Thyroid-stimulating hormone

Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) is a glycoprotein hormone released by the anterior pituitary. It stimulates thyroid growth and the synthesis and release of thyroxine and triiodothyronine.

Thyrotropin-releasing hormone: A hypothalamic peptide hormone that stimulates the anterior pituitary to release TSH. It provides the principal hypothalamic signal that prompts pituitary TSH secretion.
Thyroid function tests: Laboratory tests that assess thyroid activity using measurements such as TSH and circulating thyroid hormones. TSH is commonly interpreted alongside thyroid hormone levels to assess gland function.
Glycoprotein hormone: A protein hormone bearing carbohydrate groups that influence its stability, activity, or circulation. TSH belongs to this hormone class and carries carbohydrate chains.
Thyroid-stimulating immunoglobulin: An autoantibody that activates the TSH receptor and can drive thyroid hormone overproduction. It stimulates the same receptor as TSH without being a pituitary hormone.
TSH receptor: A cell-surface receptor on thyroid follicular cells that binds TSH and activates intracellular signaling. Binding to this receptor initiates TSH’s effects on thyroid growth and hormone synthesis.
Thyrotropin-releasing hormone stimulation test: A test that measures pituitary TSH response after administration of thyrotropin-releasing hormone. The response can help distinguish some causes of abnormal TSH secretion.
Anterior pituitary: The front lobe of the pituitary gland, which secretes hormones including TSH. It is the endocrine tissue that releases TSH into the circulation.
Human chorionic gonadotropin: A placental glycoprotein hormone that supports pregnancy and can weakly activate the TSH receptor. Its receptor cross-activity can affect thyroid function and TSH levels during pregnancy.
Thyroid hormone synthesis: The biochemical process that produces thyroxine and triiodothyronine in thyroid follicular cells. TSH stimulates the steps that build and release these hormones.
Subclinical hypothyroidism: A biochemical state with elevated TSH and thyroid hormone levels within their reference ranges. An elevated TSH can reveal early thyroid underactivity before hormone levels fall.

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