Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH)

The TSH test, which stands for Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone test, is a blood test that helps doctors figure out different types of thyroid problems. The thyroid is a small gland in your neck that makes hormones important for your energy and metabolism. This test can tell if the thyroid is working too much, too little, or just right.

Doctors use the TSH test to help them understand if someone has primary, secondary, or tertiary hypothyroidism. These are types of conditions where the thyroid isn’t making enough hormones. It’s also used to check if someone might have hyperthyroidism, which is when the thyroid is too active.

The test is also helpful for people who are taking thyroid medicine because they have thyroid problems. It helps doctors decide if the amount of medicine being taken is right or if it needs to be changed. This is especially important for people who are taking medicine to keep thyroid cancer from coming back after they have been treated.