Publications

Background: Pregnancy is a physiological condition among women. Pregnancy brings about major changes in the hormonal levels. Thyroid stimulating hormone is a hormone produced by anterior pituitary. TSH provides the most common sensitive index to reliably detect thyroid function abnormalities.

Objective:The goal of this study was to estimate the levels of serum TSH at first trimester in pregnant

women in the department of Biochemistry, St. John’s Medical College & Hospital and compare with the biological reference intervals as established in the laboratory.

Methodology: This retrospective study was conducted from January to December 2021 in the department of Biochemistry, St. John’s Medical College & Hospital. Lab data review of pregnant women has been analysed for serum TSH. The study included 228 pregnant women in their first trimester, aged between 20 and 35 years. Serum TSH levels were measured using the ABBOTT ARCHITECT CI8200 through Chemiluminometric Immunoassay. The collected data underwent analysis and comparison to derive descriptive statistics.

Result: A total of 228 pregnant women in the first trimester, fulfilling the inclusion criteria were included. Maternal age of the study population was 20-35 years. Among the pregnant women, 12 (5.3%) women showed low values for TSH (<0.35 ìIU/Ml), 11 (4.8%) women showed higher values for TSH (>4.94 ìIU/mL) and 205 (89.9%) showed normal TSH levels during first trimester. In this study, the mean TSH level in pregnant women was found to be 1.94±1.50 ìIU/mL. The median TSH levels was 1.51 ìIU/mL, 2.5th and 97.5th percentiles [P2.5-P97.5], 0.23-5.86 ìIU/mL.

Conclusion: The observed connection between aberrant TSH serum levels during the first trimester and adverse pregnancy outcomes underscores the necessity for proactive screening. Identifying pregnant women with elevated or reduced TSH levels early on holds significant potential for preventing complications. The incorporation of such screening protocols can yield a range of benefits, including timely interventions and enhanced management strategies to mitigate adverse outcomes. Our research contributes to the growing body of evidence supporting TSH screening during early pregnancy, emphasizing its pivotal role in safeguarding maternal and foetal health.

Keywords: Pregnancy, Thyroid function, TSH, Hypothyroidism, Hyperthyroidism