Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone (TSH)

Thyrotropin, TSH (Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone)

What Affects the Test

Reasons you may not be able to have the test or why the results may not be helpful include:

• Taking medicine, such as corticosteroids, levodopa, heparin, dopamine, lithium (such as Carbolith, Duralith, or Lithane), methimazole (Tapazole), and propylthiouracil.
• Having had a recent X-ray with iodine dye or test using radioactive materials.
• Having severe stress or a long-term (chronic) illness.
• Pregnancy during the first trimester.

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Author:	Sydney Youngerman-Cole, RN, BSN, RNC	Last Updated: July 26, 2006
Medical Review:	Caroline S. Rhoads, MD - Internal Medicine Matthew I. Kim, MD - Endocrinology & Metabolism
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