Lipid Metabolism in Pregnancy Women with Hypothyroidism and Potential Influence on Pregnancy Outcome

Abstract

Thyroid hormone (TH) is essential for maintaining normal physiological processes during pregnancy, including the metabolism of energy materials in both the mother and fetus and the growth and development of fetal bone and nervous system. TH can act on the liver, fat, and other tissues and organs to participate in lipid synthesis and breakdown through multiple pathways. Consequently, abnormal thyroid function is often accompanied by lipid metabolism disorders. Both clinical and subclinical hypothyroidism, as well as dyslipidemia during pregnancy, have been shown to be associated with an increased risk of multiple adverse pregnancy outcomes. Recently, there has been an increased interest in studying the alteration of lipidomic and hypothyroidism (both clinical and subclinical hypothyroidism) during pregnancy. Studies have suggested that altered lipid molecules might be used as potential biomarker and associated with adverse maternal and neonatal outcome. Thus, we summarized the associations between lipid metabolism and clinical or subclinical hypothyroidism during pregnancy in this review. Then, we discussed the underlying mechanisms of thyroid dysfunction and lipid metabolism. In addition, we reviewed the possible effect of dyslipidemia on pregnancy and neonatal outcome. However, the relationship between hypothyroidism during pregnancy and changes in the lipid profile and how to intervene in the occurrence and development of adverse pregnancy outcomes require further study.