TSH is often the first test doctors use to determine whether you have too little or too much thyroid hormones. High TSH is often linked to an underactive thyroid or hypothyroidism. Read on to learn about the causes, symptoms, and health effects of high TSH levels.<\/p>\n
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Causes listed below are commonly associated with higher TSH. However, while an abnormal TSH test can indicate there is a problem, it can’t pinpoint the cause. In addition, a result that’s higher than normal doesn’t necessarily mean that you have a health condition needing treatment.<\/p>\n
Your doctor will usually follow this result with additional testing to investigate why your TSH is high. Work with your doctor or another health care professional to get an accurate diagnosis.<\/p>\n
TSH often increases in response to an underactive thyroid gland (primary hypothyroidism) [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n A relatively common cause of hypothyroidism is Hashimoto\u2019s thyroiditis<\/strong><\/a>, an autoimmune disorder in which the immune system attacks and gradually destroys the thyroid gland [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n Both iodine deficiency or excessive iodine intake can result in an elevated TSH [R<\/a>, R<\/a>].<\/p>\n Globally, the most common cause of hypothyroidism is<\/strong> iodine<\/strong><\/a> deficiency<\/strong> [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n Thyroid hormones are made from the chemical iodine, which humans need to get from the food they eat. Not getting enough iodine in the diet (severe iodine deficiency) can lead to hypothyroidism, and may even cause goiters (a large swelling of the thyroid gland that bulges out from the neck) [R<\/a>, R<\/a>].<\/p>\n Many studies also show that excessive iodine intake can also lead to hypothyroidism (>150 \u03bcg for people with existing thyroid diseases, or >1,100 \u03bcg for health individuals) [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n For example, children living in an area with abnormally high iodine concentrations in their drinking water show higher rates of thyroid dysfunction (increased levels of TSH and thyroid antibodies) [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n Animal and cell studies show that excess iodine can be toxic to the thyroid gland and lead to thyroid cell death [R<\/a>, R<\/a>, R<\/a>].<\/p>\n Overeating is another common cause of thyroid dysfunction. A study found that chronic overeating led to an increase in T3 levels over both the short- and long-term (from 3 weeks up to 7 months) [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n Directly tied to overeating, being severely overweight can also raise TSH levels [R<\/a>, R<\/a>].<\/p>\n Two separate studies have shown that among women, overweight and obese ones have higher TSH levels than normal-weight patients. This includes people with higher overall body weight and body mass index (BMI), larger waist size, and higher body fat percentage [R<\/a>, R<\/a>].<\/p>\n Another study found that healthy young women with high TSH levels were found to be twice as likely to have metabolic syndrome (a condition that causes obesity, high blood pressure, and high levels of sugar, fat, and cholesterol in the blood) when compared to women with lower TSH levels [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n The link between TSH and obesity doesn\u2019t apply only to women, either: two large-scale studies have shown that higher TSH levels are associated with a higher BMI in both male and female patients alike [R<\/a>, R<\/a>].<\/p>\n TSH is involved in the weight of children as well. Obese and overweight children have higher TSH levels, and these high levels are linked to increases in cholesterol, fat, and blood pressure [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n Radiation therapy in the head and neck area can damage the thyroid gland and thereby cause hypothyroidism. This, in turn, increases TSH levels [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n Although rare, tumors of the pituitary gland can sometimes produce and release excessive amounts of TSH [R<\/a>, R<\/a>].<\/p>\n Some toxins, drugs, and supplements can increase TSH, including:<\/p>\n<\/a>2) Iodine Deficiency or Excess<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
<\/a>3) Obesity<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
<\/a>4) Radiation Therapy<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
<\/a>5) Pituitary Tumors<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
<\/a>6) Some Toxins, Drugs, and Supplements<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
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