Quick answer
The TSH Test costs ₹300 at Live Line Health Care. A single-hormone blood test used for a routine thyroid check, or to confirm that a stable thyroid tablet dose is still right. No fasting is needed. It uses a blood sample and the report is usually ready the same day.
Also known as: Thyroid Stimulating Hormone, Serum TSH, S. TSH, TSH Level, Thyrotropin, Ultrasensitive TSH, TSH 3rd Generation
What is the TSH Test?
The TSH test measures one hormone, thyroid stimulating hormone, which the pituitary gland at the base of the brain releases to tell the thyroid how hard to work. When thyroid hormone in the blood falls, the pituitary pushes TSH up. When thyroid hormone runs high, TSH drops, often to very low levels. Because this feedback is so sensitive, TSH usually changes before T3 or T4 move outside their ranges, which is why it works well as a single first look.
This test is the right choice when you feel well and want a routine check, or when you already take a steady dose of levothyroxine and your doctor only needs to confirm that the dose still suits you. The full Thyroid Profile (T3, T4, TSH) is the better booking if you have symptoms for the first time, if an earlier TSH was abnormal, if an overactive thyroid is suspected, or if you have a pituitary condition, because TSH alone cannot show how much thyroid hormone is actually circulating.
What it measures: The amount of thyroid stimulating hormone in blood, reported in µIU/mL. TSH is made by the pituitary gland, not the thyroid, so it reflects the signal sent to the thyroid rather than the thyroid hormones themselves.
Parameters included (1)
- TSH (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone)
Why is this test done?
- Routine thyroid screening in an adult without clear symptoms
- Checking a stable levothyroxine dose, usually every 6 to 12 months
- Rechecking 6 to 8 weeks after a change in thyroid tablet dose
- Repeating a mildly abnormal TSH after 2 to 3 months to see whether it has settled
- Checking thyroid status before starting medicines that can affect it, such as amiodarone or lithium
When should you get tested?
- You feel well but have a family history of thyroid disease
- You take a thyroid tablet and your dose changed 6 to 8 weeks ago
- You are planning a pregnancy or are newly pregnant
- You have type 1 diabetes or another autoimmune condition, which raises thyroid risk
- You are over 35 and have not had a thyroid check in the last 5 years
- Palpitations, tremors, a neck swelling or marked weight change are reasons to choose the full profile instead
How to prepare for the TSH Test
- 1No fasting is required, so you can eat and drink normally.
- 2If you take a thyroid tablet, give the sample before that day’s dose and take the tablet right after, unless your doctor says otherwise.
- 3Test at about the same time of day as your last TSH. TSH is highest at night and lower by afternoon, so timing matters when comparing two reports.
- 4If you take biotin (vitamin B7) or a hair and nail supplement containing it, ask your doctor about stopping it 2 to 3 days before, as it can affect the result.
TSH Test normal range
| Parameter | Typical reference range |
|---|---|
| Adults | 0.4–4.5 µIU/mL |
| Adults over 70 | Upper limit can be higher, about 6–7 µIU/mL |
| Pregnancy, first trimester | Lower limit about 0.1 µIU/mL, upper limit about 2.5–4.0 µIU/mL |
| Pregnancy, second and third trimester | Upper limit about 3.0–4.0 µIU/mL |
µIU/mL and mIU/L mean the same number. Pregnancy limits differ between guidelines and labs, so your obstetrician decides which one applies to you. Ranges are typical adult values and vary between labs, age and sex. Always use the range printed on your report and discuss results with your doctor.
Understanding your results
- A TSH above the range usually points to an underactive thyroid, and a TSH below it usually points to an overactive one. The next step is to measure T4, plus T3 if TSH is low, to see how far thyroid hormone itself has moved.
- A TSH between about 4.5 and 10 µIU/mL with a normal T4 is called subclinical hypothyroidism. Doctors often repeat it after 2 to 3 months, as it can settle on its own. Above 10 µIU/mL, treatment is usually discussed.
- A normal TSH on a stable tablet dose usually means the dose suits you. In the first weeks to months after treatment for an overactive thyroid, though, TSH can stay low, so it is not reliable on its own at that stage.
- TSH can mislead in pituitary disease, where it may look normal or low even when T4 is low. It can also shift for a while during or after a serious illness, or with steroid medicines.
Health packages that include this test
The TSH Test is included in these full body checkups:
Book the TSH Test in your city
Same price at all 45 centres. Choose your city for local centres and timings.
Telangana
TSH Test – FAQs
What is the price of the TSH Test?
The TSH Test costs ₹300 at Live Line Health Care, at all 45 centres and for home sample collection.
Is a TSH test enough, or do I need the full thyroid profile?
TSH alone is usually enough for a routine check or to confirm a stable tablet dose. Choose the full Thyroid Profile if you have new symptoms, an abnormal earlier TSH or a suspected overactive thyroid, since T3 and T4 show how much hormone is circulating.
What does a high TSH level mean?
A high TSH usually means the pituitary is pushing an underactive thyroid to work harder. A mild rise can be temporary, for example after an illness, so doctors often repeat it with T4 before deciding anything. Please discuss the result with your doctor rather than changing any medicine yourself.
What does a low TSH level mean?
A low TSH often means too much thyroid hormone, from an overactive thyroid or a thyroid dose that is higher than you need. Early pregnancy, steroid medicines and serious illness can also lower it. Your doctor will usually add T3 and T4 to find out which applies.
How often should TSH be checked if I take a thyroid tablet?
TSH takes about 6 weeks to settle after a dose change, so it is usually rechecked 6 to 8 weeks later. Once the dose is stable, most doctors ask for a check every 6 to 12 months, or sooner if you become pregnant or feel unwell.
Can I eat before a TSH test?
Yes. No fasting is needed for a TSH test. Research suggests a meal can lower TSH slightly, so if you are tracking your level over time, try to give each sample at a similar time of day and under similar conditions.
Why is TSH checked in early pregnancy?
The baby depends on the mother’s thyroid hormone in early pregnancy, particularly for brain development, and the need for thyroid hormone rises quickly. TSH limits are different at this stage, so ask your obstetrician to read the result rather than using the ordinary adult range.
Where can I get the TSH Test done?
At any of our 45 Live Line Health Care centres in 40 cities across Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, including Hyderabad, Visakhapatnam, Warangal, Kakinada and Nellore, or book home sample collection.
Medical disclaimer: This information is for general awareness only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult a qualified doctor to interpret your results and before starting or changing any treatment.