Higher levels of thyrotropin in pregnancy and adverse pregnancy outcomes

Objective: To determine the frequency of subclinical hypothyroidism in women with pathological pregnancies and the association between elevated thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and pregnancy outcome.

Subjects and methods: A cross-sectional prospective study investigated value of TSH and free thyroxine (FT4) in (1) pregnant women with hypertension (HTA) (N?=?62) or preeclampsia (PE) (N?=?50), (2) women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) (N?=?92) in pregnancy, and (3) women with normal pregnancies (control) (N?=?201). The level of statistical significance was set at p?Results: Of the total 404 respondents, the highest incidence of subclinical hypothyroidism was in the group with preeclampsia 22%, followed HTA group 9.6%; GDM group 10.9% and in the control group 9% (p?p?3?mIU/L (p?=?.003). There were no differences in the average TSH value between GDM (1.93?±?1.03?mIU/L) and control group (p?=?.962).

Conclusions: Early detection and optimal treatment of thyroid dysfunction before and in the first trimester of pregnancy reduces the risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes.