Plasma zinc concentration and thyroid function in hyperemetic pregnancies
Lao, T.T.; Chin, R.K.; Mak, Y.T.; Panesar, N.S.
Acta Obstetricia et Gynecologica Scandinavica 67(7): 599-604
1988
ISSN/ISBN: 0001-6349 PMID: 3247831 Document Number: 317228
Low zinc concentrations in plasma have been reported in pregnancy complications such as pre-eclampsia and intra-uterine growth retardation, as well as in non-pregnant individuals with gastrointestinal and eating disorders. The present study looked at the plasma zinc concentration in hyperemetic and normal pregnant women at the same stage of gestation, as well as total thyroxine concentration in these two groups, since abnormal thyroid function is a common phenomenon in hyperemetic women. No difference in plasma zinc concentration was found between normal and hyperemetic women, which suggests that hyperemesis gravidarum is not associated with a low plasma zinc concentration. Hyperemetic women did have, however, significantly higher total thyroxine concentrations, and on further examination, a significant correlation was found between plasma zinc concentration and total and free thyroxine, free tri-iodothyronine, and human chorionic gonadotropin. The significance of our findings is discussed.