What is the Thyroid Stimulating Hormone Test?
Although you have the same habits, your weight has changed significantly; you always feel tired. You are always hot or cold but never comfortable. You did not have a regular period, but you are not pregnant, you have a bump on your neck. If you experience any of these symptoms, it may be time for you to be checked with a Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH) test . What is TSH? The TSH test is a blood test that measures the level of TSH in your blood. The pituitary gland in your brain makes a hormone called thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) , which stimulates the production of TSH by the pituitary gland. This hormone tells the thyroid gland whether to speed up or slow down its production of T3 and T4. TSH is released into the bloodstream, where it travels throughout your body, stimulating the growth and activity of thyroid cells in your thyroid gland. When too little thyroid hormone is in your body, your pituitary gland will produce more TSH. Conversely, if too muc...