Correlation of thyroid and lipid profile in pre eclampsia patients

Background: Preeclamsia is a common medical complication during pregnancy.
Methods: The study was conducted on 50 pregnant females, divided into two groups of 25 each: cases of PIH (study group) and normotensive pregnant females (control group) and all these pregnant females were at 20 weeks or more gestation. Blood sample was collected from these patients at the period of gestation when they attended Gynaecology O.P.D at chalmeda anand rao hospital, karimnagar. Thyroid profile and Lipid profile (S. Cholesterol and Triglycerides) was evaluated and compared in these patients.
Results: The mean T3 value in the study group was 1.18 ng/ml while it was 1.16 ng/ml in the control group (p=0.8156) and mean T4 value in the study group was 8.19 g/dl compared to 7.69 g/dl in the control group (p=0.2681). The difference did not attain statistical significance. The mean TSH value in the study group was 2.73 mIU/L which was significantly higher statistically than the value of 1.27 mIU/L in the control group (p<0.0001). Lipid profile levels (Serum cholesterol and triglycerides) were significantly higher in the study group compared to the control group (p<0.0001). The mean serum cholesterol value in the study group was 254.64 mg/dl compared to 172.64 mg/dl in the control group. The mean triglycerides value in the study group was 235.86 mg/dl compared to 133.20 mg/dl in the control group.
Conclusions: It was concluded that patients with PIH had a significant increase in TSH levels, a non significant alteration in T3 and T4 levels and a significant increase in lipid profile levels (S.cholesterol and triglycerides) compared to normotensive pregnant females. This suggests role of thyroid hormones and dyslipidemia in the development and pathogenesis of PIH. Therefore, early detection of thyroid abnormalities and dyslipidemia may affect the occurrence and severity of PIH and help in better management of the disease in established pre-eclamptic women.