Point prevalence of abnormal thyroid-stimulating hormone during the first trimester of pregnancy in Israel
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Published on: October 19, 2010
Background:
The prevalence of thyroid dysfunction in early pregnancy in Israel is not known.
Objectives:
To assess the rate of abnormal thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) tests in low risk pregnant women attending a community clinic in Israel.
Methods:
We conducted a retrospective analysis of the charts of low risk pregnant women (n = 303) who had undergone a TSH screening during the first trimester of pregnancy at Clalit Health Services Women's Health Centers in Ashkelon and Tel Aviv. TSH of 0.1-2.5 mIU/L during the first trimester was considered to be normal.
Results:
The TSH levels ranged from 0.04 to 13.3 mIU/L (median 1.73 mIU/L, mean 1.88 mIU/L).The rate of abnormal TSH was 25.6%, with low TSH 2.3% and high TSH 23.4%. The prevalence of abnormal TSH was not influenced by gravidity (primigravidas versus multigravidas) or place of residence (Ashkelon or Tel Aviv).
Conclusions:
In view of the high prevalence of abnormal TSH (25.6%) in pregnant women in Israel during the first trimester, a universal country-wide screening should be considered.
