What does it mean if your thyroid blood test is high?

BY James Garrett 01/11/2022

What does it mean if your thyroid blood test is high?

A high TSH level indicates that the thyroid gland is not making enough thyroid hormone (primary hypothyroidism). On the other hand, a low TSH level usually indicates that the thyroid is producing too much thyroid hormone (hyperthyroidism).

What blood level indicates thyroid problems?

The test, called a thyroid function test, looks at levels of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and thyroxine (T4) in the blood. Doctors may refer to this as “free” T4 (FT4). A high level of TSH and a low level of T4 in the blood could mean you have an underactive thyroid.

What can happen if your TSH is too high?

TSH is a hormone that is created by the pituitary gland that tells the thyroid gland how much thyroid hormone to make. Symptoms of high TSH include fatigue, depression, cold intolerance, constipation, infertility and other symptoms.

How do you treat high thyroid levels?

Medicines called thionamides are commonly used to treat an overactive thyroid. They stop your thyroid producing excess hormones. The main types used are carbimazole and propylthiouracil. You’ll usually need to take the medicine for 1 to 2 months before you notice any benefit.

What are symptoms of high thyroid?

An overactive thyroid can cause a wide range of symptoms, including:

  • nervousness, anxiety and irritability.
  • mood swings.
  • difficulty sleeping.
  • persistent tiredness and weakness.
  • sensitivity to heat.
  • swelling in your neck from an enlarged thyroid gland (goitre)
  • an irregular and/or unusually fast heart rate (palpitations)

What are the signs of high thyroid levels?

nervousness,anxiety and irritability

  • hyperactivity – you may find it hard to stay still and have a lot of nervous energy
  • mood swings
  • difficulty sleeping
  • feeling tired all the time
  • sensitivity to heat
  • muscle weakness
  • diarrhoea
  • needing to pee more often than usual
  • persistent thirst

    • What does it mean if your thyroid is too high?

    Hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid) occurs when your thyroid gland produces too much of the hormone thyroxine. Hyperthyroidism can accelerate your body’s metabolism, causing unintentional weight loss and a rapid or irregular heartbeat. Several treatments are available for hyperthyroidism.

    What are the causes of high thyroid levels?

    Normal TSH – Adults should have TSH hormone levels that range from 0.4-4.2 mU/L.

  • Low TSH – Low TSH levels can be a sign that you are dealing with an overactive thyroid gland from conditions such as goiter,noncancerous tumors or Graves’s disease.
  • High TSH – High levels of TSH are typically caused by an underactive thyroid or hypothyroidism.

    • What does a high thyroid blood count mean?

    A high TSH level can mean a new diagnosis of hypothyroidism, or an underactive thyroid. A low TSH might mean hyperthyroidism, or an overactive thyroid. That said, there are exceptions to these interpretations, as well as what a “normal” level means for you.