Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) is produced by the brain to achieve normal thyroid levels. Production of TSH stimulates the release of the two hormones from the thyroid gland – Triiodothyronine (T3) and Thyroxine (T4).
Sufficient amounts of the hormones T3 and T4 are essential as these hormones are responsible for the regular metabolic functions of the body. Metabolic function refers to the capacity of the body to break down food intake into energy.
Other roles of the hormones include the maintenance of the average body temperature, maturation of the brain, promotion of growth in children, and activation of the brain processes.
There can be circumstances when the body does not meet the normal thyroid levels, which can either be low or high, depending on the condition of the person. The following are some of those circumstances
Failing Thyroid Gland Leads To Reduction Of Hormones
Having thyroid hormones below the average level can already be alarming.
A study by David Cooper, Michael McDermott, and Leonard Wartofsky (2004) discussed in detail the reason that a person can have lower than normal thyroid levels. Low levels of thyroid hormones mean that a patient has a condition called hypothyroidism.
Symptoms of hypothyroidism include tiredness, weight gain, dry skin and hair, and sluggishness among others. Cooper et al. elaborated how one can obtain such condition. It may come from radioactive treatments that use iodine, may be genetically acquired since birth, or may be due to problems in the pituitary gland of the brain.
The researchers stated that if normal thyroid levels are not met and left untreated, an individual could be affected due to decrease physical and mental performance. Also, it can increase the level of cholesterol in the body, which in turn could lead to some diseases of the heart.
High Levels Of Hormones Due To Overstimulation of Thyroid Gland
There are also cases when the hormone level is way too high. This condition refers to hyperthyroidism.
In a study by Frank Giannelli (2015), the author enumerated symptoms of hyperthyroidism, which include an increase in the blood pressure, anxiety, and weight loss without reducing food intake.
According to a study published by Janet Torpy, Cassio Lynm, and Robert Golub (2011), the underlying causes of hyperthyroidism can be due to some disorders. Grave’s disease is one of them. It is an illness wherein your body attacks its organs and tissues, increasing the levels of the thyroid hormones.
Torpy et al. added a medical problem called goiter as another reason why a person cannot maintain the normal thyroid levels. When an individual has a goiter, there is an enlargement of the thyroid gland, which causes the rapid increase of T3 and T4 hormones.
Pregnancy: Also A Risk For High Or Low Thyroid Levels
Pregnancy is a very delicate stage in a woman’s life. There are a lot of risks that could affect both the mother and the baby inside the womb. Factors such as the maternity age of the mother and medical conditions experienced before or during the pregnancy can cause some serious complications.
Since pregnancy is a natural process, it can cause few to several changes in the physiologic and metabolic functions of the body.
A study published by Aynadis Alemu, Betelihem Terefe, Molla Abebe, and Belete Biadgo (2016) addressed the thyroid dysfunction experienced during pregnancy. A gestating woman typically has increased HCG levels leading to an overstimulation of the thyroid hormones.
Alemu et al. indicated that this phenomenon is normal, but there are variations in the degrees of elevation of these hormones. Some may lead to a condition called hyperemesis gravidarum wherein the hormones pass beyond the normal thyroid levels. A more frequent and severe form of vomiting and some fetal risks may accompany this condition.
In the same study, it is mentioned that giving birth can also cause congenital hypothyroidism, or medically known as cretinism. Cretinism results from the absence of thyroid tissue and genetic defects, which leads to a hormonal deficiency in the newborn child.
It is crucial to check and maintain normal thyroid levels, most especially when you are pregnant. Certain medications can affect thyroid hormones, such as Amiodarone, Dopamine, Lithium, Prednisone, and Potassium iodide. It is best to consult your doctor before taking these medications, particularly if you have abnormal levels of thyroid hormones.
A TSH test is often the most appropriate and convenient way to find out if your thyroid gland is overly active or underactive. But it’s not the only way to tell if your thyroid is correctly performing its metabolic functions or not (other tests talked about in the article here may also be appropriate.)
Keeping your thyroid hormones within the range of 0.5 to 2.0 mU/L is recommended by the American Thyroid Association. To achieve normal thyroid levels and avoid problems in the future, get tested and be treated right away.
References
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0072572/
https://academic.oup.com/jcem/article/89/11/E2/2844094
https://journals.lww.com/jaapa/Citation/2015/08000/Hyperthyroidism.10.aspx
https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/1104118
https://www.healthline.com/health/tsh#preparation
https://www.everydayhealth.com/hs/healthy-living-with-hypothyroidism/understanding-test-results/
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