What Is a Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone?

Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) is a hormone secreted by the pituitary gland. The pituitary gland secretes thyroid stimulating hormone. On the one hand, it is promoted by the thyroid-stimulating hormone-releasing hormone (TRH) secreted by the hypothalamus. The inhibitory effects of the two, which are antagonistic to each other, form the hypothalamus-adenohypophysis-thyroid axis.

Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) is a hormone secreted by the pituitary gland. The pituitary gland secretes thyroid stimulating hormone. On the one hand, it is promoted by the thyroid-stimulating hormone-releasing hormone (TRH) secreted by the hypothalamus. The inhibitory effects of the two, which are antagonistic to each other, form the hypothalamus-adenohypophysis-thyroid axis.
Chinese name
Thyroid stimulating hormone
Foreign name
thyroid stimulating hormone, TSH
Short name
TSH
Secretory organ
Pituitary

Overview of thyroid stimulating hormone

Thyroid stimulating hormone is mainly responsible for regulating the proliferation of thyroid cells, blood supply to the thyroid gland, and the synthesis and secretion of thyroid hormones. It plays the most important regulatory role in maintaining normal thyroid function. Diseases of the pituitary gland can directly affect the synthesis and release of TSH. When the thyroid itself causes abnormal thyroid hormone synthesis and secretion, it can also affect the secretion of pituitary TSH and serum TSH levels. Similarly, when hypothalamic disease affects TRH secretion, it also affects pituitary TSH secretion and serum TSH levels.

Clinical significance of thyroid stimulating hormone:

TSH is one of the hormones secreted by the anterior pituitary gland. Its main function is to control and regulate thyroid activity. Determination of thyroid stimulating hormone in serum (plasma) is one of the important indicators for the diagnosis and treatment of hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism, as well as the study of the hypothalamus-pituitary-thyroid axis. It is an indispensable tool in the diagnosis of hypothyroidism and the differential diagnosis of primary and secondary (hypothalamic or pituitary) hypothyroidism. In the treatment of hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism, its TSH can be used as an indicator of efficacy. In addition, it can be used to observe the pituitary TSH reserve function, and can further distinguish the lesions of the hypothalamus and pituitary. The TSH test is a preliminary screening test to identify thyroid function. A small change in free thyroid concentration will cause a significant adjustment in the opposite direction of TSH concentration.
1. Elevated serum TSH: common in primary hypothyroidism, TSH secretion tumors, iodine-deficiency endemic goiter, thyroid hormone resistance syndrome and so on.
2. Serum TSH reduction: common in primary hyperthyroidism, TSH gene mutation, various pituitary diseases (such as pituitary adenoma, pituitary inflammation, pituitary hemorrhagic disease or injury disease, etc.) affect TSH cell function Period of thyroiditis, and clinical application of high-dose glucocorticoids, etc.

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