TSH surge
Physiological increase in thyroid-stimulating hormone levels that occurs in newborns during the first few days of life, affecting screening interpretation.
Full Definition
The TSH surge refers to the natural elevation of thyroid-stimulating hormone levels that peaks within 30 minutes of birth and gradually declines over the first week of life. This phenomenon is triggered by the transition from the intrauterine to extrauterine environment and exposure to cold air. Understanding TSH surge patterns is crucial for interpreting neonatal thyroid screening results, as specimens collected too early may yield falsely elevated TSH values that could lead to unnecessary recalls or false positive results.
Usage
Usage note: TSH should always be capitalized as it is an abbreviation for thyroid-stimulating hormone.
In Context
- "The laboratory adjusted their TSH cutoff values to account for the expected TSH surge in specimens collected within the first 24 hours." — Quality improvement report
- "Understanding TSH surge patterns helps distinguish physiological elevation from true congenital hypothyroidism in borderline cases." — Clinical interpretation guidelines