A Comparative Study of Thyroid Function Tests (serum T3, T4 and TSH) in Normal Pregnancy and Preeclampsia

The physiological changes in thyroid gland during pregnancy have been suggested as one of the pathophysiologic causes of preeclampsia. The aim of this study was comparison of serum levels of Tri-iodothyronine (T3), Tetra-iodothyronine (T4, Thyroxine) and Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) in normal pregnancy and preeclampsia. In this case-control study, 25 normal pregnant women and 25 cases of preeclampsia in third trimester of pregnancy were evaluated. They were compared for serum levels of Total T3, Total T4 and TSH. The mean age was not statistically different between two groups (p=0.58). Preeclamptic pregnant females showed a significant difference in serum T3 (p=0.0211) while a non-significant relationship in serum T4 (p=0.99) and serum TSH (p=0.37), when the results were compared with the normal pregnant females. Estimation of serum thyroid function tests is simple, reliable, economic and sensitive that can now be considered as an adjunct in the management of preeclampsia.