TSH is the Thyroid Stimulatin Hormone. It's produced in the Pituitary Gland and stimulates the production and secretion of hormones by the thyroid gland. The TSH is high, it indicates the thyroid is underactive (hypothyroid) and needing more stimulation, so therefore the TSH is high. When TSH is high, it is working heavy duty to get the thyroid to produce because it is not producing what is needed. So thyroid replacement is prescribed so that you can maintain a constant level.

Hypothyroidism, too little thyroid hormone, can cause slow pulse, hoarse voice, slowed speech, puffy face (I notice it in my eyelids), loss of eyebrows, drooping eyelids, intolerance to colds, constipation, depression, weight gain, sparse coarse dry hair, dry scaly thick coarse skin; raised thickened skin over shins, carpal tunnel, confusion, dementia, dull facial expression. * Keep in mind that's a list of possible symptoms, not that one will experience all of these symtpoms.

Thyroid replacement is the treatment. The dosage of thyroid replacement is often started low and increased in response to test results until the TSH falls in the normal range: .35 to 5.50 (the newest reference range). It is well accepted that women feel much better at the lower range. A male can feel and function well at 5 but a woman will feel better much closer to 3; some even prefer to attain an even lower level.

I hope this helps. Keep talking to your doctor(s) so you understand your body, what your doctor(s) are doing, and what to expect.