Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH)

Tube Type = Mint Green Top

Tube Type

Test ID LAB129
EPIC Order
 TSH
CPT Code(s) 84443
Group/Individual Test Individual
Laboratory Core Laboratory
Tube Station Routine: 30; STAT: 888
Specimen Routine: 4 mL blood/green lithium heparin gel tube. Also acceptable gold SST tube or  red plain tube
Micro: 0.9 mL blood/mint green top bullet/gold top/red top
Stability
Unspun: 8 hours
Spun/separated, Room Temperature:24 hours
Spun/separated, Refrigerator: 48 hours
Spun/separated, Frozen: 14 days
Availability Routine: 24 hrs/day
STAT: Yes
Turnaround Time 2 hrs
Reference Range Normal:
TSH
Age Range (µIU/mL)
0 - 1 months Undefined
1 - 23 months 0.87-6.15
23 months - 12 years 0.67-4.16
12 - 20 years 0.48-4.17
>20 years 0.55-4.78

Reference Ranges effective 7/13/2021
Comments
  • Testing is performed using Siemens Atellica TSH3-UL Assay.  Different test methods should not be used interchangeably.  Heterophilic antibodies may cause interference.  
  • Alternate testing method is recommended when fluorescein angiography has been performed within 48 hours of sample collection due to potential interference from fluorescein.
  • Rare genetic variants may exhibit varying degrees of detection.

Reviewed by J. Carr on January 02, 2026

UNC Hospitals
McLendon Clinical Laboratories
101 Manning Drive
Chapel Hill, NC 27514