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TSH

Meaning

TSH is the authoritative abbreviation for Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone, a glycoprotein hormone synthesized and secreted by the anterior pituitary gland, which is centrally located at the base of the brain. TSH is the principal and most powerful regulator of the thyroid gland, controlling the entire process of synthesis and subsequent release of the critical thyroid hormones, thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3). Clinically, measuring circulating TSH levels is the foundational and most widely utilized diagnostic test for accurately assessing overall thyroid function and diagnosing conditions like primary hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism.