What should I do if my thyroid stimulating hormone TSH is low

Low levels of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) can be improved by adjusting iodine intake, reducing stress, medication treatment, regular follow-up, surgical intervention, and other methods. Low TSH is usually caused by factors such as hyperthyroidism, pituitary lesions, medication effects, abnormal iodine intake, pregnancy, etc.

1. Adjust iodine intake:

Iodine is a key raw material for thyroid hormone synthesis. Insufficient iodine intake may lead to compensatory thyroid hyperplasia, while excessive iodine may inhibit TSH secretion. It is recommended to supplement with foods such as seaweed, seaweed, and iodized salt in moderation to avoid long-term excessive intake of iodine containing drugs or health products. Residents in coastal areas should pay attention to controlling their intake of high iodine foods.

2. Reduce stress:

Long term mental stress can stimulate sympathetic nervous system excitation and affect the function of the hypothalamic pituitary thyroid axis. Stress may cause a temporary decrease in TSH, manifested as symptoms similar to hyperthyroidism such as palpitations and hand tremors. Relieving stress through meditation, regular sleep, moderate exercise, and other methods can help restore balance to the endocrine system.

3. Medication therapy:

hypothyroidism induced TSH reduction requires the use of antithyroid drugs such as methimazole and propylthiouracil. These drugs can inhibit thyroid hormone synthesis, but strict monitoring of liver function and white blood cell count is required. Low TSH caused by pituitary lesions may require glucocorticoid or thyroid hormone replacement therapy, and the medication plan should be formulated by an endocrinologist.

4. Regular follow-up:

TSH testing should be combined with indicators such as free T3 and T4 for comprehensive judgment. It is recommended to recheck thyroid function every 1-3 months and observe the trend of changes in indicators. Pregnant women may experience temporary TSH reduction due to HCG stimulation, which needs to be evaluated through gestational week specific reference values. During the re examination, the same testing institution and fasting state should be maintained to ensure comparability of results.

5. Surgical intervention:

Autonomic hormone secretion caused by thyroid nodules or tumors may require surgical resection. Surgical methods include partial thyroidectomy, subtotal thyroidectomy, etc. Temporary hypothyroidism may occur after surgery, requiring supplementation with levothyroxine. Patients with Graves' disease who have failed or relapsed after drug treatment may consider radioactive iodine therapy, but it is contraindicated during pregnancy. Patients with low TSH levels should maintain a balanced diet and increase selenium rich foods such as Brazil nuts and oysters in moderation, which can help with thyroid hormone metabolism. Avoid consuming large amounts of thyroid enlargement causing substances such as cabbage and cassava. Regular aerobic exercise such as brisk walking and swimming can improve the metabolic status of the body, but vigorous exercise should be avoided when hyperthyroidism is not controlled. Ensuring sufficient sleep helps regulate endocrine function, and establishing a symptom diary to record heart rate and weight changes is convenient for reference when seeking medical attention. Promptly seek medical attention for obvious hyperthyroidism symptoms such as persistent palpitations and sudden weight loss.