To understand what causes low TSH you will first need to understand the role of the thyroid gland in the body. Located in the neck below your Adam’s apple (or where it would be if you are female!) and above your breastbone.
What Does a Low TSH Level Mean?
It’s duty is to regulate everything in regards to the body’s metabolism in conjunction with the pituitary gland. Every cell in the human body needs thyroid hormones to function correctly and as such they are a finite resource. Your thyroid regulates the supply by controlling the production of the 2 significant thyroid hormones; thyroxine(also known as t4) and triiodothyronine(also known as t3).
The pituitary gland then releases TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone) depending on the levels of T3 and T4 in the blood stream. A high amount of these hormones causes low TSH, conversely a low amount of T3 and T4 results in high TSH production. As such low TSH levels are caused when the thyroid produces and releases too much of these hormones into the body. Known as Hyperthyroidism or an overactive thyroid, it can cause any number of these low TSH symptoms.
Low TSH Test – How is Low TSH Diagnosed?
Low TSH level can be diagnosed by a simple blood test in which a doctor will draw blood from your upper arm using a surgical needle. As well as testing if you have a low TSH level, your doctor may also order for a test of your thyroxin and triiodothyronine levels at the same time.
What Is A Low TSH Level?
Keep in mind that your specific clinic have different ranges for what is considered a low TSH level and are listed just as a general reference. Your doctor will also take your TSH test results and examine them in conjunction with your current health levels and other factors that could influence or change your TSH production rate.
- Adults – 0.4-4.2 mU/L
- Children – 0.7-6.4 mU/L
- Newborns -1 – 39 mU/L
Low TSH Levels Treatment
So you have had your levels checked by a doctor and it turns out you have low TSH and have been diagnosed with hypothyroidism, what now?
As you may recall, low TSH is caused by over production of T3 and T4 and as such your body needs assistance in slowing down the production of these hormones. Depending on the severity of your individual case your doctor may just advise that you make alterations to your diet in order to naturally assist you, other courses of action may include:
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Pills which inhibit the amount of T3 and T4 that the body can produce.
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Iodine pills that are absorbed by the thyroid gland which have the effect of physically decreasing it size and therefore its ability to produce T3 and T4.
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In some cases your doctor may even recommend undergoing a thyroidectomy, a process in which a section of your thyroid gland is surgically removed. This decreases its ability to produce thyroxine and triiodothyronine and therefore raising your TSH levels.
