Thyroid-stimulating hormone facts for kids

Thyroid-stimulating hormone (also called thyrotropin or TSH) is a special messenger chemical in your body. It tells your thyroid gland what to do.

The thyroid gland is a small, butterfly-shaped gland in your neck. It makes important chemicals called thyroid hormones. These hormones are like the speed controllers for your body's engine. They control how fast your body uses energy and how quickly its chemical jobs happen. This is called your metabolic rate.

Thyroid hormones do two main things:

• They help almost every part of your body make proteins. Proteins are like building blocks for your body.
• They make your cells use more oxygen. Oxygen is needed for cells to create energy.

Because of these jobs, thyroid hormones affect many important body functions, from how much energy you have to how your body grows.

TSH is a type of hormone called a glycoprotein. This means it's made of both sugar and protein. It is made and released by tiny cells called thyrotrope cells. These cells are found in a small gland at the base of your brain called the anterior pituitary gland. The pituitary gland acts like the main control center, making sure your thyroid gland works just right.

What is TSH and What Does It Do?

TSH stands for Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone. It's a key hormone that helps keep your body's energy levels balanced. Think of it as a signal that travels from your brain to your thyroid gland.

How TSH Controls Your Thyroid

Your pituitary gland constantly checks how much thyroid hormone is in your blood.

• If there's not enough thyroid hormone, the pituitary gland sends out more TSH. This tells your thyroid to work harder and make more hormones.
• If there's too much thyroid hormone, the pituitary gland sends out less TSH. This tells your thyroid to slow down.

This system helps keep your body's metabolism steady.

Why TSH is Important for Your Body

TSH plays a vital role in making sure your thyroid gland produces the right amount of hormones. These hormones are essential for many parts of your health.

Energy and Growth

Thyroid hormones help control your energy levels. They influence how quickly your body burns calories and how warm you feel. They are also very important for growth and development, especially in children and teenagers.

Brain and Heart Health

These hormones also affect how your brain works, helping with focus and mood. They even play a part in keeping your heart healthy and beating at the right pace.

How Doctors Check TSH Levels

Doctors can measure the amount of TSH in your blood with a simple blood test. This test helps them understand if your thyroid gland is working correctly.

What High or Low TSH Means

• High TSH: If your TSH levels are high, it often means your thyroid gland isn't making enough thyroid hormones. Your pituitary gland is sending out more TSH to try and get the thyroid to work harder.
• Low TSH: If your TSH levels are low, it usually means your thyroid gland is making too many thyroid hormones. Your pituitary gland is sending out less TSH to try and slow the thyroid down.

Checking TSH levels is a common way for doctors to find out if someone has a thyroid problem.