Are there bidirectional associations between maternal thyroid function and glucose metabolism in singleton live births? A birth cohort study.

(1) Aims: To examine the associations between maternal thyroid function and glucose metabolism during pregnancy. (2)

Methods

This study was based on Ma' anshan Birth Cohort in China. Totally 2375 pregnant women were included in data analysis. Maternal thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), free thyroxine (FT4), thyroid peroxidase antibody (TPOAb) and fasting plasma glucose (FPG) levels during the first, second and third trimesters of pregnancy were measured retrospectively. Mplus 8.0 was used to construct a cross-lagged panel model to examine the potential bidirectional association between thyroid function and FPG levels throughout pregnancy. (3)

Results

FT4 levels were positively correlated with FPG levels in the first trimester and negatively correlated with FPG levels in the second trimester. TSH levels were negatively associated with FPG levels in the second trimester, and in the first trimester, it could positively predict FPG levels in the second trimester. No significant association was found between TPOAb levels and FPG levels during pregnancy. (4)

Conclusions

There was a non-bidirectional association between maternal thyroid function and glucose metabolism during pregnancy. FT4 and TSH levels influence FPG concentrations in the first and second trimesters of pregnancy.