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Expert Q&A
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| By David L. Fay, M.D. Family Physician Associate Director, Waukesha Family Practice Residency Program | ||
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I have a diagnosis of hypothyroidism. What is the optimum level of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH)?
Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) is how the body tells your thyroid gland to produce thyroid hormone. TSH levels rise when there is less thyroid hormone in the blood and fall when there is more. The normal level varies from lab to lab, but generally is about 0.5 to 4.5 (check with your doctor). When treating patients with hypothyroidism, the goal is to get the TSH into the normal range. If the TSH remains high, the dose of thyroid hormone is increased; if it is too low, the dose is decreased."
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- I have a diagnosis of hypothyroidism. What is the optimum level of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH)?