TSH Schilddrüse: when to see a doctor?

TSH (thyroid-stimulating hormone) is a sensitive marker of thyroid function, but an abnormal value alone is not diagnostic. When to see a doctor: If TSH falls outside the lab-specific reference range (typically 0.4–4.0 mU/L, varying by lab and age), or if borderline values are accompanied by symptoms such as fatigue, weight changes, palpitations, or cold intolerance. Stricter targets apply during pregnancy (e.g., TSH <2.5 mU/L in the first trimester) or when planning conception. A single elevated TSH may be due to stress, medications, or lab error; repeat testing after 6–12 weeks is reasonable. Markedly elevated TSH (>10 mU/L) or suppressed TSH (<0.1 mU/L) warrants prompt medical evaluation. Note: Over-the-counter self-tests are screening tools, not diagnostic. Evidence is based on clinical guidelines (e.g., ATA, ETA). Caveat: Genetic tests like MyBody-X cannot diagnose thyroid disease; TSH is measured in blood, not via DNA.