The TSH, by its acronym, or the hormone thyroid-stimulating, is responsible for stimulating the thyroid gland to produce thyroid hormones (T3 and T4) optimally. The amount of TSH in the blood serves as an essential parameter to detect thyroid gland disorders, especially if these levels are high.
A negative feedback mechanism regulates thyroid hormone secretion. Therefore, the pituitary gland will compensate for the low level of thyroid hormone in the body, which will produce more TSH to stimulate the thyroid gland. If your thyroid does not have enough hormones, you are most likely hypothyroid even after this stimulation. In the following FastlyHealarticle, we inform you about high TSH: causes and consequences.
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High thyrotropin: causes
The pituitary or pituitary gland regulates thyroid function through the secretion of TSH. When TSH is higher than average, you try to make your thyroid work harder. If the thyroid hormones do not rise despite the increase in TSH, the patient indeed suffers from hypothyroidism. This condition will keep TSH levels high.
There are two fairly common causes of hypothyroidism :
- The first is the result of previous or ongoing inflammation of the thyroid gland, which leaves many thyroid cells damaged (or dead) and unable to produce enough hormones. The most common cause of thyroid gland failure is autoimmune thyroiditis (or Hashimoto’s thyroiditis), a form of thyroid inflammation caused by the patient’s immune system.
- The second cause is due to medical treatments. Many thyroid conditions are treated with the surgical removal of part or all thyroid glands. The goal of these treatments is to lower the risk of cancer or eradicate it if it is already present in the gland. If, after this intervention, the totality of thyroid hormone-producing cells that remain within the body is not enough to satisfy its needs, the patient will develop hypothyroidism.
High TSH: symptoms
If the thyroid does not produce enough hormones, the pituitary increases TSH secretion. So, as it is a negative feedback system, a high TSH means that the thyroid hormones T3 and T4 are below the average level, producing a large and different number of symptoms in individuals.
Individually, each person can have any or all of these symptoms, which, in addition, can vary according to the severity of the hormonal deficiency and according to the length of time the body has been deprived of the necessary amounts of thyroid hormones. The symptoms associated with hypothyroidism, which in turn produces a high TSH, are:
- Hair loss.
- Soft spot.
- Thick and dry hair.
- Fatigue.
- Dry, rough, and pale skin.
- Decreased libido
- Weight gain or more incredible difficulty losing weight.
- Frequent muscle aches and pains.
- Constipation.
- Cold intolerance
- Depression.
- Irritability.
- Abnormal menstrual cycles
- Memory loss.
Occasionally, some patients with hypothyroidism have no symptoms or are so subtle that they go unnoticed. On the other hand, if you have already been diagnosed and treated for hypothyroidism and continue to have some or all of these symptoms, you should consult your doctor to adjust the treatment.
High TSH: consequences
Elevated TSH levels suggest a hormonal imbalance that can have severe consequences if left untreated. The body requires a certain amount of thyroid hormones for its proper functioning, and if that amount is exceeded, there will be many imbalances with health consequences:
- When thyroid hormone levels are not adequate, the pituitary will produce additional TSH to induce the thyroid to produce more hormones. This constant bombardment with high levels of TSH can cause the thyroid gland to enlarge and form a goiter, also called a compensatory goiter. This is nothing more than the abnormal regrowth of the thyroid gland.
- On the other hand, the accumulation of fluid and the swelling that hypothyroidism sometimes produces can pressure the nerves and damage or crush them. This leads to a condition called peripheral neuropathy. If hypothyroidism is not attacked in time, its symptoms will generally progress. Therefore, it is crucial to start treatment promptly.
- The most severe complication of untreated hypothyroidism is a type of coma called myxedema. The functions of the brain, lungs, and heart slow down. If left untreated, the patient’s life may be in real danger.
- During pregnancy, the lack of the hormone can cause congenital disabilities and problems in the baby’s intellectual development. Suppose you have been diagnosed with hypothyroidism and are pregnant or want to be pregnant. In that case, you take your thyroid check-ups very seriously, as the baby will undoubtedly be affected. Treatment for hypothyroidism must be adjusted many times during pregnancy.
High thyrotropin: how to lower it
Thyrotropin or high TSH is a symptom of hypothyroidism. This disease, in most cases, can be diagnosed with a simple blood test. Once diagnosed, it is entirely treatable.
To reduce the elevated level of TSH in the blood, the patient is treated with a thyroid hormone substitute. In many cases, they were simply taking a small pill by mouth once a day can restore hormonal balance. In general, taking this hormone substitute improves the patient’s quality of life, and almost all the symptoms caused by hypothyroidism are reversed.
Hypothyroidism is a condition that will affect the patient throughout his life, so he should always take medicine. Initially, the medication takes two weeks to achieve full effect. The patient should be attentive to changes and reappearance of symptoms, as sometimes it is necessary to readjust the dose.
This article is merely informative. At FastlyHeal .com, we do not have the power to prescribe medical treatments or make any diagnosis. We invite you to see a doctor if you present any type of condition or discomfort.
If you want to read more articles similar to high TSH: causes and consequences, we recommend that you enter our Endocrine System category.
I am a Surgeon with a diploma in comprehensive ultrasound and surgical care residency, an area I am specializing in. During the exercise of my profession, I have realized the need for patients to know the diseases they suffer, and I can tell you that a large part of their complications is due to a lack of information. Being a health web writer allows me to transmit my experience, without borders, to all those readers eager for knowledge, educate them in the prevention of diseases and promote a healthy lifestyle.