Alterations of thyroid volume and nodular size during and after pregnancy in a severe iodine-deficient area

• Published in: Clinical endocrinology (Oxford) 2014-11, Vol.81 (5), p.762-768
• Main Authors: Sahin, Serap B., Ogullar, Sabri, Ural, Ulku Mete, Ilkkilic, Kadir, Metin, Yavuz, Ayaz, Teslime
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Biological and medical sciences; Endocrinopathies; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Humans; Iodine - deficiency; Maternal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; Medical sciences; Organ Size; Postpartum Period; Pregnancy - physiology; Pregnancy Complications, Neoplastic - diagnostic imaging; Pregnancy Complications, Neoplastic - epidemiology; Pregnancy Complications, Neoplastic - pathology; Severity of Illness Index; Thyroid Gland - anatomy & histology; Thyroid Gland - diagnostic imaging; Thyroid Gland - pathology; Thyroid Nodule - diagnostic imaging; Thyroid Nodule - pathology; Tumor Burden; Ultrasonography; Vertebrates: endocrinology; Young Adult
• ISSN: 0300-0664; 1365-2265
• DOI: 10.1111/cen.12490

Summary Objective The effects of pregnancy on thyroid nodules were investigated in a few number of studies. We aimed to evaluate the prevalence of thyroid nodules, the changes in size, volume and number of nodules during pregnancy and after delivery in pregnant women. Design and methods This prospective study was performed in a severe iodine‐deficient area and included 83 pregnant women (mean age 30·4 ± 5·5 years). We evaluated thyroid hormone levels, ultrasound examination of thyroid and urine iodine concentration (UIE) at each trimester and at 3‐month post‐partum period (PP). All patients with thyroid nodules >1 cm underwent fine‐needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) after the last visit at the PP. Results Twenty‐six women had thyroid nodules on thyroid ultrasonography at the first trimester. The volume of single/dominant nodule showed enlargement during pregnancy and remained at the PP; however, it was not significant (first trimester: 0·83 ± 0·8 ml; second trimester: 0·92 ± 1 ml; third trimester: 0·99 ± 1·2 ml; PP: 0·92 ± 1·2 ml). The maximum diameter of single/dominant nodule in the third trimester of pregnancy (12·6 ± 5·4 mm) was greater than the first trimester (11·9 ± 4·8 mm) (P = 0·002). The number of nodules did not change during pregnancy. The mean TV increased during pregnancy and remained 3 months after delivery (P