In order to understand how the hormonal system of the body is arranged, it is necessary to understand some of the nuances of human physiology. In comparison with internal organs, for example, the gastrointestinal tract, digestion, heart or brain, you can’t touch and say exactly under which rib it is located. The hormonal system is a subtle delicate structure. However, a minimal malfunction in her work can lead to a number of health problems.
What is TSH hormone?
The production of hormones and the control of their full functioning in the human body is the main task of the thyroid gland. This system of internal secretion determines the implementation of many natural processes. Any violation of the thyroid gland associated with the nature of the performance of hormones or their amount produced can be recorded during the appropriate diagnosis.
The hormone TSH produced by the thyroid gland is produced by the pituitary gland, or rather, its anterior lobe. The purpose of this substance, in fact, is to control and coordinate the functions of the thyroid gland. Just like any other thyroid hormone, TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone) has an effect on the hormonal balance of the body as a whole by acting on T3 and T4. These substances are also produced by the thyroid gland.
The value of passing a blood test for thyroid stimulating thyroid hormone
In the case when the thyroid hormone TSH is elevated, this indicates that the level of T3 and T4 in the body is too low. Such indicators can talk about the development of a pathology called hypothyroidism. The process of its occurrence is determined by these thyroid hormones. TSH is lowered if the functioning of the main producing organ is directly proportionally reduced. Violations of the thyroid gland are fraught with serious complications in the life of the whole organism.
Increased production of hormones leads to damage to the cells of the thyroid gland, which threatens to impair the functioning of all organs and systems of the body. Peptide bioregulators can help repair damaged cells. In Russia, the first brand of peptide bioregulators are cytamines - a line of 16 drugs aimed at different organs. To improve thyroid function, a peptide bioregulator has been developed - . The components for tyramine are obtained from the thyroid glands of cattle, they are a complex of proteins and nucleoproteins that have a selective effect on thyroid cells, which helps to restore its function. Tyramine is recommended for use in violation of the thyroid gland, hypo- and hyperfunction, tumor processes in the glandular tissue. As a prophylactic, tyramine is advisable to use for people living in areas endemic for thyroid diseases. Tiramine is also recommended for older and older people to maintain thyroid function.
A blood test for thyroid hormones TSH is extremely important in the process of diagnostic examination of the body. When drawing conclusions and making a diagnosis, this indicator is taken into account as a determining one, since it is he who is able to quickly respond to the slightest pathological change. While T3 and T4 have not yet responded to the presence of certain markers in the blood, the thyroid hormone TSH has already been demonstrated by its fulminant response to detected malfunctions in the hormonal system.
In what cases may this diagnosis be required?
For a doctor to refer a patient for this type of diagnostic test, there must be good reason. Indications for the procedure are the following cases:
- exclusion or confirmation of hyper- or hypothyroidism;
- clarification of the diagnosis regarding the pathology of the thyroid gland or related organs and systems;
- control over the recovery process in order to timely identify the need for corrective treatment;
- obtaining the results of an additional stimulating test;
- timely management of T4 suppression present in the so-called cold node and goiter.
Periodic examination for TSH - the key to timely treatment
In addition, a lot of other problems with the most important systems for the human body can be revealed precisely by this analysis of thyroid hormones. TSH in patients who have undergone surgery or have chronic diseases should be constantly monitored by a specialist. The answers of this analysis clearly reflect the state of the thyroid gland.
If at the initial stage any serious changes are detected or current unfavorable processes in the organ are revealed and at the early start of treatment, the patient’s chances of full recovery increase several times. In order to avoid complications and take appropriate measures to prevent deterioration of the patient’s well-being, it is necessary to regularly conduct a TTG test.
Analysis Preparation
It is highly undesirable to ignore the need for this simple test for thyroid hormone TSH. After all, the procedure, which is simple in execution technique, is able to give a detailed informative answer. In the fight for the health of the patient with thyroid problems, this analysis for thyroid hormones TSH plays a huge role. The norm of its indicators allows you to verify the satisfactory condition of the patient.
Before taking a blood test to detect the hormone TSH, it is advisable to strictly follow some rules.
Adhering to the advice that doctors give regarding the passage of the test to determine the level of hormonal balance, the patient will be able to exclude the possibility of receiving false information in the analysis results.
The basic rules that must be observed before passing the test
So, what needs to be done to correctly pass the thyroid hormone TSH test?
- It is necessary to undergo research on an empty stomach. You can only use clean running water. 8-10 hours before the diagnosis, it is advisable to eat nothing.
- Analysis should be preceded by a diet. Refusal from fatty, smoked, fried, spicy and acidic products will avoid the possible distortion of the research results.
- A few days before the clinical diagnosis, it is important to completely exclude alcoholic beverages, regardless of strength.
- Do not play sports and do not overdo it with power loads. It is important to rule out any exercise at least a week before the examination.
- Also, a couple of weeks before the laboratory diagnosis of blood, it is necessary to exclude as much as possible the intake of any medications. If the current course of therapy cannot be interrupted in any case, or without the use of drugs, a serious malfunction occurs in the work of the whole organism, before undergoing the procedure, it is necessary to provide the doctor with the entire list of medications taken. Since they are potentially capable of influencing blood test data, specialists always try to take it into account.
