Free triiodothyronine and free thyroxin in sera of pregnant women and subjects with congenitally increased or decreased thyroxin-binding globulin.

Abstract

Concentrations of free thyroxin (T4) and free triiodothyronine (T3) were measured in sera from pregnant women, in subjects with congenitally increased or decreased thyroxin-binding globulin (TBG), and in euthyroid controls. Measured free hormone concentrations were compared with calculated values for free hormone derived from concentrations of total T4, total T3, and binding proteins. Measured and calculated concentrations of free T4 and free T3 were below normal in the pregnant subjects but were normal in subjects with congenital increases of TBG. The low concentrations of free hormone in pregnancy are at variance with the euthyroid status of these subjects. Measured free T4 was normal, but concentrations of free T3 were less in the euthyroid congenitally low-TBG group.