Although undergoing a blood test can be a routine thing, nevertheless, a single blood test report can indicate and be the starting point of different things which as a patient you must be aware about. This port gives you an overview on understanding the tsh blood test and along with that giving a brief reference to some other blood tests like the mchc blood test, mcv blood test as well as the esr blood test and the purpose for which these tests are taken.
In the medical field, different connotations mean and imply different things. However, even as a layman you should know when your doctor tells you to undergo a test, to be aware that what does the test which you have been asked to undergo stand for.
TSH Blood Test
TSH stands for thyroid stimulating hormone. The basic purpose for undergoing this test is to ascertain if your thyroid gland is functioning properly or whether it under performing or performing over above its required levels. This test is also done as a precautionary measure to know if there are any chances of you contracting any disorder relating to thyroid. This hormone is secreted by the pituitary gland located in your brain and releases the thyroid hormones into your blood. Unlike in most of the other blood tests, this test does not require any fasting.
Understanding the medically approved standards
In order to understand whether you are suffering from excess of this hormone or the lack of it, medically known and referred to as hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism, then it will be worthwhile to first understand the medically acceptable standards. As per the American Thyroid Association, the normal range of this can be in between 0.5 to 2.0 milli international units per liter. However, even if there is a slight variation in this, it is absolutely fine since the tsh levels in the body keep fluctuating and can be lower during the day and higher at night.
Now the results..
Now that you have understood the purpose of undergoing a tsh blood test and the acceptable standards, the nest important thing which you should know and make a note of are the results of this test. If your report indicates that your tsh levels fall above the standards, then this means that the hormone is not performing up to the mark. On the other hand, if your levels are below the requisite levels, then this indicates that the hormones due to a hyperactive thyroid gland. Apart from the tsh blood test, there are some other tests also like the T3, T4, the reverse T3, as well as the anti-TPO antibody which are also suggested by the doctor to check your thyroid levels.
Other tests
Apart from tsh test, there are some other tests like MCHC test which stands for ‘Mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration’ which helps in disclosing the hemoglobin level in every single red blood cell; MCV blood test or mean corpuscular volume test gives a complete headcount of the red blood cells; while ESR blood test helps in diagnosing the presence of any inflammatory activity in your body.
Although majority of the pathological labs offer these tests, but if there is one reputed lab which is known for its fast and accurate results, then it has got to be Dr Lalchandani Labs which offer the industry best results at affordable rates.