Thyroid function tests and thyroid autoantibodies in an unselected population of women undergoing first trimester screening for aneuploidy.
BACKGROUND
Thyroid dysfunction in early pregnancy is associated with a number of adverse outcomes. Furthermore, the presence of thyroid autoantibodies has been associated with an increased risk of miscarriage.


OBJECTIVE
To determine the prevalence of thyroid autoantibodies and their effect on thyroid function tests in an unselected population of women in early pregnancy.


METHODS
Cross-sectional study of samples that were collected for aneuploidy screening between 10 and 14 weeks gestation in Northern Sydney Area Health Service. Thyroid function tests (free T3, free T4 and thyroid-stimulating hormone) and thyroid autoantibodies to thyroperoxidase and thyroglobulin were measured.


METHODS
Thyroid function tests were performed on a random sample of 257 blood samples.


RESULTS
The presence of thyroid autoantibodies was common (18.3%) and was associated with subtle changes in thyroid function consistent with impaired thyroidal reserve.


CONCLUSIONS
The prevalence of antithyroid Abs in an unselected pregnant population in the late first trimester was about 18%.
McElduff
Aidan
A
Department of Endocrinology, Royal North Shore Hospital, and Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Sydney, St Leonards, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. aidanm@med.usyd.edu.au
Morris
Jonathan
J
D000328:Adult; D000782:Aneuploidy; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000097:blood*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000175:diagnosis; D011261:Pregnancy Trimester, First / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology; D015995:Prevalence; D013959:Thyroid Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000276:immunology; D013960:Thyroid Function Tests; D013961:Thyroid Gland / Q000276:immunology* / Q000502:physiology*; D013972:Thyrotropin / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology; D013974:Thyroxine / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology; D014284:Triiodothyronine / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology
D001323:Autoantibodies; D014284:Triiodothyronine; D013972:Thyrotropin; D013974:Thyroxine