Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH)

Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) is a measure of thyroid health. The thyroid hormones govern metabolism, or the body’s energy production. Poor thyroid function be caused by and can contribute to stress. Stress inhibits thyroid hormone production and utilization, and the stress systems tend to take over to compensate for low thyroid function. Thyroid function is vital for maintaining gut health, too. Thyroid hormones govern the growth and proliferation of the cells in the gut, and promote gut motility, support the immune system, and enhance digestive enzyme and stomach acid secretion. Low thyroid function is common in aging and several chronic and age related diseases, as energy metabolism is what fundamentally maintains the structure and function of every cell, tissue and organ system in the body.

TSH is made by the pituitary gland as apart of thyroid hormone production. It causes the thyroid gland to secrete thyroid hormones T4 and T3, and these in turn lower the output of TSH. Thus, high levels of TSH are indicative of poor thyroid hormone output. Even slightly elevated TSH has been shown to be a risk for impaired metabolic function and stress. TSH can also be lowered by by stress hormones, so it should be interpreted alongside other thyroid metrics and symptoms.