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Thyrotropin
Turnaround time is defined as the usual number of days from the date of pickup of a specimen for testing to when the result is released to the ordering provider. In some cases, additional time should be allowed for additional confirmatory or additional reflex tests. Testing schedules may vary.
Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) is also known as thyrotropin, a glycoprotein hormone produced by the anterior pituitary gland. It is the primary stimulus for thyroid hormone production by the thyroid gland and plays a crucial role in regulating thyroid function. The thyroid gland is a small, butterfly-shaped gland situated in the front of our neck. The thyroid gland produces hormones and controls various physiological processes, including metabolism, body temperature regulation, muscle strength, weight management, and mood.
This test measures thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels in the blood. TSH is a hormone that stimulates the thyroid gland to make other hormones such as thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3). Metabolism, or how the body consumes and stores energy, is controlled by T3 and T4. TSH is produced by the pituitary gland and acts on the thyroid gland by attaching to the TSH receptor. The pituitary gland is also called the “master gland” since it produces various hormones that influence other glands in the body. Too low or too high T3 and T4 hormone levels are detected by the pituitary gland. It will produce TSH in response, stimulating the thyroid gland to make the right amount of hormones.
If a thyroid is underactive, the TSH levels may be elevated as the pituitary gland tries to stimulate the thyroid to generate more T3 and T4. The TSH may be abnormally low if a thyroid is overactive because the pituitary gland stops producing TSH when the thyroid hormone levels are too high.
The TSH level checks if the thyroid gland is in proper working order. TSH is commonly assessed as part of a thyroid panel, including tests of thyroid hormones. Additional thyroid tests may be requested if TSH is checked alone, and the result is abnormal.
TSH testing can be used for a variety of reasons, including:
References:
Statement on Medical Necessity
All ordered tests should be medically necessary for the diagnosis or detection of disease, illness, impairment, symptom, syndrome, or disorder and the results should be used in the medical management and treatment decisions for the patient. Solaris requires ICD-10 codes with each order for lab testing and both the tests ordered and the diagnosis should be documented in the provider’s medical record for the patient. The United States Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General, takes the position that a provider who orders medically unnecessary tests may be subject to civil penalties.
Panels and Profiles
Solaris offers Providers the convenience of ordering test combinations in a group at times with the flexibility to choose appropriate test(s) for individual patients. Providers should only order those tests that he or she believes are medically necessary for each patient, and a lesser inclusive profile or individual tests should be ordered if not all tests in the test combination/profile are medically necessary. All tests offered in a test combination/profile may be ordered separately as individual tests. Solaris encourages clients to contact their Solaris representative if the testing configurations shown do not meet individual needs for any reason, or if some other combination of procedures is needed.
CPT Codes
CPT Codes listed are in accordance with Current Procedural Terminology, a publication of the American Medical Association. CPT codes are the responsibility of the billing party and are listed here for informational purposes. Correct coding may vary from one carrier to another. Solaris may bill specific carriers using codes other than what is shown.
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