Assessment of Dried Blood Spot Thyroglobulin and Urinary Iodine Concentration in Pregnant Women

Assessment of Dried Blood Spot Thyroglobulin in Pregnant Women to Redefine the Range of Median Urinary Iodine Concentration That Indicates Adequate Iodine Intake

To avoid iodine deficiency and its consequences in pregnant women and their offspring, women should reach a sufficient iodine intake long before conception. To monitor iodine status, median urinary iodine concentration (UIC) is widely used in pregnant women (PW). Thyroglobulin (Tg) us another marker used to assess iodine status . In this study, urine samples as well as dried blood spots will be collected to measure UIC and Tg (as well as other hormones to define thyroid function) in PW. The results shall be used to reassess the threshold which defines iodine status in PW according to UIC.

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Generally healthy
2. No major medical illness, no thyroid disease, and taking no chronic medication
3. No use of iodine containing dietary supplements
4. No use of iodine-containing X-ray /CT contrast agent or iodine containing medication within the last year
5. Aged between 18 and 44 at enrollment
6. Singleton pregnancy
7. Non-smoking
8. Residence at study site since 12 months or longer