Thyroid Stimulating Hormone: What You & Your Doctor Should Know

Thyroid stimulating hormone, also known as TSH, is a pituitary hormone that stimulates your thyroid gland to produce T4 (thyroxine) and T3 (triiodothyronine). These are hormones that stimulate your metabolism as well as other major tissues in your body.

Typically, if you're having symptoms of fatigue, increased sensitivity to cold, dry skin, depression, impaired memory, muscle aches, unexplained weight gain, high cholesterol levels, slowed heart rate and thinning of your hair, your doctor might suggest getting a TSH test.

According to an article posted on Functional Medicine University, many labs are misleading physicians by using outdated ranges of normal TSH levels, which is preventing doctors from giving the proper care (and the most effective thyroid treatment) to their patients.

Holly Lucille, ND, RN, shares what TSH is and how you can get tested properly if you're feeling symptoms of an underactive thyroid.