Endocrine Abstracts

In 1999 Haddow et al (NEJM; 1999; 314:549) reported neuropsychological deficits in babies born to inadequately treated hypothyroid mothers. We have compared our management of treated hypothyroidism in 30 pregnancies in 24 mothers delivered before 2000 to 37 pregnancies in 33 mothers since.TSH levels were measured at booking in 22 (73%) in the pre-2000 group, 6 (27%) of which were raised; and 32 (86%) in the post-2000 group where 12 (38%) were raised. 7 m...

Thyroid hormone and TSH levels change during pregnancy yet most laboratories use reference ranges derived from subjects who are not pregnant and male. Does this lead to an underestimation of thyroid disorders in pregnancy?We have derived our own reference range for Free T4 and TSH levels in pregnancy. The hormones were measured in 82 euthyroid mothers at booking and 68 at 28 weeks of pregnancy. Mean (95%CI: reference range of +2SD) FT4 levels were...