What does a thyroid stimulating hormone level greater than 5 indicate

Thyroid stimulating hormone TSH greater than 5 μ IU/ml usually indicates the possibility of hypothyroidism. Elevated TSH is mainly related to factors such as primary hypothyroidism, subclinical hypothyroidism, iodine deficiency, pituitary TSH adenoma, and thyroid hormone resistance syndrome.

1. Primary hypothyroidism:

The thyroid gland itself is diseased, leading to insufficient hormone secretion and feedback causing TSH elevation. Common causes include Hashimoto's thyroiditis, history of thyroid surgery or radiation therapy. The patient may experience symptoms such as fatigue, fear of cold, and weight gain, which require further diagnosis through thyroid ultrasound and antibody testing.

2. Subclinical hypothyroidism:

Mild increase in TSH but normal free thyroid hormone FT4, indicating early thyroid dysfunction. About 5% of the population has this situation, with middle-aged and elderly women being more common. It is recommended to have a follow-up examination every 3-6 months. If TSH continues to be above 10 μ IU/ml or obvious symptoms appear, intervention is necessary.

3. Abnormal iodine metabolism:

Long term insufficient iodine intake can affect thyroid hormone synthesis, especially during pregnancy or adolescence. Local goiter still exists in some mountainous areas of our country, and urinary iodine testing can assist in the diagnosis. Moderate increase in iodine rich foods such as seaweed and seaweed can help improve the condition.

4. Pituitary lesions:

Pituitary TSH tumors can secrete thyroid stimulating hormone abnormally, resulting in consistently high detection values. This type of condition is often accompanied by space occupying symptoms such as headache and visual impairment, and needs to be differentiated through pituitary MRI and hormone comprehensive examination, accounting for about 0.5% -1% of cases with elevated TSH.

5. Medications or physiological factors:

Lithium supplements, amiodarone, and other medications may interfere with thyroid function. Staying up late before testing and being in a state of stress can also cause a temporary increase in TSH. It is recommended to have a follow-up examination 2-4 weeks after excluding interfering factors to avoid misjudgment in a single test.

If TSH is found to be elevated, five thyroid function tests should be completed, with a focus on observing changes in FT3 and FT4 levels. Daily intake of high-quality protein and selenium should be ensured, and excessive intake of cruciferous vegetables should be avoided. Patients with moderate to severe hypothyroidism should use levothyroxine sodium replacement therapy under the guidance of a doctor, and regularly monitor TSH control target values. Pregnant women should control TSH levels below 2.5 μ IU/ml to avoid affecting fetal neural development. In winter, the dosage can be appropriately increased by 10% -20% to cope with seasonal changes.