancy changes in accordance with the term. So, in the first trimester, due to active restructuring female body it decreases somewhat due to hyperstimulation of the thyroid gland. Additional thyroxine is necessary for the normal formation of organs and tissues of the fetus. Therefore, until the 12th week of pregnancy, the content of TSH in the mother's blood is 0.2–2.0 μIU / ml. Then the content of TSH approaches the standard values, and in the third trimester it may even increase slightly.

The secretion of this substance can change during the day. So, at 2-4 o'clock in the morning it is maximum. High performance also celebrated at 6-8 am. TSH drops to a minimum at 17-18 pm. normal rhythm its secretion is disturbed in persons who are awake at night. Some increase in its content can be observed in older people.

A blood test for thyroid-stimulating hormone is extremely important for determining the condition of the thyroid gland, monitoring the effectiveness of treatment and diagnosis. female infertility. Also, the study can be prescribed for:

an increase in the size of the thyroid gland;
symptoms of hyperthyroidism: anxiety, palpitations, insomnia, weakness, decreased visual acuity, photophobia, diarrhea, swelling around the eyes;
signs of hypothyroidism: constipation, dry skin and hair loss, edema, obesity, cold intolerance, menstrual irregularities.

A blood test can be ordered by an endocrinologist, gynecologist, neurologist, internist, pediatrician or surgeon.

Should know!
Because TSH levels fluctuate throughout the day, control tests It is desirable to donate blood at approximately the same time.

Thyroid-stimulating hormone is elevated: what does it mean?

This phenomenon can be observed if the function of the thyroid gland decreases. Often, such an increase is noted at the asymptomatic stages of the disease, when T3 and T4 do not yet exceed the norm. An increase in TSH is accompanied by weakness, a decrease in concentration, a slowdown in thought processes, irritability, sleep disturbances, pallor, edema, a decrease in body temperature, constipation, nausea, and the development of obesity, which is difficult to correct.

An increase in its concentration is observed with the following pathological conditions:

hypothyroidism various types;
primary adrenal insufficiency at the stage of decompensation;
thyrotropinoma;
immunity of the body to thyroid hormones;
pituitary or lung tumors;
Hashimoto's thyroiditis;
mental disorders;
syndrome of unregulated production of TSH;
preeclampsia;
condition after removal of the gallbladder;
hemodialysis;
exposure to lead and some medical preparations: anticonvulsants, neuroleptics, calcitonin, iodides, prednisolone, etc.

High thyroid stimulating hormone may also be observed after intense physical activity. In order to reduce the content of this substance in the blood, the doctor may prescribe synthetic thyroxine (T4) preparations to the patient. The desired effect is often achieved within a week after the start of therapy. Upon completion of treatment, the patient should be examined by an endocrinologist, ultrasound procedure thyroid gland and thyroid panel examination. Thereafter, inspections should be repeated once a year.

Note!
Treatment of any pathology associated with the endocrine system must be carried out under the strict supervision of a physician. Self-medication is fraught with serious hormonal disruptions.

Decreased levels of thyroid-stimulating hormone in the blood

Thyroid stimulating hormone is decreased toxic goiter, thyrotoxicosis, T3-toxicosis, hyperthyroidism of pregnancy, pituitary injury, inflammation or malignant tumor thyroid gland, psychological stress, starvation or overdose hormonal drugs. A decrease in the concentration of TSH is facilitated by the use of steroids, thyroxine, drugs for the treatment of hyperprolactinemia and a number of other medications.

With a decrease in the content of this substance in the blood, the patient develops headaches, blood pressure and body temperature may increase, heart rate increases, appetite increases, tremors in the body may appear, and an upset in the digestive system often occurs.

The level of thyroid-stimulating hormone is considered underestimated if its value is 0.1 mIU / l or less. AT similar cases need to check the work of cardio-vascular system and T3 and T4 levels. If nodular goiter became the cause of the imbalance, then the patient is prescribed radioiodine therapy, and in the most serious cases, surgery. Patients with Graves' disease are treated with B-blockers, which reduce the symptoms of the disease. In other cases, it is necessary to treat the underlying disease that caused the hormonal failure.

Thyroid stimulating hormone analysis reveals early stages diseases of the endocrine system, as well as pathologies of other organs. This substance is extremely important for energy metabolism in the body. To determine its concentration, the patient must pass venous blood on an empty stomach (abstinence from food should be 8-14 hours). Two days before the study, you should refuse to take steroid and thyroid drugs. During the day before visiting the clinic, emotional and physical stress should be avoided. Do not smoke three hours before testing.

Should be remembered
The current TSH level reflects the situation over the past 3-6 weeks. Accordingly, the control measurement of its content is recommended to be carried out no earlier than 8–10 weeks after the start of therapy or a change in the dosage of the drugs used.

Wednesday, 03/28/2018

Editorial opinion

Deviations from the normal concentration of the hormone TSH in the blood can occur for a variety of reasons, many of which are considered physiological. Therefore, it is so important to trust the opinion of specialists - endocrinologists, oncologists and other specialized doctors, and not engage in non-professional diagnostics and subsequent self-treatment.

High TSH is cause for concern

All organs of internal secretion in the body necessarily interact with each other. More than a hundred biologically active substances, in other words hormones, are produced by this system. Nevertheless, as in any team, a leader is needed for its well-coordinated work, and here it is. The thyroid, pancreas, gonads, adrenal glands, and other hormone-producing organs and tissues all listen to the pituitary and hypothalamus, special areas of the brain that produce their own hormones. We will talk about one of them - thyrotropin - in this article and discuss why a person may have a high TSH.

What is important to know:

The thyroid gland produces three hormones: thyroxine, triiodothyronine (T3) and calcitonin, which affect all types of metabolism in the body.

