TSH
Medical abbreviation · Laboratory Test
| Stands for | Thyroid-stimulating hormone |
|---|---|
| Categories | Medical |
TSH stands for Thyroid-stimulating hormone, a laboratory test abbreviation.
Pituitary hormone that drives thyroid hormone production, and the most sensitive single blood test for thyroid function. Typical reference ranges are about 0.4 to 4.0 mIU/L; a high TSH indicates an underactive thyroid (primary hypothyroidism), while a suppressed TSH suggests an overactive thyroid.
Example: TSH 11.2 with low FT4; levothyroxine started and TSH to be rechecked in 6 to 8 weeks.
Usage notes
Also called thyrotropin. Because TSH responds exponentially to small changes in thyroid hormone, it detects problems before free T4 leaves its range. It becomes unreliable in pituitary disease, early treatment of hyperthyroidism and severe illness. High-dose biotin supplements can distort thyroid immunoassays, a problem the FDA warned about in 2017.
Related abbreviations
More laboratory test abbreviations
- TDM – Therapeutic drug monitoring
- TFT – Thyroid function tests
- TG – Triglycerides
- TIBC – Total iron-binding capacity
- TP – Total protein
- TSAT – Transferrin saturation
- TT – Thrombin time
- U&E – Urea and electrolytes
- UA – Urinalysis
- UACR – Urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio
- UCx – Urine culture
- UDS – Urine drug screen
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This entry is for general education and is not medical advice. Abbreviation use varies between institutions; always confirm in context.