Clinical chemistry
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Thyroid function changes during pregnancy, complicating the diagnosis of thyroid disorders. Maternal thyroid dysfunction has been associated with a variety of adverse outcomes. We evaluated thyroid function test results by ethnicity and week of gestation during the 2nd trimester of pregnancy. ⋯ Blacks had lower prevalences of TgAb and TPOAb positivity and of increased serum TSH. The prevalence of TgAb and TPOAb positivity was highest in Asians. Whites had the highest prevalence of increased TSH. The lower and upper reference limits of TT3 were significantly lower for Asians. Reference intervals for women in the 2nd trimester were different from those of nonpregnant individuals.