What Is a High TSH Level?
TSH stimulates the production of thyroid hormone, which is critical for regulating metabolism and maintaining healthy muscles and joints. Guidelines for what is considered a normal TSH range have changed over the years. In their 2003 guidelines, the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists recommended decreasing the upper normal TSH level from 5.0 to 3.0, and suggested normal TSH ranges, with thyroid hormone treatment, should run between 0.3-3.0 (www.aace.com, March 2003). In some cases, even “normal” TSH levels around 2.5 do not rule out thyroid failure if the patient is also experiencing multiple symptoms of thyroid deficiency. An elevated TSH level by itself is not enough to diagnose hypothyroidism, but a combination of high TSH and physical symptoms may indicate hypothyroidism.
