Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH), Cord Blood
About Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH), Cord Blood
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Also Known As | Cord Blood TSH, Umbilical Cord Blood TSH, CBTSH, Neonatal TSH Screening |
| Sample Type | Serum (cord blood collected at birth) |
| Fasting Required | No (not applicable for newborns) |
| Report Time | 1 Day |
| Recommended For | All newborns at birth |
| Price | Starting at ₹300 |
What Is a Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH), Cord Blood?
The thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), cord blood test is a newborn screening test performed immediately after delivery. It measures TSH levels in the blood drawn from the umbilical cord to check whether a baby's thyroid gland is working properly. The test is also known as Cord Blood TSH or Neonatal TSH Screening. It is one of the most important routine checks carried out at birth.
What Does a Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH), Cord Blood Measure?
This test measures a single hormone that plays a central role in a newborn's early development. The table below explains what is measured and why it matters.
| Parameter | What It Is | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| TSH (Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone) | A hormone produced by the pituitary gland (a small gland at the base of the brain) | Signals the thyroid gland to produce hormones essential for brain development in newborns |
Why Is a Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone (TSH), Cord Blood Done?
This test is part of routine newborn care and is recommended for all babies at birth. It helps identify thyroid problems early, before any symptoms become apparent.
Common Symptoms That May Require This Test
Most newborns with thyroid problems show no obvious signs at birth. However, a doctor may pay closer attention to the results in babies showing any of the following:
- Unusual sleepiness or difficulty staying awake (lethargy)
- Weak muscle tone (the baby feels "floppy")
- Difficulty feeding or very poor feeding
- Prolonged jaundice (yellowing of the skin lasting beyond the usual newborn period)
- Soft spots on the head that are unusually large
- A weak or hoarse cry
- Low body temperature or persistent constipation
Conditions This Test Can Help Detect
The cord blood TSH test is specifically designed to identify thyroid-related conditions in newborns. These include:
- Congenital hypothyroidism is a condition where a baby is born with an underactive thyroid gland
- Thyroid dysgenesis, where the thyroid gland has not developed properly before birth
- Abnormalities in the way the thyroid gland produces its hormones
How to Prepare and What to Expect
This test does not require any preparation on the part of the baby or the parents. The sample is collected by the medical team as a standard part of the delivery process.
Do You Need to Fast?
No fasting is required. This test is performed on the newborn's cord blood and does not apply to fasting guidelines in the conventional sense.
Practical Tips Before Your Test
While no special preparation is needed, keeping the following in mind is helpful:
- Inform the medical team if you are on thyroid medication, as this may be relevant to interpreting the results
- Bring a detailed clinical history, including your symptoms, previous test results, and family history, as this is required for the test
- The mother does not need to do anything beyond the normal birthing process
- The test is conducted by trained hospital staff immediately after delivery
Step-by-Step Procedure
The sample collection is quick and causes no discomfort to the newborn or the mother. Here is how it works:
- Immediately after the baby is born, the umbilical cord is clamped and cut in the usual manner.
- A second clamp is placed about 20 to 25 centimetres away from the first clamp.
- A small blood sample is drawn from the section of cord between the two clamps using a syringe.
- The sample is collected into a sterile SST gel tube and labelled carefully.
- It is stored under refrigeration (2 to 8°C) to preserve its quality during transport to the laboratory.
- The sample is analysed in the laboratory using an EIA (enzyme immunoassay) method, and the report is ready within 1 day.
