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Functions of Thyroid Hormones

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The thyroid hormone (TH) plays a pivotal role in the intricate orchestration of physiological processes, exerting profound effects on development, metabolism, and homeostasis throughout different life stages.
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Synthesis and Regulation of Thyroid Hormones

Synthesis and Regulation of Thyroid Hormones

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Hypothyroidism II: Pathophysiology

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Hypothyroidism is a disorder characterized by insufficient production of thyroid hormones, which regulate metabolism, energy balance, and multiple organ systems.TypesHypothyroidism is classified based on the level of dysfunction. Primary hypothyroidism results from intrinsic thyroid gland dysfunction, causing reduced hormone production despite normal or increased stimulation. Secondary hypothyroidism arises from inadequate thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) secretion by the pituitary. Tertiary...

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Hyperthyroidism II: Pathophysiology

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Related Experiment Video

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An Ex vivo Culture System to Study Thyroid Development

An Ex vivo Culture System to Study Thyroid Development

Published on: June 6, 2014

Maternal thyroid function at 11-13 weeks of gestation.

Ghalia Ashoor¹, Nikos A Kametas, Ranjit Akolekar

¹Harris Birthright Research Centre, King's College Hospital, Denmark Hill, London, UK.

Fetal Diagnosis and Therapy

|April 24, 2010

Summary

This study establishes normal ranges for maternal thyroid function tests, including thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), free thyroxine (FT4), and free triiodothyronine (FT3), during early pregnancy (11-13 weeks gestation). These ranges are crucial for monitoring thyroid health in pregnant individuals.

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Area of Science:

Endocrinology
Reproductive Medicine
Clinical Chemistry

Background:

Maternal thyroid function is critical during pregnancy.
Establishing accurate reference ranges for thyroid hormones in early gestation is essential for diagnosing and managing thyroid dysfunction.
Previous studies have not fully characterized normal ranges for thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), free thyroxine (FT4), and free triiodothyronine (FT3) at 11-13 weeks of gestation.

Purpose of the Study:

To establish reliable normal ranges for maternal serum TSH, FT4, and FT3 at 11-13 weeks of gestation.
To identify factors influencing these thyroid hormone levels during early pregnancy.

Main Methods:

Maternal serum samples from 4,318 pregnancies were analyzed for FT3, FT4, TSH, anti-thyroperoxidase (anti-TPO), and anti-thyroglobulin (anti-Tg) antibodies at 11-13 weeks.
Normal ranges were derived from antibody-negative pregnancies with live births after 34 weeks and phenotypically normal neonates.
Multiple regression analysis was used to adjust for maternal characteristics affecting TSH, FT3, and FT4 levels.

Main Results:

In antibody-negative pregnancies (n=3,592), serum TSH increased with gestation, while FT3 and FT4 decreased.
Thyroid hormone levels varied by ethnicity, maternal age, body mass index, and serum free beta-hCG levels.
Antibody-positive pregnancies showed higher median TSH and lower median FT3 and FT4 compared to antibody-negative pregnancies.

Conclusions:

The study successfully established normal ranges for maternal thyroid function parameters at 11-13 weeks of gestation.
These established ranges provide a vital reference for clinical assessment and management of thyroid health in early pregnancy.
Understanding the influence of various maternal factors on thyroid hormone levels is crucial for accurate interpretation.