This assay is intended for the quantitative determination of Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH) in human serum and plasma. TSH is a glycoprotein hormone composed of two subunits, with the β-subunit providing TSH-specific immunological and biological activity, while the α-subunit is shared with LH, FSH, and hCG. It is produced by basophil cells in the anterior pituitary and follows a circadian secretion pattern. TSH plays a key regulatory role in thyroid hormone synthesis and secretion and also has a proliferative effect on thyroid cells. Because even minor changes in free thyroid hormone levels cause significant shifts in TSH levels, TSH measurement is a highly sensitive and specific tool for evaluating thyroid function. It is especially valuable for early detection or exclusion of dysfunctions in the regulatory axis between the hypothalamus, pituitary, and thyroid.
