Association of subclinical thyroid disorder in hypertensive pregnant women attending a tertiary care hospital

Authors

  • Fahmida Sultana Mili Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Chittagong Medical College Hospital, Chittagong. Bangladesh
  • Sumona Yesmin 250 Bed General Hospital, Munshigan, Bangladesh
  • Iftekhar Ahmed Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Chittagong Medical College Hospital, Chittagong, Bangladesh
  • Hlakhing Sen Shoma Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Dhaka Medical College Hospital, Dhaka, Bangladesh
  • Najmatun Jikria 250 Beded Sadar Hospital, Naogaon, Bangladesh
  • Jesmine Ara Haque Institute of Nuclear Medicine and Allied Sciences, Dhaka, Bangladesh
  • Tasrina Akter Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, City Campus Nottingham, United Kingdom

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18203/2320-1770.ijrcog20261254

Keywords:

Subclinical thyroid disorder, Hypertension in pregnancy, Thyroid dysfunction

Abstract

Background: Subclinical thyroid disorders have gained increasing attention because thyroid hormones play an important role in cardiovascular function and blood pressure regulation, and pregnancy-related physiological changes further complicate the assessment of thyroid function. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the association between subclinical thyroid disorder and hypertension in pregnant women attending a tertiary care hospital.

Methods: This cross-sectional comparative study at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH), Dhaka, Bangladesh (Feb 2020–Mar 2021), included 220 pregnant women (110 hypertensive, 110 normotensive) matched for age, parity, and gestational age. Socio-demographic, obstetric, and clinical data were collected, blood pressure measured, and serum TSH and FT4 analyzed using Siemens ADVIA Centaur XP CLIA with ATA trimester-specific ranges. Data were analyzed with SPSS 25 (p <0.05).

Results: Among 220 pregnant women (110 hypertensive, 110 normotensive), most were 18–25 years, 29–40 weeks gestation, and nulliparous, with no significant differences. Pre-eclampsia with severe features was most common (40%). Subclinical hypothyroidism was higher in hypertensive women (46.4% vs 14.5%, p=0.001) and associated with elevated BP. Hypertensive women had higher TSH (4.46 vs 2.28 µIU/ml) and lower FT4 (13.49 vs 15.78 pmol/l), most pronounced in pre-eclampsia (p≤0.001).

Conclusions: Subclinical hypothyroidism is the most common thyroid disorder in hypertensive pregnant women and is associated with higher blood pressure, suggesting early detection may help reduce the severity of pregnancy-related hypertension.

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Published

2026-04-28

How to Cite

Mili, F. S., Yesmin, S., Ahmed, I., Shoma, H. S., Jikria, N., Haque, J. A., & Akter, T. (2026). Association of subclinical thyroid disorder in hypertensive pregnant women attending a tertiary care hospital. International Journal of Reproduction, Contraception, Obstetrics and Gynecology, 15(5), 1554–1561. https://doi.org/10.18203/2320-1770.ijrcog20261254

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Original Research Articles