What Happens When Thyroid Levels Are Too Low
The thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) test measures the amount of TSH in the blood. The results convey how well the thyroid is functioning.
Doctors can use TSH test results to diagnose thyroid disorders, such as hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism.
The pituitary gland produces TSH, which is a hormone that stimulates the thyroid gland.
The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland in the throat. It produces hormones that help regulate many bodily functions, such as metabolism, heart rate, and body temperature.
In this article, we describe the TSH test and results. We also discuss what high and low TSH levels indicate and available treatments.
The normal range depends on a person's age and whether they are pregnant.
The ranges tend to increase as a person gets older. Research has not shown a consistent difference in TSH levels between males and females.
However, according to the American Thyroid Association, doctors generally consider levels to be within a normal range if they are between 0.4 and 4.0 milliunits per liter (mU/l).
The table below provides estimates of TSH levels that are normal, low (indicating hyperthyroidism) and high (indicating hypothyroidism):
| hyperthyroidism | normal | mild hypothyroidism | hypothyroidism |
| 0–0.4 | 0.4–4 | 4–10 | 10 |
Most labs use these reference values.
However, there is some debate about these ranges — the author of a
Females are more likely to experience thyroid dysfunction than males. The
The risk of thyroid problems increases during pregnancy and around menopause.
Research has not shown a consistent difference in TSH levels between males and females.
A 2002 study reports higher TSH levels in females than in males, but a 2013 study reports that males have higher median TSH levels. It appears that any such difference is small, varies with age, and is unlikely to be clinically relevant.
In some people, thyroid conditions are linked with sexual dysfunction. This may affect more males than females. According to a 2019 study, 59–63% of males who have hypothyroidism also experience sexual dysfunction, compared with 22–46% of females with hypothyroidism.
Blood TSH levels tend to increase as a person gets older.
According to the authors of one study, the percentage of people with TSH levels between 0.4 and 2.49 mIU/l fell from 88.8% among people aged 20–29 years to 61.5% in people 80 or older.
Pregnancy hormones
At the same time, the levels of TSH in the blood decrease. As a result, doctors use lower reference ranges for pregnant women. The lower TSH range is decreased by around 0.1 to 0.2 mU/l and the upper limit is decreased by around 0.5 to 1.0 mU/l.
Levels of TSH in the blood increase gradually during the second and third trimesters, but they remain lower than normal levels in women who are not pregnant.
Doctors carefully monitor TSH levels throughout pregnancy. Having unusually high or low levels can affect the risk of miscarriage and cause
- preeclampsia
- premature birth
- low birth weight
- congestive heart failure
TSH levels are highest at birth and gradually decrease as a child gets older.
The following table shows TSH levels for children by age, according to a study from 2012 based on data from 512 healthy children:
| Age | Reference ranges |
| Day of birth | 3.84–11.75 mU/l |
| 1 month | 1.18–3.57 mU/l |
| 1 year | 1.17–3.55 mU/l |
| 5 years | 1.15–3.47 mU/l |
| 12 years | 1.09–3.31 mU/l |
| 18 years | 1.05–3.16 mU/l |
High TSH levels indicate hypothyroidism. People develop hypothyroidism when their thyroid produces low levels of hormones.
When the thyroid gland does not produce enough hormones, the pituitary gland produces more TSH to compensate.
- fatigue
- weight gain
- swelling of the face and neck
- increased sensitivity to cold temperatures
- dry skin
- thinning hair
- a slow heart rate
- irregular or heavy menstrual periods
- fertility problems
- depression
- constipation
Low TSH levels indicate hyperthyroidism. This is also known as an overactive thyroid.
If the thyroid gland is secreting levels of hormones that are too high, the pituitary gland produces less TSH.
- an irregular or rapid heartbeat
- muscle weakness
- nervousness or irritability
- difficulty sleeping
- frequent bowel movements or diarrhea
- weight loss
- changes in mood
The TSH test involves a healthcare professional drawing blood from a vein in the inner arm. They then send the blood sample to a laboratory for testing.
Usually, people do not need to prepare for a TSH test. However, if the doctor is testing the blood for more than one issue, a person may need to fast or prepare in another way. The doctor will provide this information beforehand.
If a person has abnormally high or low TSH levels, the doctor needs to run at least one other diagnostic test to identify the underlying cause. These tests look at levels of specific thyroid hormones and antibodies.
Doctors can treat hypothyroidism with medications, such as levothyroxine, that replace the missing thyroid hormones.
A person should take this medication once a day, or as prescribed by their doctor. The doctor will monitor how well the treatment is working by running additional blood tests every few months.
According to the
They recommend that a person tells their doctor if they eat soybean flour, walnuts, dietary fiber, or cottonseed meal, as these can affect how the body processes levothyroxine.
Treatments for hyperthyroidism focus on reducing thyroid hormone levels to prevent long term health complications.
A person may need to take beta-blockers and antithyroid medications.
Another effective treatment is radioiodine therapy. This involves taking a capsule or liquid that contains radioactive iodine-131, which destroys cells that produce thyroid hormones. However, people who take radioiodine therapy may develop hypothyroidism in the future.
Surgical removal of the thyroid gland can treat severe hyperthyroidism. Doctors often reserve this for people who cannot take first-line medications, such as during pregnancy.
People who experience extreme swelling of the neck may also benefit from thyroid surgery.
A TSH test measures the amount of the hormone in the blood. Doctors can use the results to diagnose thyroid conditions, such as hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism.
Normal TSH ranges can vary widely, depending on a person's age, sex, and body weight. Reference ranges remain controversial, but for most people, the normal range falls between 0.4 and 4.0 mU/l.
Having an overactive or underactive thyroid can cause health issues that interfere with daily life. During pregnancy, unusually high or low TSH levels can lead to complications.
A doctor can provide more information about the TSH test and interpreting the results.
What Happens When Thyroid Levels Are Too Low
Source: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/326774