All biological systems in the human body are controlled by hormones. These chemical compounds affect not only the physical, but also the emotional state, especially in women. Even a slight deviation of the endocrine balance from the norm can significantly worsen the state of health and cause serious complications.
A thyroid-stimulating hormone - what is this in women?
The described substance is produced in the anterior pituitary gland, its secretion is regulated by the central nervous system (for the most part). The hormone TSH or thyrotropin is a glycoprotein that has the following effects on the female body:
- control of the production of T3 (triiodothyronine) and T4 ( thyroxine );
- regulation of the menstrual cycle, reproductive functions and intestinal motility;
- ensuring the energy balance of the body;
- participation in the synthesis of vitamin A, phospholipids, nucleic acids and proteins;
- normalization of the work of the organs of sight, hearing, cardiovascular and nervous systems;
- improvement of iodine assimilation by thyroid gland cells;
- stabilization of psychosomatic reactions to stress.
Normally, there is a negative feedback T3, T4 and TTG. With an increase or a sharp decrease in the concentration of triiodothyronine and thyroxine in the blood plasma, the thyroid gland signals a pituitary gland of imbalance. As a result, the intensity of the production of thyrotropin varies, so for the correct diagnosis it is necessary to determine the number of these biological compounds in the complex.
Analysis for hormones - TTG
The chemical in question is characterized by daily fluctuations in the concentration norm. Its maximum amount in plasma is observed between 2-4 hours of the night. By 6-8 am, thyrotropin begins to decline, reaching a low in the evening, so the blood on TTG is better to take in the morning. If you stay awake at night, the production of the hormone is severely impaired.
Preparation for the delivery of a blood test for TTG
To correctly determine the concentration of thyrotropin, all side effects that may affect the results of the study should be excluded. Experts recommend in the morning to take TTG - a blood test in the early hours will help determine a reliable value, close to the maximum. It is important to have a good sleep before going to the laboratory, otherwise the reliability of the study will decrease.
Before you take a blood test for TTG, you need:
- Do not eat for 8 hours.
- Refuse to smoke on study day.
- On the eve of a visit to the laboratory, prefer foods that are easy to digest, and do not eat well.
- Avoid physical and emotional overload.
- Do not drink alcohol for 5 days before the analysis.
Thyrotropic hormone is normal in women
In different laboratories, the values of the described parameter differ depending on the sensitivity of the equipment, therefore it is customary to indicate reference indicators. TTG - the norm in women by age (mIU / l):
- 14-25 years - 0,6-4,5;
- 26-50 years old - 0.4-4.0;
- after 51 years - up to 4,5.
Special attention to thyrotropin should be given to women, reaching 40 years of age. This period precedes menopause, so hormonal failures and the associated problems are likely. After menopause, it is also important to regularly monitor the level of TSH - the norm of this indicator should not exceed the limits of 0.4-4.5 mIU / l. The increase or decrease in thyrotropin is fraught with severe thyroid diseases and the organic systems that it controls.
TTG it is raised or increased - what does it mean at women?
A slight one-fold increase in the concentration of the chemical compound presented is considered by doctors as a variant of the norm. The thyroid-stimulating hormone is raised in acceptable limits against the background of such conditions:
- lack of sleep;
- physical overload;
- stress or emotional arousal;
- violation of the rules of preparation for analysis;
- excessive use of iodine.
TTG is elevated - causes
If thyrotropin in the blood plasma is much higher than normal, you need to contact the endocrinologist. Only a specialist will be able to find out why the thyroid-stimulating hormone is elevated - what this means, can not be determined on the basis of the results of one analysis and a physical examination. To determine the exact causes of the problem, you will have to undergo a series of studies and find out the concentrations of T3 and T4.
There are several pathological conditions that affect thyroid-stimulating hormone - the norm is exceeded in the following cases:
- inflammation of the thyroid gland;
- hypothyroidism ;
- poisoning with lead compounds;
- primary decompensated renal failure;
- severe mental illness;
- immunity of tissues to thyroid hormones;
- tumors;
- gestosis ;
- disorders of the central nervous system;
- Hashimoto's thyroiditis and others.
TTG is elevated - treatment
Therapy of this problem is based on negative feedback, which combines thyroid-stimulating hormone and thyroxine. To bring the situation back to normal will increase the plasma concentration of T4. When TSH is elevated, the endocrinologist prescribes taking medications with thyroxine content. Dosage, frequency of use and duration of treatment in women are calculated individually. Effective preparations:
- Bagotiroks;
- Tivoral;
- Euterox;
- Thyreotome;
- L-thyroxine and analogues.
A thyroid-stimulating hormone is lowered - what does it mean?
As in the case of an increase, a slight decrease in the amount of TSH is not yet a dangerous signal. In women, this problem sometimes occurs with fluctuations in the menstrual cycle. Low TSH as a variant of the norm is observed against the background of other factors:
- starvation or compliance with a strict diet for weight loss;
- taking drugs that suppress the thyroid gland;
- stress on the eve of the analysis;
- incorrect use of hormonal drugs.
TTG lowered - the reasons
If the level of the biological substance is significantly less than the norm, it is important to visit the doctor immediately. Diseases and pathological conditions in which thyroid-stimulating hormone is lowered:
- tumors of the thyroid gland;
- encephalitis;
- the Itenko-Cushing syndrome;
- meningitis;
- Grevs disease;
- Shihan syndrome;
- neoplasms in the pituitary gland;
- thyrotoxicosis;
- Plummer's syndrome;
- depression and others.
TTG is lowered - treatment
To normalize the content of thyrotropin in the blood plasma it is necessary to cope with the underlying disease and in parallel to apply synthetic hormones. The level of TSH can be increased by special drugs, which are prescribed only by an endocrinologist individually:
- Parasosin;
- Amiodarone;
- Methimazole;
- The ipodeyt;
- Erythrosine and analogues.
TTG in pregnancy
In future mothers, the endocrine system works differently, because the child's own hormones are not yet produced. From the gestation period and the number of embryos, the concentration of TSH - the norm in women preparing for the appearance of the baby (mIU / l) also depends:
- 1 trimester - up to 0.4;
- 2 trimester - 0,3-2,8;
- 3 trimester - up to 3,5.
Immediately after conception, a certain decrease in thyrotropin is characteristic. This is due to increased blood supply to the thyroid gland, which is why T3 and T4 production is activated. Against the backdrop of negative feedback, an increase in their concentration leads to suppression of the production of the described hormone. If there are several fetuses in the uterus, this indicator can be equal to zero, this state is considered a variant of the norm.
If TTG is elevated in pregnancy, it is necessary to pass the test again and visit the endocrinologist. A large amount of thyrotropin is dangerous for the child and often provokes complications of gestation, stopping the development of the embryo and miscarriages. To normalize the level of TSH in women preparing for maternity, special medications are prescribed:
- levothyroxine sodium;
- Bagotiroks;
- L-thyroxine;
- Tiro-4;
- L-Tirok and analogues.