Intermediate
Technical
IVT
Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone
Also written as: TSH — Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone
A pituitary hormone that regulates thyroid gland function, commonly measured to assess thyroid disorders.
Full Definition
Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) is a glycoprotein hormone produced by the anterior pituitary gland that stimulates the thyroid gland to produce thyroid hormones. TSH levels are inversely related to thyroid hormone levels and serve as the primary screening test for thyroid dysfunction. Elevated TSH typically indicates hypothyroidism, while suppressed TSH suggests hyperthyroidism. TSH testing is often the first-line assessment in thyroid evaluation.
Usage
Usage note: Always capitalize when spelled out; TSH is the preferred abbreviation in clinical contexts.
In Context
- "The patient's TSH level of 15.2 mIU/L indicated primary hypothyroidism." — Laboratory report
- "Thyroid-stimulating hormone should be measured in the morning due to its circadian variation." — Clinical protocol
Also known as
TSH
Thyrotropin
Don't confuse with
Thyroglobulin
Thyroid peroxidase antibody