Correlation between Sonographic Findings of Maternal Thyroid Gland and Thyroid Function Tests during Pregnancy

Abstract

Background: Pregnancy has great influence on maternal thyroid gland. It induces significant physiological as well as hormonal changes that alters the maternal thyroid function. Our goal was to determine this pregnancy associated changes in thyroid gland. Objective: To correlate the sonographic findings of maternal thyroid gland with thyroid function tests during pregnancy. Material and methods: 135 pregnant women were recruited in this study, data of TSH, T3 and T4 was obtained and correlated it with the sonographic findings of maternal thyroid gland in each trimester of pregnancy. Results: In the 135 sampled pregnant women, mean thyroid gland volume was 4.08±1.19 cm3. The mean levels of T3, T4 and TSH were v3.37±.44 pmol/L, 14.96±2.49 pmol/L and 1.21±.92 mIU/L respectively. A remarkable correlation between thyroid hormones and thyroid volume was observed. Conclusion: It is concluded that the ultra-sonographic findings is correlated with the thyroid function tests during pregnancy.