ABSTRACT

The present study was designed to investigate the prevalence of thyroid dysfunction in early pregnancy and to compare pregnant women with and without risk factors for thyroid dysfunction.

One hundred and ninety-four women in weeks 6-20 of pregnancy attending the Obstetrics and Gynae-cology Clinics of Bakırkoy MD Sadi Konuk Teaching and Research Hospital between April 2008 and February 2009 were included in the study. The cases were separated into two groups, Group I and Group II. Serum levels of anti-TPO (anti-thyroid peroxidase), TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone), free T4 (thyroxine) and free T3 (triiodothyronine) were measured in all cases.

The prevalence of hypothyroidism, subclinical hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism was found to be 3.6%, 1% and 1%, respectively. The frequency of abortus was not statistically different between pregnant women with thyroid disease and without thyroid disease. The prevalence of thyroid disease was significantly higher in cases with positive anti-TPO and in cases who underwent surgery. Thyroid diseases which required treatment were diag-nosed in five of 128 pregnant women without risk factors for thyroid disease. There was no statistically significant difference in the prevalence of thyroid disease between pregnant women with risk factors and without risk factors.

The frequency of thyroid dysfunction was similar in the two groups, including cases with or without risk factors for thyroid disease. In spite of many endocrine societies, we suggest that all pregnant women should be screened without consideration of risk factors to avoid adverse outcomes. (Gazi Med J 2012; 23: 6-9)