The pituitary gland produces a number of tropic hormones, one of them, which affects the activity of the thyroid gland, is thyroid-stimulating.

Most of the organs of the endocrine system, including the thyroid gland, operate on the principle of negative feedback. What does it mean? The essence of this principle is that with a decrease in the content in the bloodstream, for example, of thyroxine, a thyroid hormone, the pituitary gland produces thyrotropin or thyroid-stimulating hormone, simply TSH for short. Under the influence of this hormone, the thyroid gland increases its activity and secretes an additional portion of thyroxine into the bloodstream (another name is tetraiodothyronine or T4). When the amount of thyroid hormones in the body is sufficient, TSH production decreases so as not to encourage the thyroid gland to produce an excess amount of thyroxine.

If the system fails...

Problems begin when messages from the pituitary gland to the thyroid gland or vice versa do not reach.

What is important to know:

Normal numbers of thyroid-stimulating hormone in the blood are 0.4-4.0 mcU / l.

The half-life of thyrotropin is approximately 2 months, and thyroxine is about 2 weeks.

High TSH can be determined with the defeat of any link in the chain of the thyroid gland - pituitary gland - hypothalamus. Depending on which organ is affected, diseases of the endocrine system are divided into: primary and secondary. Some authors consider it necessary to single out tertiary ones, however, in my opinion, this only creates additional confusion in terminology.

So, thyroid diseases are classified as the primary level of damage. High TSH occurs with various pathologies thyroid gland, which are usually manifested by symptoms of hypothyroidism.

What is important to know:
The complex of symptoms that develop due to a low concentration of thyroid hormones in the patient's blood is called hypothyroidism.

Of course, based on the principle of regulating hormonal balance described above, in hypothyroidism, high TSH is just a reaction of the body to a decrease in the concentration of T3 and T4. At the same time, having passed the tests on the thyroid panel, the results will be characteristic picture: TSH - increased, T4 - lowered.

Diseases leading to hypothyroidism

Autoimmune thyroiditis.
Condition after removal of the thyroid gland or resection of its part.
Decreased intake of iodine from food.
Postpartum and subacute thyroiditis.
Treatment-induced hypothyroidism I131
Amiodarone, estrogen-containing hormonal contraceptives, lithium preparations, thyreostatics, morphine and some other drugs.

Clinically, hypothyroidism always manifests itself in the same way, regardless of the cause that led to it. The main symptoms of this condition are listed below:

A set of symptoms of hypothyroidism, indirect sign which becomes high TSH

Nervous system	Memory impairment, attention	Slow thinking and speech	Tendency to depression
The cardiovascular system	Low systemic BP	Effusion (fluid) in the pericardial cavity	Low heart rate
gastrointestinal tract	Frequent stool retention	Enlargement of the liver	Decreased appetite
reproductive function	Menstrual irregularities	Decreased sex drive	Infertility
Myxedematous changes	Puffiness of the face	Dry skin and hair loss	Decreasing the timbre of the voice
Other changes	Pain and cramps in the muscles	general weakness and chilliness	Low body temperature

Other reasons:

High TSH can also occur in other conditions of the body that are not associated with hypothyroidism, but affect thyroid gland or hormone activity:

Severe diseases of the internal organs.
Some mental illnesses.
Uncompensated insufficiency of adrenal hormones.
Insomnia and nervous tension.
Physical activity on the eve of the study.
Blood sampling for analysis was carried out at night.
Old age or neonatal period.

What is important to know:

In the above cases, in the blood test, you can often see that TSH is elevated, T4 is normal.

And if the thyroid gland is not to blame?

If none of the above diseases is the cause of the high level of TSH, then another scenario is possible. by the most weak link chains may be the pituitary gland, coupled with the hypothalamus.

Lesions of the pituitary and hypothalamus, leading to an increase in TSH, are incidentally rare. An example of such a disease is TSH-secreting pituitary adenoma. Sometimes a pituitary adenoma can secrete not only TSH, but also, in more, prolactin, or other pituitary tropic hormones.

The causes of pituitary adenoma are not fully understood, scientists express an opinion about the impact of traumatic brain injuries, some infectious diseases, in women additionally: a pathologically proceeding pregnancy, complicated childbirth and taking hormonal contraceptives.

What is important to know:
Thyrotropin-secreting pituitary adenoma is recorded less frequently than in one percent of all cases of pituitary neoplasms.

A genetic disease can also lead to an increase in thyrotropin, in which pituitary cells do not respond to thyroxine contained in the bloodstream.

In both of these cases, having received an extract from the laboratory with the results of a study on the amount of thyroid hormones and thyrotropin, the patient will see that TSH is elevated, T4 is elevated along with it. These are signs of another pathological process in the body - hyperthyroidism.

What is important to know:

Hyperthyroidism is another name for thyrotoxicosis.

Hyperthyroidism is an increased concentration in the bloodstream of the hormones-iodothyronines produced by the thyroid gland, and the resulting changes in the body.

The face of thyrotoxicosis

The main complaints of patients with hyperthyroidism are suggested in the table below:

The problem of fathers and children

The reason for the high concentration of TSH may be some hereditary diseases in which the perception of triiodothyronine and T4 by cells is impaired. This genetic mutation has two types: tissues of the whole body, with rare exceptions, or pituitary cells can be insensitive to thyroid hormones. In the first case, patients have a symptom complex of hypothyroidism, and in the second - thyrotoxicosis.

Summing up

So, high thyrotropin is only a symptom that has many explanations if it is evaluated in isolation from other signs of the disease. To find out the reasons why this indicator rises, it is necessary to consult an endocrinologist and additional examination. Treatment will depend entirely on what pathology led to an increase in the level of the pituitary hormone TSH.