Very low level of thyroid stimulating hormone?
what are the causes of very low tyroid stimulating hormone (0.02 IU) for a female 25 years old complaining of lethargy, body pain and cold sensation? Thanks in Advance
User Comments
- Normally it would be an indication of an over active thyroid, but in your case I believe you have the more rare case of a problem with your pituitary.
TSH is produced by your pituitary gland to tell your thyroid to produce hormones. You have hypothyroidism caused by a pituitary failure. You may undergo an MRI to take a look at the pituitary. I had that done, when another hormone the pituitary produces was low.
I had my thyroid removed after cancer. I am not sure what the treatment is for your case. For me it was taking thyroid hormones daily.
- Was your T4 low too? If you are hypothyroid with a low TSH, it's a sign of central hypothyroidism resulting from low pituitary secretion of TSH which could be the result of a variety of conditions including tumor or bleeding into the pituitary fossa among other things.
- It's hard to tell with just one test. The TSH is considered hyper, but her symptoms sound hypo. TSH is a poor test because TSH fluctulates throughout the day. It is highest while we sleep and at its lowest point around 2PM. That's why its very important to test TSH first thing in the morning.
Your friend needs to get further testing to either diagnose or rule out thyroid. I suggest a morning test of TSH, free t4, free t3, and a thyroid antibody test.