Relation between plasma adenosine and serum TSH levels in women with hyperemesis gravidarum

This study investigated the relation between adenosine and thyroid function associated with hyperemesis gravidarum.

We examined 84 Japanese singleton pregnant women with an average age of 33.0+/-5.8 years at 9-12 weeks gestation being managed at our hospital. The patients were divided into three groups according to the severity of emesis: (1) those with hyperemesis gravidarum (nausea and vomiting with weight loss >5%, n=13), (2) those with emesis (nausea and vomiting with weight loss <5%, n=31), and (3) those with no symptoms as a control (n=40).

The average serum TSH levels in the emesis and hyperemesis groups were significantly higher than that in the control group (P<0.05). The average plasma adenosine level in the hyperemesis group was significantly higher than those in the control pregnant and emesis groups (P<0.05). There were no significant differences in plasma adenosine levels between the control pregnant and emesis groups. The serum TSH level showed significant correlations with weight loss (%) and plasma adenosine levels (P<0.05).

Our findings support the possible role of adenosine in counteracting the further progression of hyperemesis gravidarum associated with gestational thyrotoxicosis.