Reference intervals of thyroidstimulating hormone in pregnant women living in the central regions of the Russian Federation

BACKGROUND: Pregnancy is a condition with important structural and physiological changes in the thyroid gland. In this regard, experts of thyroid associations have recommended developing specific reference intervals taking into account the natural and socio-geographical characteristics of the region under study.
AIM: To conduct an epidemiological analysis and evaluate TSH reference intervals in pregnant women living in the central regions of the Russian Federation with mild iodine deficiency.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: We have conducted the observational multicenter cross-sectional study included 2008 healthy pregnant women at different trimesters of pregnancy, from three regions of the Russian Federation (Moscow, Ivanovo and Smolensk). We assessed the level of thyroid-stimulating hormone, antibodies to thyroid peroxidase, antibodies to serum thyroglobulin, the level of iodine concentration in the morning portion of urine (cerium arsenic method) and we have conducted a questionnaire (date birth and gestational age). Women with elevated titers of anti-TPO and/or anti-TG antibodies were excluded from the study (245 women). As a result, we assessed high and medium levels of TSH and its overestimation with iodine sufficiency in pregnant women. The results are presented using the calculation of 2.5 and 97.5 percentiles.
RESULTS: We confirmed the presence of iodine deficiency in the study areas. The median concentration of iodine in the urine was: in Moscow 106 μg/l, in Ivanovo 119 μg/l, in Smolensk 134 μg/l. Pregnant women were divided into 2 groups according to iodine adequacy. In the group with optimal iodine supply, the level of TSH was 0,006–3,36 in the 1st trimester, 0,20–3,74 in the 2nd trimester, and 0,33–3,68 mIU/L in the 3rd trimester. In the group with mild iodine deficiency — in the 1st trimester it was 0,11–3,00, in the 2nd trimester 0,22–3,78, in the 3rd trimester 0,07–3,04 mIU/l. Statistical analysis of the data revealed that when comparing the level of TSH by trimester, depending on the place of residence, no statistical difference was found (p = 0,239).
CONCLUSION: We obtained that the level of TSH in healthy pregnant women living in the central regions of the Russian Federation does not exceed 3.8 mIU/l in all trimesters.

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