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Thyrotropic hormone in the blood of newborns (test for congenital hypothyroidism)

Alexey Portnov, medical expert
Last reviewed: 19.11.2021

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Congenital hypothyroidism may be due to aplasia or hypoplasia of the thyroid gland in newborns, a deficiency of enzymes involved in the biosynthesis of thyroid hormones, and a deficiency or excess of iodine during intrauterine development. The cause may be the effect of radionuclides of iodine, since from 10-12 weeks of intrauterine development the thyroid gland of the fetus begins to accumulate iodine. Clinical manifestations of congenital hypothyroidism include a large body weight of the newborn; puffiness of hands, feet, face, dense skin; hypothermia; weak sucking reflex; intensive weight gain.

Reference values (norm) of the concentration of thyroid-stimulating hormone in the blood of newborns

Age	The level of neonatal TSH, mU / l
Newborn	<20
1st day	11.6-35.9
2 nd day	8.3-19.8
Day 3	1.0-10.9
4-6th day	1.2-5.8

If you suspect a congenital hypothyroidism, the thyroid-stimulating hormone is determined on the 4th-5th day after birth. An increase in the level of thyroid-stimulating hormone is considered an indication for treatment with thyroid hormones. Treatment begins no later than the 5th-17th day after birth. The adequacy of the dose of drugs is controlled by the concentration of cT ₄ and thyroid-stimulating hormone.

If hypothyroidism is combined with chronic insufficiency of the adrenal cortex, correction of corticosteroids and careful selection of thyroid hormone doses are necessary to avoid an adrenal crisis.

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