Thyroid function profile, and its association to consumption of cassava and Moringa stenopetala in pregnant women

Alemayehu Zekewos Golla

Biochemistry Unit, School of Medicine, Hawassa University, Hawassa, Ethiopia.

DOI: 10.4236/abc.2013.35048                

Abstract

Background: Pregnancy is associated with the change in thyroid function. Thyroid function is also affected by goitrogenic substances in some plant foods, like cassava. Aim: This study aims to assess thyroid function status and its association to consumption of foods containing goitrogenic substances. Methods: A cross sectional study was done on a total of 65 pregnant women attending Sawla Health Center, South Ethiopia. Serum samples were collected and analyzed for TSH, total T4 and total T3 by using ELISA kit. Data on consumption of foods containing were obtained from food frequency questionnaire. Results: The median TSH of the first, second and third trimesters, respectively are 2.57, 1.86 and 2.42 mIU/L, which are within the reference interval (0.30-6.20 mIU/L) of the test kit. The median total T4 values (9.8, 10.0 and 10.3 μg/dl in the first, second and third trimesters, respectively) were also within the reference interval (4.8-11.6 μg/dl) of the test kits. The median total T3 in the first (2.60 ng/ml) and third (2.35 ng/ml) trimesters were elevated, but it was within the reference interval (0.69-2.02 ng/ml) in the second trimester (1.92 ng/ml). Though statistically non-significant median TSH was increased in women grouped as cassava consumers and M. stenopetala consumers while median total T4 values were decreased in these groups. Conclusion: The study subjects have normal thyroid function as the median values of TSH and total T4 were within the reference interval of the test kit. Frequent consumption of cassava and Moringa stenopetala may affect thyroid function.

Keywords

Thyroid Function; Pregnancy; Cassava; Moringa stenopetala; Goitrogenic Substances

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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