Factors That Can Affect Accuracy
Several factors can influence cord blood TSH readings. The doctor will consider these when reviewing results:
- Mode of delivery (assisted vaginal delivery may result in higher TSH values than elective caesarean section)
- Birth asphyxia or foetal distress during labour
- Low Apgar scores (a measure of a newborn's health at birth) or the need for resuscitation after delivery
- Gestational age (premature babies or those with low birth weight may show different readings)
- Maternal factors such as age, anaemia, and thyroid health during pregnancy
Understanding Your Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH), Cord Blood Results
Results from a TSH cord blood test must always be reviewed by a paediatrician or neonatologist. The table below shows the general reference ranges used in clinical practice.
| Result Category | Cord Blood TSH Value | Interpretation |
|---|---|---|
| Normal | Less than 21 µIU/mL | Within the expected range |
| Borderline | 13 to 20 µIU/mL | Warrants careful follow-up |
| Abnormal (requires recall) | Greater than 20 µIU/mL | Repeat serum TSH test recommended within 14 days |
| Urgent follow-up | Greater than 40 µIU/mL | Immediate confirmatory thyroid hormone testing required |
These ranges are general guidelines. Your doctor will interpret your results based on your baby's age, health history, and other factors. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for personalised medical advice.
Results During Special Conditions
Certain circumstances at and around the time of birth can affect thyroid-stimulating hormone readings. A doctor will account for these when assessing the results.
Babies born through difficult deliveries or those who experienced distress during labour tend to have higher cord TSH values. Premature babies and those with low birth weight may also produce results that differ from standard reference ranges, and their results require careful specialist interpretation.
How to Maintain Healthy Levels
These tips are general wellness points for parents and expectant mothers, not medical treatment guidance:
- Ensure adequate iodine intake during pregnancy to support the baby's thyroid development in the womb
- Follow up promptly if the medical team recommends a repeat TSH test after the initial screening
- Attend all scheduled postnatal check-ups so that any borderline results can be monitored appropriately
Lupin Diagnostics Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH), Cord Blood Price
The TSH test cost at Lupin Diagnostics starts at ₹300. This test requires cord blood collection immediately after delivery in a hospital or birthing facility, and home collection is not available.
| City | Approximate Price (₹) |
|---|---|
| BHOPAL | 330 |
| CHENNAI | 300 |
| HYDERABAD | 300 |
| KOLKATA | 300 |
| NAVI MUMBAI | 300 |
| PUNE | 300 |
Prices are indicative and may vary by location. Please confirm the current price at the time of booking.
How to Book
Follow these steps to arrange this test through Lupin Diagnostics:
- Select the test on the Lupin Diagnostics website.
- Choose your city and preferred centre location.
- Visit the centre at your scheduled time for sample collection.
- Receive your report via email or WhatsApp within the stipulated turnaround time.
Frequently Asked Questions
The thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), cord blood test screens newborns for congenital hypothyroidism, a condition in which the thyroid gland is underactive from birth. Detecting this early allows doctors to begin treatment promptly and protect the baby's brain development.
The sample is collected right after the baby is born, at the moment the umbilical cord is clamped and cut. This makes it a seamless part of routine delivery care, requiring no additional steps from the parents.
A result above 20 µIU/mL is considered abnormal and typically requires a repeat serum TSH test within 14 days of birth. If TSH levels remain elevated after retesting, the doctor will proceed with confirmatory thyroid hormone testing. An elevated result alone is not a final diagnosis.
No. The cord blood TSH test has a relatively high rate of borderline or elevated results that do not turn out to be true congenital hypothyroidism. Confirmatory testing is always required before any diagnosis is made.
Thyroid hormones are critical for brain development in the first weeks and months of life. Congenital hypothyroidism, if left undetected and untreated, can lead to irreversible neurological problems. Early screening allows doctors to intervene at the right time.
The blood is drawn from the umbilical cord itself, not from the baby's body. The cord has no nerve supply, so the process causes no pain or discomfort to the newborn. It takes only a few moments as part of routine post-delivery care.
Yes, you can book this test through the Lupin Diagnostics website. However, because the sample must be collected at the time of delivery in a clinical setting, please coordinate with your hospital team and confirm the booking details with Lupin Diagnostics in advance.
Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH), Cord Blood: Booking, Price, and Results
