Is TSH Schilddrüse useful for Stress?

TSH (thyroid-stimulating hormone) is primarily used to assess thyroid function, not directly for stress. However, chronic stress can affect the thyroid axis via the HPA axis: elevated cortisol may suppress TSH secretion or impair T4-to-T3 conversion. Studies show moderate associations between stress and altered TSH levels, but effects are individual and not diagnostic for stress. A normal TSH does not rule out stress-related symptoms. For stress assessment, cortisol (saliva, hair) or validated questionnaires are more appropriate. Evidence is human-moderate based on observational studies. Caveat: TSH alone is not a stress marker; thyroid disorders must be ruled out.