Why do you need to specifically prepare for the study?
In addition, the recent examination can be distorted by recent radiography, ultrasound. High levels of TSH (thyroid hormone) can trigger stressful situations. Nervousness, excitement, frustration - all this contributes to the intense release of chemicals in the body.
With a responsible and high-quality approach to the procedure, the result of a blood test for the level of thyroid stimulating hormone will maximally correspond to the real picture of the patient’s health. Thanks to accurate information, it is possible to timely carry out preventive measures to prevent thyroid diseases or begin treatment of an existing progressive pathology. In some patients, such restrictions can cause a lot of indignation, however, in order to obtain reliable data on the state of the body, desires and ambitions should be neglected. This is the only way to avoid passing the reanalysis.
How to decipher the analysis on TSH - the norm or not?
Typically, a test for TSH is considered mandatory for patients with disorders in the body associated with the functioning of the thyroid gland. Surgical treatment of this organ in the past is also a direct indication for regular testing. In order to correctly decipher the analysis and determine whether the level of detectable hormones is normal, or if there are deviations in the blood, the endocrinologist relies on several fundamental points.
Firstly, male and female thyroid-stimulating hormone indices should normally differ from each other. In representatives of the weaker sex, it can significantly exceed the values that in the analysis of blood in men reflect thyroid hormones (TSH). The norm in women is about 4.2, while in men the indicator rarely exceeds 3.5. However, this is not the limit. During pregnancy, thyroid hormones can also increase. TSH (the norm in women allows you to determine the degree of increase in the concentration of substances in the blood) in expectant mothers sometimes reaches 4.7.
What determines the level of thyroid-stimulating hormone in the blood?
In addition, thyroid-stimulating hormone in the body can change its concentration depending on many features caused by biorhythm, age, the presence of other chronic diseases, etc. When compiling an anamnesis, it is extremely important to provide the specialist with detailed information on this issue.
A highly qualified doctor can make objective conclusions from the test results and predict the further development of events. He can clearly answer questions about certain indicators in the analysis, whether they are the norm, or serve as direct evidence of serious disorders in the body.
Often, patients themselves try to decipher the testimony of a thyroid hormone TSH hormone. False conclusions and feelings of benefit have not yet brought anyone, therefore, it is better for the doctor to interpret the testimony of the analysis.
Causes of Increased TSH
In case of deviations from the results, it is urgent to take effective measures. You should find out if there is a threat to health if thyroid hormone (TSH) is elevated. What to do in this case depends on the reason that provoked an increase in its concentration in the blood. The main factors that contribute to this:
- individual forms of thyroiditis;
- post-surgical syndrome in the case of complete removal of the thyroid gland or its individual lobe;
- benign or malignant formations of the pituitary gland;
- thyroid oncology;
- cancerous processes of the breast, lungs, or other organs;
- malfunctioning of the adrenal glands;
- complicated degree of toxicosis in a long gestation period;
- the absence of the gallbladder due to removal;
- mental and somatic diseases.
How does an increase in thyroid-stimulating hormone manifest itself?
Numerous manifestations of such disorders are difficult to single out as a separate group of characteristic symptoms.
Signs of an increase in the hormone TSH in the body are:
- lethargy, lethargy, general weakness;
- disturbances in the sleep-wake cycle;
- inhibition of reaction, slow thinking;
- inattention;
- psychoemotional disorders not previously manifested (tantrums, moodiness, irritability);
- rapid weight gain with an almost completely absent appetite;
- nausea, vomiting;
- constipation
- swelling of the body;
- low body temperature.
Decreased blood counts for TSH: causes
With reduced levels of thyroid-stimulating hormone, urgent actions should also be taken, since this condition also indicates the presence of problems in the patient's body:
- benign thyroid formations;
- Plummer's disease;
- sheehan syndrome;
- decreased performance of the pituitary gland;
- extreme emotional stress;
- incorrect and uncontrolled medication;
- starvation or significant dietary restrictions (due to the lack of enough calories with strict diets, including single-component ones).
Symptoms with a low thyroid stimulating hormone
With a reduced level of TSH in the patient, as a rule, there is an increase in blood pressure, low-grade fever. Heart palpitations, trembling limbs, or the whole body are also signs of a low level of thyroid-stimulating hormone in the blood.
Severe headaches in this case are not uncommon, and they often lead to mental disorders, malfunctions of the digestive system. In this case, an unnatural appetite may be observed in a person.
Treatment of disorders provoked by a deficiency or excess of TSH
Given the presence or absence of characteristic symptoms, the attending physician will prescribe the correct specific treatment. It is impossible to categorically take any drugs on your own. The consequences of unjustified drug therapy can be the most deplorable.
In the case of an increase in thyroid-stimulating hormone, its synthetic analogue or T4 is mainly used. Doses and duration of the treatment course are determined by a specialist, since each patient has an individual susceptibility to the actions of this type of drug. Dangerous disorders and malfunctions in the functioning of other organs and systems are the result of arbitrary treatment. An effective method of controlling the hormonal system in the human body is the systematic examination. Only in this way can appropriate measures be taken in time to prevent or treat the disease.