Hypothyroxinaemia during gestation is associated with low ferritin and increased levels of inflammatory markers
Authors' conclusion
Gestational IH could be viewed as a condition of increased inflammation, as reported in non-thyroidal illness syndrome. Less favourable inflammation parameters and low iron status during early gestation in IH women seem to persist throughout gestation.
Study context
- Population
- Pregnant women assessed at 12 weeks gestation (study A) and at 12, 20 and 28 weeks (study B)2,433 in longitudinal study
- Participants
- 2,759 women
- Exposure
- Isolated hypothyroxinaemia vs reference women
- Isolated hypothyroxinaemia (IH)n = 122
- Referencen = 2,114reference
- Outcome
- Factors independently associated with IH vs reference (cross-sectional, study A)
- Follow-up
- 12 weeks gestation
Methodological detailscross-sectional study (A) at 12 weeks, longitudinal study (B) at 12, 20 and 28 weeks gestation
- Cross-sectional study (A) at 12 weeks
- Longitudinal study (B) at 12, 20 and 28 weeks gestation
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
IH vs ReferenceOdds ratio (95% CI)
Low ferritin (<5th percentile)
2.6(1.4–4.9)
High CRP (>95th percentile)
1.9(1.04–3.7)
Low hCG (<median)
2.1(1.40–3.16)
Higher age
1.1(1.04–1.15)
- Obesity (BMI > 30); CI malformed as printed in the abstract
- OR 1.7
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
Longitudinal course of ferritin, human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG), C-reactive protein (CRP) and IL-6 (study B: IH n=99, reference n=1847) · 12, 20 and 28 weeks gestation
- Women with IH at 12 weeks showed persistently and significantly lower ferritin and hCG levels, and persistently higher CRP and IL-6 levels throughout gestation vs reference women
Original publication
Hypothyroxinaemia during gestation is associated with low ferritin and increased levels of inflammatory markers. Eur Thyroid J. Published 4 March 2024. doi:10.
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