Definition
If the thyroid gland values measured in the blood are too high, there is usually a disorder of the thyroid gland function. If the thyroid hormones (T3 and T4) are too high, it is an overfunctioning of the thyroid gland, which leads to corresponding symptoms, such as tremors, restlessness or palpitations. If, on the other hand, the thyroid control hormone (TSH) is elevated, there is in most cases an underfunction to which the body reacts with an increased TSH release.
Possible symptoms are weight gain, constipation and fatigue. However, elevated thyroid levels may also not be associated with any symptoms. The causes of elevated thyroid levels can be very different and are usually due to a disease of the organ.
Causes for too high thyroid gland values
If the thyroid hormones T3 and T4 (thyroxine) are too high when thyroid levels are elevated, two different diseases are possible as causes. Often it is a so-called thyroid autonomy. There are areas of the thyroid gland that produce thyroid hormones uninhibited and detached from the control of the hormone regulatory circuit, and are thus responsible for the elevated blood levels and hyperactivity.
Another disease that is often based on elevated thyroid gland values is the so-called Graves’ disease. This is an autoimmune disease of the thyroid gland. This means that the body produces specific proteins (antibodies) that act on the thyroid gland.
These cause the thyroid gland to increase the production of T3 and thyroxine, thus causing an increase in thyroid levels. In addition, in some cases, the eyes also protrude, as the antibodies can accumulate in the connective tissue of the eye socket. On the other hand, an increase in thyroid gland value TSH is usually associated with completely different diseases, which are usually accompanied by hypofunction (and thus too low T3 and thyroxine values). Frequently, this is also an autoimmune disease, which, however, leads to a reduced thyroid function and is called Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. In addition to various other causes, a lack of the trace element iodine can lead to increased TSH levels.
