What is an abnormal TSH level?
Abigail Rogers
Updated on March 02, 2026
A high TSH level—above 5.0 mU/L—indicates an underactive thyroid, also known as hypothyroidism. This means your body is not producing enough thyroid hormone.
What is normal thyroid level in female?
TSH levels chart
| Gender | Age | Normal |
|---|---|---|
| Male | 51-70 | 0.5-4.59 mIU/L |
| Male | 71-90 | 0.4-5.49 mIU/L |
| Female | 18-29 | 0.4-2.34 mIU/L |
| Female | 30-49 | 0.4-4.0 mIU/L |
What are symptoms of high TSH?
High TSH levels indicate hypothyroidism.
- fatigue.
- weight gain.
- swelling of the face and neck.
- increased sensitivity to cold temperatures.
- dry skin.
- thinning hair.
- a slow heart rate.
- irregular or heavy menstrual periods.
Does high TSH cause weight gain?
In one of the studies that had data for a single point in time, blood TSH levels were related to waist size and the ratio of waist to height sizes. For example, high blood TSH levels in this study (indicating a more underactive thyroid gland) were related to more weight gain.
What is the normal range for TSH?
TSH stands for Thyroid Stimulating Hormone– a standard blood test will produce a number of how well your thyroid is performing. Normal range for an adult is typically considered to be between .4 and 4.0 (1); however, in my practice I would say ideal is between 0.5 and 1.5.
What does it mean when your TSH level is low?
Occasionally, a low TSH may result from an abnormality in the pituitary gland, which prevents it from making enough TSH to stimulate the thyroid (central hypothyroidism). In most healthy individuals, a normal TSH value means that the thyroid is functioning properly.
How does the pituitary gland affect TSH levels?
The amount of TSH that the pituitary sends into the bloodstream depends on the amount of thyroid hormone in the body. Like a thermostat, if the pituitary sense low thyroid hormone, then it produces more TSH to tell the thyroid gland to produce more.
What is a normal total T3 level in an adult?
A normal Total T3 level in adults ranges from 80-220 ng/dL. Free T3 assays are often unreliable and not routinely used to assess thyroid function. What does it mean if my thyroid levels are abnormal? Patterns of thyroid tests associated with thyroid disease
