Many women with hypothyroidism on thyroid hormone replacement therapy have TSH levels above the desired 2.5 mU/L level in early pregnancy. Higher TSH levels (TSH levels > 4.5 mU/L) are associated with increased risk for miscarriage and should be avoided in early pregnancy.
Q. Can pregnancy increase TSH levels?
How does pregnancy normally affect thyroid function? Two pregnancy-related hormones—human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) and estrogen—cause increased thyroid hormone levels in the blood. Made by the placenta, hCG is similar to TSH and mildly stimulates the thyroid to produce more thyroid hor- mone.
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Q. What causes sudden increase in TSH levels?
Your TSH levels will be increased, if: Your thyroid gland is not working as it normally should. Your thyroid gland is infected or inflamed, as in Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, or autoimmune thyroiditis. This occurs when your body is attacking your thyroid gland, for some unknown reason.
Q. What is the normal TSH range during pregnancy?
TSH levels during pregnancy
| Stage of pregnancy | Normal | Low |
|---|---|---|
| First trimester | 0.6–3.4 mU/L | < 0.6 mU/L |
| Second trimester | 0.37–3.6 mU/L | < 0.3 mU/L |
| Third trimester | 0.38–4.0 mU/L | < 0.3 mU/L |
Q. Is TSH 4.2 normal in pregnancy?
The clinical implication of this study is that a TSH greater than 2.5 mIU/L may not be normal during the first trimester of pregnancy. This study suggests that the upper limit of the TSH normal range should be redefined as less than 2.5 mIU/L during pregnancy.
Q. What should I do if my TSH level is high?
An elevation in the thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) level indicates that the thyroid gland is not functioning properly….Treatment for hypothyroidism or high TSH levels:
- Using thyroid hormone T4 supplements will help reduce your TSH level due to the feedback loop that exists in your body.
- Treating the cause.
Q. Can illness affect TSH levels?
“If you become very sick, your TSH can be suppressed,” Davies says. Being ill can put stress on your endocrine system, so your doctor may need to review your medication while you’re sick. You change your diet.
Q. Can TSH levels change quickly?
Because a single test can be misleading, a second test is usually done 2 or 3 months later. In both tests, the blood is taken at the same time of day because TSH levels can fluctuate over the course of 24 hours.
