TSH and Free T4 Concentrations in Korean Pregnant Women.
- Author:
Yun Sung JO
1
;
Du Man KIM
;
Gui Se Ra LEE
;
Min Jeong KIM
;
Sa Jin KIM
Author Information
1. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Holy Family Hospital, The Catholic University, Kyungido, Korea. ksajin@catholic.ac.kr
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Thyroid function test;
TSH;
FT4;
thyroid-stimulating hormone;
free thyroxine;
reference intervals
- MeSH:
Autoantibodies;
Female;
Gestational Age;
Humans;
Immunoassay;
Mass Screening;
Pregnancy;
Pregnancy Trimester, First;
Pregnancy Trimester, Second;
Pregnancy Trimester, Third;
Pregnant Women;
Reference Values;
Thyroid Function Tests;
Thyroid Gland;
Thyrotropin
- From:Korean Journal of Perinatology
2009;20(4):332-338
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
PURPOSE: To determine the means, medians and reference intervals for TSH (thyroid-stimulating hormone) and fT4 (free thyroxine) for each month of gestation and for three trimesters in Korean pregnant women. METHODS: Serum samples were collected from 265 pregnant women with singleton gestation. Levels of TSH, fT4 were measured by immunoassay. After exclusion of subjects with positive antimicrosomal autoantibodies, the means, medians and reference intervals based on 2.5th and 97.5th percentiles for TSH, fT4 were determined. RESULTS: The study population consisted of 94 women in first trimester, 49 women in second trimester, and 122 women in third trimester. The trimester-specific reference intervals were: TSH (1st trimester: 0.03~2.72, 2nd: 0.27~2.29, and 3rd: 0.03~2.88 mIU/L), fT4 (1st trimester 4.50~19.75, 2nd: 4.70~12.98 and 3rd: 5.07~11.84 pg/mL). fT4 levels were significantly lower in the second and third trimesters. TSH levels were lower in the first trimester than second and third trimester, with gradual elevation in the second and third trimester. CONCLUSION: Levels of TSH, fT4 during pregnancy differ from those in non-pregnant women. Gestational age specific reference intervals will play a cental role in screening and diagnosis of thyroid disorders. Further studies for normal reference ranges during pregnancy are needed to create reference intervals in Korean pregnant women.
