Normal Range of Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH)

This blog tells the normal and abnormal ranges of TSH levels in women, pregnant women, children and men. It will also tell what abnormal levels signify.

Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) is an important hormone that helps in controlling the thyroid gland functions. The thyroid stimulating hormone sends the thyroid gland with certain signals. These signals stimulate the gland to produce thyroid hormone when there is an alteration in the level of thyroid hormone in your blood. You might be wondering that what is the normal value of TSH- thyroid stimulating hormone in the human body. The normal levels of the TSH hormone vary from one individual to another. The levels of TSH hormone depend upon the individual’s age, gender, and the stage of life he is in. This means that the normal range of TSH hormone might vary in a non-pregnant and pregnant woman considering they are in the same age.

We often get symptoms like extreme fatigue, constipation, sensitivity to cold environments, weight gain, puffiness in and around the face, etc. We often take these symptoms lightly/for granted. These symptoms can be the signs of some potential thyroid diseases. You should get yourself tested for the TSH hormone levels.

What is the Optimum Range of TSH in the Human Body?

The normal range of TSH hormone is usually from 0.4 mU/L to 4.0 mU/L.
Some studies have shown that almost around 30% of the patients having TSH hormone levels above than 3.0 mU/L usually suffer from some thyroid-related autoimmune disease.

The normal levels of TSH hormones for various groups of people are given below.

Normal Range of THT Hormone in Adult Age Group for Males

Some studies were conducted in 2013 that demonstrated below mentioned levels of TSH hormones in males-

In males aging 18-50 years have their-
- Normal TSH levels between 0.5 - 4.1 mU/L.
- Less TSH levels than 0.5 mU/L, signify a significantly low TSH hormone level,
- More TSH hormone level than 4.1 mU/L, signifies a significantly high TSH hormone value.
In males aging between 51-70 years have-
- normal TSH hormone levels between 0.5 - 4.5 mU/L.
- Less TSH levels than 0.5 mU/L, shows that there is a low TSH hormone value,
- Increased TSH levels than 4.5 mU/L, signified that there is a high TSH hormone value.
In males aging 71-90 years
- Their normal TSH hormone levels lies between 0.4 - 5.2 mU/L.
- Less TSH hormone levels than 0.4 mU/L, tells a low TSH value
- Increased TSH hormone level than 5.2 mU/L, indicates that there is a high TSH hormone value.

TSH Normal Range for adult Age Groups (Females)

Studies have shown that females stay at a higher risk of having thyroid related conditions as compared to males. This happens because women have greater hormonal fluctuations than men during their different life stages including that during pregnancy, menstruation, and menopause.

The TSH hormone levels in non-pregnant females:

Females aging between 18-29 years have
- Their normal TSH hormone levels in females range between 0.4 - 2.34 mU/L.
- A low TSH hormone level than 0.4 mU/L, tells that there is a lower TSH hormone value
- Increased TSH hormone level than 2.34 mU/L, signifies that there is high TSH hormone value.
In females aging 30-49 years,
- The normal TSH hormone levels range between 0.4 - 4.0 mU/L.
- A low TSH hormone level than 0.4 mU/L, means that the hormone levels of TSH are in a low value
- A higher TSH hormone level than 4.0 mU/L, means that there is a high TSH hormone value.
In females aging between 50 - 79 years,
- The normal TSH hormone levels lies between 0.46 - 4.68 mU/L.
- A less TSH hormone levels than 0.46 mU/L, tells a significantly low TSH hormone value
- A higher TSH hormone level than 4.68 mU/L, tells a higher TSH hormone value.

TSH Normal Range in Children

In a child who is in its growing stage, the range of TSH hormones differs.

In Children aging between 0-4 days old,
- Normal TSH hormone levels lie between 1.6 - 24.3 mU/L.
- If there is a low TSH hormone level than 1.6 mU/L, it means that TSH hormone value is low,
- If there is a higher TSH hormone level than 24.3 mU/L, it means that TSH hormone values are high.
In the Children aging between 2-20 weeks old
- Normal TSH hormone levels lie between 0.58 - 5.57 mU/L.
- A low TSH hormone level than 0.58 mU/L, means the TSH hormone value is low.
- A higher TSH hormone level than 5.57 mU/L, means that TSH hormone value is higher.
In Children aging between 20 weeks to 18 years
Normal TSH hormone levels lie between 0.55 - 5.31 mU/L.
A low TSH hormone level lies less than 0.55 mU/L
A higher TSH hormone level than 5.31 mU/L, means TSH hormone value are higher than normal.

TSH Normal Range in Pregnant Women

The TSH hormone levels’ normal range during pregnancy varies according to the trimester.

Women in their first trimester, have
- Normal TSH hormone levels between 0.6 - 3.4 mU/L.
- A lower TSH hormone level than 0.6 mU/L, signifies TSH hormone value is lower than normal.
- A higher TSH hormone level during 1st trimester is more than 3.4 mU/L value than normal.
In the second trimester,
- The hormonal range of TSH hormone levels range between 0.37 - 3.6 mU/L.
- A lower TSH hormone level than 0.37 mU/L value, means that TSH hormone value is lower than normal.
- A higher TSH hormone level than 3.6 mU/L, means TSH hormone value is higher than normal.
Women in their third trimester have
- Normal TSH hormone levels lie between 0.38 - 4.0 mU/L.
- A lower TSH hormone level than 0.38 mU/L, means TSH hormone value is lower than normal.
- A higher TSH hormone level than 4.0 mU/L, means TSH hormone value is higher than normal.

What do Abnormal Levels of TSH Indicate?

The change in your TSH hormone levels tells a lot about your health status. Your thyroid hormone in your blood has an inversely proportional relationship with your TSH levels. The abnormal TSH hormone levels indicates that:

Having an Abnormally high TSH levels signifies the underactivity of the thyroid gland. This condition where thyroid gland is underactive is known as hypothyroidism.
Having an Abnormally declined TSH hormone levels indicates that your thyroid gland is over active. This situation is given the name of hyperthyroidism state.

Conclusion

Some most common endocrine disorders are thyroid-related issues that are prevalent in recent times. You should know about the normal range of TSH hormones in your body according to your age, gender, and the stage of your life you are in. This knowledge will help you analyse your health status in a better manner. Which will eventually help in taking appropriate and relevant precautions and treatment before the condition worsens.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How can I know my TSH level?

You can know your TSH level by getting a blood test done. You can book your TSH test online easily at Ganesh Diagnostic and Imaging Center through a call or you can book your test online. Our phlebotomist will come and collect your blood sample at home for the testing.