Thyroid function and metabolic profile in women during the first trimester of pregnancy: A cross-sectional comparative study

Sallah A. AL HASHEDI; Mohammad M.S. SAIF; Khaled M.A. RAMADAN; Hossam S. EL-BELATGI; Najeeb S.  AL-ZOREKY; Fatimah ALHAJJI; Yara Mohammed AL NAEEM; Mohamed A.A. MAHMOUD; Eslam S.A. BENDARY; Mohammed T. ALSORORRI

doi:10.55779/nsb17212555

Authors

Sallah A. AL HASHEDI King Faisal University, Central Laboratories, Al-Ahsa, 31982 (SA) https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3183-9162
Mohammad M.S. SAIF IBB University, Faculty of Science, Department of Biochemistry (YE) https://orcid.org/0009-0009-3904-8443
Khaled M.A. RAMADAN Central Laboratories, King Faisal University, 31982, Al-Ahsa, Saudi Arabia (SA)
Hossam S. EL-BELATGI King Faisal University, College of Agricultural and Food Science, Agriculture Biotechnology Department, King Al-Ahsa, 31982 (SA)
Najeeb S. AL-ZOREKY King Faisal University, Camel Research Center, Al-Ahsa, 31982 (SA) https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6500-8271
Fatimah ALHAJJI Abdulmonem Al Rashed Humanitarian Foundation, Fab Lab, Al-Ahsa (SA)
Yara Mohammed AL NAEEM Abdulmonem Al Rashed Humanitarian Foundation, Fab Lab, Al-Ahsa (SA)
Mohamed A.A. MAHMOUD Ain Shams University, Faculty of Agriculture, Department of Agricultural Biochemistry, P.O. Box 68, Hadayek Shobra, Cairo 11241 (EG)
Eslam S.A. BENDARY Ain Shams University, Faculty of Agriculture, Department of Agricultural Biochemistry, P.O. Box 68, Hadayek Shobra, Cairo 11241 (EG)
Mohammed T. ALSORORRI IBB University, Faculty of Science, Department of Biochemistry (YE)

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.55779/nsb17212555

Keywords:

first trimester pregnancy, FT4, hormonal correlation, maternal thyroid hormones, obstetric history, pregnancy, TSH

Abstract

Maternal thyroid hormones are critical for fetal development, particularly during the first trimester when the fetus relies entirely on maternal supply. This cross-sectional study assessed thyroid function in 85 first-trimester pregnant women and 85 age-matched non-pregnant controls in IBB City, Yemen. Serum levels of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and free thyroxine (FT4) were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits. The mean TSH and FT4 levels in pregnant women (2.16 ± 1.71 mIU/L and 1.28 ± 0.48 ng/dL, respectively) did not differ significantly from those in non-pregnant women (2.20 ± 1.40 mIU/L and 1.32 ± 0.42 ng/dL), with no clinically evident cases of overt thyroid dysfunction observed. A strong inverse correlation was found between FT4 and TSH in the pregnant group (r = –0.659, p < 0.001). No significant associations were detected between thyroid hormone levels and gestational age, obstetric history, or family history. Age-related declines in FT4 and FT3 were noted in controls but not in pregnant participants. These findings suggest stable first-trimester thyroid function in this cohort, though high dysfunction rates (24.7% subclinical; 10.6% overt hypothyroidism) indicate regional susceptibility. Given this burden, targeted screening could identify subclinical dysfunction and inform local reference intervals.

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