TSH (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone) test is one of the compulsory testing procedures followed for testing the thyroid gland health. The quantity of TSH present in the blood decides the amount. Based on this amount, it decides whether the thyroid gland is functioning hyperactively or subactively. It is actually a hormone produced by the pituitary gland, one of whose functions is to regulate thyroid hormones T3 and T4.

The test normally is followed up with other thyroid tests like T4 in an attempt to have appropriate diagnosis. It is also often prescribed to patients with symptoms of weight gain or loss, tiredness, hormonal imbalance, and pregnancy or follow-up once the patient has undergone treatment for the thyroid.

What is a TSH test?

Thyroid-stimulating hormone test checks for the level of hormone that the pituitary gland makes, which instructs the thyroid to release T3 and T4 hormones. TSH is the messenger key to instruct the thyroid to release T3 and T4 hormones. TSH is messenger-type: the higher thyroid hormone, the lower TSH to instruct it to make more; the higher, and TSH decreases.

TSH hormone test is done in order to know about your thyroid gland function and an underactive thyroid disease, hypothyroidism, and an overactive thyroid disease, hyperthyroidism diagnosis. It is extremely widely used together with the T4 test for more reliable diagnosis.

Why is the TSH Test Done?

Physicians use the TSH blood test in the diagnosis and treatment of thyroid diseases. It is helpful in the diagnosis of early thyroid imbalance symptoms.
There are presentations that can be identical, for example:

  • Hypothyroidism: Abnormal TSH levels in hypothyroidism, which is presented in the form of High TSH level and low T4 level. The characteristics may be normal, and typical characteristics are tiredness and weight gain, and intolerance of cold.
  • Hyperthyroidism: Low TSH levels in hyperthyroidism may reflect an overactive thyroid. Anxiousness and tachycardia with unintentional weight loss may be one such characteristic.
The test is also proving useful in neonatal screening for thyroid illness, follow-up for thyroid hormone therapy, and pregnant evaluation of TSH.

Preparation for a TSH Test?

TSH test preparation is easy. You don't need to fast for most of the tests, and you can do your regular activities except when instructed by your physician otherwise. There are also certain factors that might affect the test. Do not take biotin supplements 48–24 hours prior to the test as it will affect the result of the TSH test. Ensure you inform your doctor if you are undergoing steroid, dopamine, or lithium treatment as this affects the result of the TSH test.

Wear a short-sleeve shirt and prepare your arm so tension is easy to show on your arm; you can relax and attempt this because tension will alter hormone levels by a small difference.

TSH Test Protocol

Taking the TSH test itself really is just a blood draw and only takes 5 to 10 minutes. This is what they will do:

  • A health care worker will swab your clean arm and insert a sterile needle into a vein.
  • The blood is taken up into a tube in a small sample.
  • When the blood has been removed, the needle is withdrawn and a Band-Aid covers the puncture wound.
You may feel a prick or burning when inserting the needle but otherwise the test is painless. Blood is taken for the blood test and results are available within 24–48 hours.


What to Expect After the TSH Test

You can resume your daily routine as soon as your blood has been taken. There may be bruising, mild pain at the injection site in some patients, but this would be temporary. There is no special post-test care. In case of an abnormal TSH test result, one or more of the above tests would be ordered by your physician to get a better idea about the condition: free T4 and or T3. You would generally be instructed on how to modify your lifestyle or medication depending on your low or elevated TSH reading.

Interpreting TSH Test Results

TSH test normal range should be familiar to you. Normal in the majority of laboratories would be 0.4 to 4.0 mIU/L, but it can be slightly different.

  • Raised level of TSH (>4.0 mIU/L) typically signifies hypothyroidism, particularly if T4 is low. It just signifies that the thyroid fails to secrete enough hormones.
  • Decreased level of TSH (<0.4 mIU/L) suggests hyperthyroidism, where the thyroid gland over-functions and hyper secretes hormone.
There are multiple causes that affect the level of TSH, including disease, illness, pregnancy, disease of the pituitary gland, and medication. Your physician can therefore write follow-up tests for diagnosis after TSH test results interpretation. Low TSH level symptoms are usually checked regularly in an effort to modify treatment.

Diseases Diagnosed with TSH Test

The use of the test for TSH diagnosis is applied under numerous medical conditions of the thyroid and endocrine:

  • Hypothyroidism: High TSH with low T4 and T3 levels.
  • Hyperthyroidism: Low TSH level with high T4 and/or T3 levels.
  • Subclinical thyroid disease: Inverse abnormal TSH with thyroid hormone levels in the normal range.
  • Pituitary gland disease: If TSH is not in agreement with the level of thyroid hormone.
  • Thyroid disease in pregnancy: TSH test for pregnancy is one of the most important conditions for both mother and baby.
This test is also employed in long-term follow-up of thyroid patients who are on thyroid medication so that the hormone levels won't reach extremes or to very low extremes.

TSH Test Vs T4 Test

In thyroid function measurement, physicians mostly order the TSH and T4 test for further assessment.

  • The TSH test is performed to determine the extent of pituitary release of the thyroid-stimulating hormone.
  • The T4 test is used to measure the blood level of the existing thyroid hormone (thyroxine).
For instance, elevated TSH and low T4 test establishes hypothyroidism but low TSH and elevated T4 test results establish hyperthyroidism. Both the tests are actually used to elucidate the fact about whether the disease manifests at the thyroid level or at the brain-thyroid interaction level.

Cost of TSH Test in Pakistan

TSH test cost in Pakistan can vary between PKR 700 and PKR 1,500 depending upon the city and the diagnostic center. The established and certified labs would be a bit higher but are likely to give better accuracy, quicker test reports, and professional standards as well. Even the diagnostic centers provide value-added test packages for Thyroid test such as TSH, T3, and T4 at a lower price.

Combination tests offer a more tangible assessment of thyroid condition. It would be better to consult your physician first prior to testing and select a trustworthy lab as an attempt to acquire a proper diagnosis and right follow-up therapy.

Book lab tests from the best-certified labs in Lahore, Karachi, Islamabad, and all major cities of Pakistan through InstaCare, and get a discount of up to 35%. For assistance, call our helpline at 03171777509 to find the right lab test for your health needs.