METABOLIC DEFECTS OF THYROID HORMONE IN THE EMBRYONIC STAGE AUGMENT THE RISK OF DEVELOPING GESTATIONAL DIABETES MELLITUS AND OTHER SUSCEPTIBLE FACTORS

The objective of the study is to elucidate the association between thyroid dysfunction and increased risk of developing gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and assess the other risk factors for developing GDM. Retrospective observational research was carried out on 204 patients. Of these, pregnant women greater than 18 years were considered and recruited based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. All data and clinical observations were collected, and the prevalence of GDM rose with increasing age, BMI, family history of diabetes, history of GDM, and history of thyroid achieves statistical significance. The incidence of GDM is significantly increased in overt hypothyroid groups compared with other groups. In a group of GDM patients, the mean values of the oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) were significantly higher in overt hypothyroid patients compared with Euthyroid patients. Interestingly, overt hypothyroid patients with GDM had significantly high mean serum TSH values in their early pregnancy compared to overt hypothyroid patients without GDM, indicating the association between thyroid dysfunction in pregnancy and gestational diabetes mellitus. Patients with a history of polycystic ovarian disease (PCOD) and a history of infertility had a significantly higher incidence of GDM. With the effective statistical assessment, the present study concludes that thyroid dysfunction, especially overt hypothyroidism, is associated with an increased risk of developing gestational diabetes mellitus. History of PCOD and history of infertility are the notable risk factors for developing GDM.