Thyroid Stimulating Hormone
3033
cpt
normal turn-around time
assays included
specimen type
minimum required
TSH
84443
24 hours
TSH
Serum or Plasma
1 mL of serum or heparinized plasma
collection instructions
Collect blood in a serum separator tube (SST), lithium heparin tube, EDTA tube.
Allow the blood to clot at room temperature for 30 minutes if using an SST.
Centrifuge and separate serum or plasma from cells within 2 hours of collection.
Transport the specimen at 2-8°C if not tested within 2 hours.
collection instructions
Hemolysis: Red blood cell destruction can falsely increase glucose levels.
Improper Labeling: Specimen must be labeled with at least two patient identifiers.
Insufficient Quantity: Volume less than 1 mL may not be sufficient for accurate testing.
Lipemia: Excessive fat in the blood can interfere with certain test results.
clinical significance
The TSH test measures the level of Thyroid Stimulating Hormone, which is produced by the pituitary gland. TSH regulates the production and release of thyroid hormones (T3 and T4) from the thyroid gland. Abnormal TSH levels can indicate thyroid dysfunction, such as hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid) or hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid). This test is essential for diagnosing thyroid disorders and monitoring thyroid hormone replacement therapy.