Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) makes sure your thyroid gland functions well, and if it goes up or down, it can cause issues. This gland is caused to generate two kinds of hormones, which are triiodothyronine and thyroxin. Triiodothyronine is known as T3 and thyroxine called T4. These two hormones control the metabolism of your body, and if these hormones fluctuate, you can experience certain ailments.

You need a blood test to check if you have a normal TSH level.

What’s more, in the case of infants as well, both T3 and T4 are responsible for body growth and brain development. So, it goes without saying that a normal TSH level is of utmost importance. If you have low TSH, the thyroid hormone level in your blood is extreme, and a deficiency of thyroid hormone is indicated by a high level of TSH.

Symptoms of an underactive thyroid gland

• Lack of energy
• Weakness
• Weight gain
• Constipation
• Dry skin
• Cold feeling
• Menstrual period on frequent basis

Symptoms of an overactive thyroid gland

• Loss of weight
• Faster heart rate
• Diarrhea
• Nervousness
• Feeling of excessive heat
• Irregular menstrual periods

Factors that influence TSH levels
Factors like heredity, swelling of thyroid gland, inappropriate (less or excessive)iodine intake in the diet, exposure to radiation, pregnancy, thyroid cancer, some medications like drugs for reducing cholesterol, steroids, antidepressants, chemotherapy, steroids, etc. can disturb your normal TSH levels. Hence, it is important that you consider your lifestyle before analyzing your TSH score. Furthermore, once you realize the problem, alter your lifestyle, take the required medication to make sure you’re on the right track and get back to your normal level of TSH.

What is the normal level of TSH?
If you are an adult, then the normal TSH level range for you is between 0.4-4.0 mlU/L (milli-international units per liter). If the level is 2.5 or less is considered fine. However, a reference range of 2.5 to 4.0 mIU/L can show a possibility of a health risk. This can change as you grow older, as the normal TSH levels differ in persons according to age. The levels are different for children, adults between 21 to 54 years and 55 to 87 years with reference range like 0.4‑4.2 mIU/L and 0.5‑8.9 mIU/L.

Ways to prevent fluctuation
To avoid a fluctuation in your TSH level, you need to make sure that you’re following a healthy diet, as they say, prevention is better than cure. Remember, it is advisable to consult a doctor or a health expert if you do not have normal TSH levels. You’re likely to have the risk of hypothyroidism if you have high levels of TSH with a natural function of the thyroid. This goes for children as well. As a parent, you need to look for the symptoms and make sure you check your little one’s thyroid level to avoid any health risk and take the necessary precautions.

Make changes in your diet
Ideally, you should be checking with your doctor for the right diet. Because often, people are already on medication and they cannot consume more tablets as it can interfere with their health further, and make their case worse. But, whenever you’re buying something from the market, make sure you read the labels, because, many a time, food products have soy in it, and that’s the first thing you need to avoid. Cauliflower, cabbage, broccoli, mustard, and turnips are the veggies that you can take off from my diet when you’re trying to come back to the normal TSH level. Look for fruits and veggies that are goitrogenic, as you should avoid these as well, like strawberries, peanuts, radish, spinach, and millet. Also, if you are suffering from hypothyroidism, then you must steer clear of iodine-enriched food items as well.

Exercise can help
Your weight can dictate your thyroid issue. You might think you’re gaining weight because of it, but remember it only started because your weight was on an extreme. So, it’s always better to exercise and make sure that the problem doesn’t become bigger, particularly if you are overweight and are a hypothyroid patient. Many weight loss programs can help you reduce certain weight in a specific time so that you gain a normal TSH level sooner.

Maintain a healthy lifestyle
You need to kick all your addictions to keep thyroid problems at bay. Alcohol and cigarette inject toxins into the body and damage the thyroid cells as well. Addictions like these will make it tougher for you to get a normal TSH level.It’s always better to change your lifestyle and make sure that you follow a healthy lifestyle to combat your weight-related problems. Also, many of us lead a stressful life. When dealing with a health issue, it is recommended that you take the load off, and follow an alternative lifestyle that comprises everything that can cure your illness.