

Until then, the baby is entirely dependent on the transfer of thyroid hormones from the mother.īoth hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism can occur during pregnancy. At around 12 weeks, the baby will start to produce thyroid hormones of its own. Thyroid hormones can affect brain and nervous system development of the baby, especially during the first trimester. This may vary based upon your age and gender. If you’re already being treated for a thyroid disorder, your doctor will probably consider your TSH level to be normal if it’s somewhere between 0.5 to 3.0 mIU/L. TSH levels in children, babies, and pregnant women can fall outside of the normal range for adults. The TSH range may also vary slightly based on the testing facility where your blood is being analyzed. Some research suggests that this range should actually be more like 0.45 to 2.5 mIU/L. The normal range of TSH levels in adults is between 0.4 to 4.0 mIU/L (milli-international units per liter). It’s often the most sensitive indicator that a thyroid problem is present. It stimulates the thyroid to produce triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4).Īn imbalance in TSH provides information about your thyroid and its ability to produce and secrete thyroid hormones. The TSH test is sometimes given on its own as a preliminary screening test. In some cases, your doctor may also perform the following tests: These tests measure thyroid hormone levels in the blood and can help determine how your thyroid gland is functioning. If your doctor suspects that you have a thyroid disorder, they may recommend one or several blood tests that are part of a thyroid function panel. The most common are autoimmune diseases and iodine deficiency. Several conditions can cause a thyroid hormone imbalance. Thyroid hormones play an important role in: The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped, hormone-secreting gland located in the front of the neck.

Treatment may include hormones or other medications. Thyroid level tests, including the TSH test, help doctors diagnose thyroid conditions, including hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism.
