ABSTRACT

The present study was carried out in hundred women of preeclampsia, 100 age- and parity matched normotensive pregnant women fifty age-matched healthy non-pregnant women. Thyroid hormones [total T3,T4 and TSH], serum albumin and uric acid were analyzed in these subjects. Women with preeclampsia had higher TT3, TT4 levels as compared to non pregnant women [p<0.05], but preeclamptic TT3,TT4 levels were lower compared to normotensive pregnant women [p<0.05, p<0.01]. TSH levels were higher in both preeclamptic & normotensive pregnant women compared to nonpregnant women [p<0.001] and levels were lowered in normotensive pregnant women as compared to nonpregnant women [p<0.001]. A significant negative correlation was observed between birth weight and TSH levels in preeclamptic women [r= -0.296, p<0.001] serum albumin and TSH levels [r= -0.781, p<0.01]. Also, significant positive correlation was observed between birth weight and albumin [r= 0.298, p<0.001]; birth weight and serum uric acid levels [r= -0.46, p<0.01]. Serum albumin and TT3 & TT4 levels [r= 0.409 & r=0.35, p<0.01 respectively]. These findings indicate that there is state of hypothyroxinemia in normal pregnancy and in preeclampsia, biochemical hypothyroidism (raised) TSH occurs. Identification of changes in thyroid hormones in preeclampsia might be of help in preventing occurrence of preeclampsia.