Hypothyroidism is a condition in which your thyroid gland doesn’t produce enough of certain hormones. In particular, the thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) test is usually used to measure certain hormones and diagnose the condition. This article explains the connection between TSH and hypothyroidism and how it affects your health.
Contents
What Is TSH?
TSH stands for thyroid stimulating hormone, and it is a hormone produced by the pituitary gland. This hormone activates and stimulates the thyroid gland to produce thyroid hormones, which are necessary for functions such as metabolism, growth, and development.
How Is TSH and Hypothyroidism Related?
When the thyroid gland doesn’t produce enough of these hormones, as in the case of hypothyroidism, the pituitary gland will produce more TSH in an attempt to increase the production of the hormones. As a result, if a person has too high levels of TSH, it is usually a sign that they have hypothyroidism.
What Are the Effects of Hypothyroidism?
The lack of thyroid hormones produced by the thyroid gland can have a wide range of effects on your health. Some of the most common symptoms of hypothyroidism include:
- Fatigue
- Weight gain
- Dry skin
- Joint pain
- Depression
- Congestive Heart Disease
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms and have a high TSH level, your doctor may suspect that you have hypothyroidism and will order further tests to confirm the diagnosis.
Conclusion
The connection between TSH and hypothyroidism is an important one. If you have a high TSH, it usually indicates that you have hypothyroidism, and it can lead to a wide range of health problems. If you are experiencing any of the symptoms of hypothyroidism, it is important to see your doctor and have your TSH tested to confirm the diagnosis.
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