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

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.