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SERUM AND THYROID GLAND TRIIODOTHYRONINE IN THE HUMAN FETUS

UCLA, Harbor General Hospital Torrance, California 90509 Le Centre Hospitalier de l'Université Laval Quebec, P.Q.

Serum T3 concentrations are low (<15 ng/100 ml) before 24 weeks and increase progressively thereafter to term, but both T3 and free T3 (FT3) levels are lower than paired maternal concentrations. Moreover, throughout gestation T4/T3 and FT4/FT3 ratios consistently exceed paired maternal ratios. The mean T4/T3 content ratio of fetal thyroid glands (14.3) is similar to that (19.5) of adult glands. These data indicate that a state of relative fetal T3 deficiency exists in the human as in the sheep. This deficiency probably is not due to decreased T3 secretion.

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				D. Fisher Next Generation Newborn Screening for Congenital Hypothyroidism? J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., June 1, 2005; 90(6): 3797 - 3799. [Full Text] [PDF]