What does an increase in thyroid stimulating hormone indicate

Elevated thyroid stimulating hormone usually indicates hypothyroidism or pituitary lesions, mainly related to primary hypothyroidism, subclinical hypothyroidism, pituitary TSH tumors, thyroid hormone resistance syndrome, excessive iodine intake, and other factors.

1. Primary hypothyroidism:

The thyroid gland itself is diseased, leading to insufficient secretion of thyroid hormones and feedback causing an increase in thyroid stimulating hormone. Common causes include Hashimoto's thyroiditis, thyroid injury after thyroid surgery or radiation therapy. Patients may experience symptoms such as fatigue, fear of cold, weight gain, and dry skin, which need to be diagnosed through thyroid function tests and antibody testing.

2. Subclinical hypothyroidism:

Mild elevation of thyroid stimulating hormone but normal thyroid hormone levels belong to early thyroid dysfunction. Commonly seen in middle-aged and elderly women, it may be related to autoimmune thyroiditis. Some patients may develop overt hypothyroidism and require regular monitoring of thyroid function changes.

3. Pituitary TSH Tumor:

Pituitary tumors autonomously secrete excessive thyroid stimulating hormone, leading to abnormal elevation of TSH in the blood. Patients may experience hyperthyroidism symptoms such as thyroid enlargement and palpitations, but their thyroid hormone levels are normal or slightly elevated. Diagnosis needs to be confirmed through pituitary MRI and hormone dynamic testing.

4. Thyroid hormone resistance:

The body's sensitivity to thyroid hormones decreases, leading to feedback and an increase in thyroid stimulating hormone. This is a rare genetic disease, in which the patient's thyroid hormone levels may be normal or elevated, but clinical manifestations include hypothyroidism symptoms. Diagnosis needs to be confirmed through genetic testing and special hormone tests.

5. Abnormal iodine intake:

Long term excessive intake of iodine may inhibit thyroid hormone synthesis, leading to compensatory elevation of thyroid stimulating hormone. Commonly found in people who consume a large amount of seafood or use iodine containing drugs. After adjusting the diet, TSH levels can often return to normal.

If elevated thyroid stimulating hormone is found, further examinations such as thyroid ultrasound and antibody testing should be conducted to determine the cause. Daily attention should be paid to a balanced diet, controlling iodine intake, and avoiding excessive fatigue. Hypothyroidism patients need to follow the doctor's advice to supplement thyroid hormones and regularly check and adjust the dosage. Subclinical hypothyroidism patients are recommended to have their thyroid function rechecked every 3-6 months to observe the trend of changes in indicators. When there are obvious symptoms of hypothyroidism or TSH continues to rise, timely medical intervention is necessary.