Point prevalence of abnormal thyroid-stimulating hormone during the first trimester of pregnancy in Israel.

ABSTRACT

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.