Gestational diabetes & diabetes in pregnancy
Low free T4 (FT4) levels in early pregnancy are associated with higher insulin therapy need in women with gestational diabetes mellitus
Authors' conclusion
Lower serum free T4 levels were independently associated with a higher risk for IT need in women with GDM. More research is needed to unravel this association, but insulin resistance is probably a major contributor.
Study context
- Population
- Women screened at median 12 (11–14) weeks of pregnancy for thyroid disorders (TSH, FT4, TPOAb) and for gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) by OGTT at 24–28 weeks; assisted and multiple pregnancies excluded; GDM by 2013 WHO criteria328 with GDM
- Participants
- 1,697 women
- Exposure
- Insulin therapy vs diet and lifestyle measures in women with GDM
- Insulin therapy (IT)n = 54
- DiLSn = 274reference
- Outcome
- Variables associated with IT need
Methodological detailssingle-centre
- Single-centre
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
FT4 levels associated with IT need (multivariable, adjusted for confounders)
FT4 levels, aOR for IT need
0.76
95% CI 0.61–0.94P = 0.011
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
GDM diagnosis
- Diagnosed with GDM
- 328 of 1,697 (19.3%)
- Treated with IT
- 54 (16.5%)
- Treated with DiLS only
- 274 (83.5%)
Original publication
Low FT4 levels in early pregnancy are associated with higher insulin therapy need in women with gestational diabetes mellitus. Eur Thyroid J. Published 24 December 2025. doi:10.
Composed by AI from the published abstract and checked against it. How Briefs are made →