PharmEasy has made diagnostic analysis done through the latest technology available to people across the country. The reports are 100% accurate and trusted by doctors. The Labs are run by highly efficient technicians. To add another layer of accuracy, every report is verified by a pathologist, and only then is it emailed to the user. Home sample collection is also offered. On top of this all, you get huge discounts on all tests, including the TSH test in Guntur.

TSH stands for thyroid stimulating hormone. The thyroid is a small gland located in the front of the neck, under the skin. T3 and T4 are the two hormones produced by the thyroid gland that play an important role in the functioning of our body. These hormones regulate the metabolic rate of the body, growth and development. The thyroid gland affects almost all the organs and systems of the body by controlling the heart, muscle strength, brain development, body temperature, bone maintenance and many more.

Having too much or too little thyroid hormones in the blood disrupts the rate of body function. The pituitary gland, located at the base of our brain, produces thyroid-stimulating hormone. This hormone controls the function of the thyroid gland. TSH tells the thyroid when and how much hormone the thyroid needs to produce.

If the thyroid releases too little hormone into the blood, the pituitary increases its secretion of TSH, triggering the thyroid to produce more hormone. Whereas if the level of thyroid hormones is too high, the pituitary gland reduces the production of TSH to control thyroid secretion. Therefore, TSH testing can monitor thyroid levels in the blood to determine whether a person's thyroid is working as well as it should.

When the thyroid produces an excess amount of hormones, the condition is called hyperthyroidism, while underproduction of thyroid hormones is known as hypothyroidism. The TSH test can tell if thyroid hormones are being secreted in the right amount but not the underlying cause. If the TSH test results are abnormal, tests for thyroid hormones (T3 and T4) and antibodies may be needed.

An untreated underactive or overactive thyroid can lead to many health complications, including goitre, Hashimoto's thyroiditis, pregnancy problems, Graves disease, irregular heartbeat that can cause blood clots, heart failure, stroke etc.

A problem with the pituitary gland can cause TSH levels to be high. A TSH test is done to check if a newborn baby has congenital hypothyroidism. Apart from abnormal thyroid levels, there are some factors that can affect TSH, which are:

• Age: It is not uncommon for healthy senior adults over the age of 80 to have high TSH
• Pregnancy: TSH levels fall mildly in the first trimester of pregnancy, which starts to rise again later
• Health problems: Any type of illness lowers TSH levels, but these levels begin to return to normal with recovery.
• Medications and supplements: Certain medicines and over-the-counter health supplements can alter the TSH level

If you have thyroid problems, your doctor may order a TSH test to determine whether your thyroid is overactive or underactive. A TSH test is needed to check thyroid levels regularly if you have had your thyroid removed or had thyroid surgery. Even after treatment for hyperthyroidism, a TSH test is needed to see if the thyroid is working properly.

No special preparation is required for the TSH test. If other blood tests have been recommended and those require fasting or not taking particular medicines prior to the test, your doctor will let you know.

During the TSH Test

A phlebotomist from PharmEasy Labs will come to your home. With a vein finder, an appropriate vein will be located in your arm. A new needle will be inserted into that vein and a bit of blood will be drawn, which will then be collected into a tube. It will be taken to a Lab for analysis.