Reduced serum concentrations of vitamin B12 and folate and elevated thyroid-stimulating hormone and homocysteine levels in first-trimester pregnant Saudi women with high A1C concentrations

Folate deficiency may increase the risk for elevated TSH in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus

BACKGROUND

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and thyroid dysfunction (TD) are two common chronic endocrine disorders that often coexist. Folate deficiency has been reported to be related with the onset and development of T2DM. However, the relationship between folate deficiency and TD remains unclear. This study aims to investigate the association of serum folate with TD in patients with T2DM.

METHODS

The study used data on 268 inpatients with T2DM in the Beijing Chao-yang Hospital, Capital Medical University from October 2020 to February 2021. Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), free triiodothyronine (FT3), free thyroxine (FT4), and serum folate were measured with chemiluminescence immunoassay (CLIA), and folate deficiency was defined as a serum folate concentration < 4.4 ng/mL. Ordinary least squares regression models were used to assess the association of serum folate with TSH concentration. Multivariable logistic regression models were performed to explore the correlation of folate deficiency and the risk for elevated TSH.

RESULTS

15.3% of T2DM patients had TD. Among those patients with TD, 80.5% had elevated TSH. Compared with the normal-TSH and low-TSH groups, the prevalence of folate deficiency was significantly higher in the elevated-TSH group (P < 0.001). Serum folate level was negatively associated with TSH (β=-0.062, 95%CI: -0.112, -0.012). Folate deficiency was associated with the higher risk for elevated TSH in patients with T2DM (OR = 8.562, 95%CI: 3.108, 23.588).

CONCLUSIONS

A low serum folate concentration was significantly associated with a higher risk for elevated TSH among T2DM patients.

Vitamin B12 status and folic acid/vitamin B12 related to the risk of gestational diabetes mellitus in pregnancy: a systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies

Background

This review was conducted to investigate the association between serum vitamin B12 levels as well as folic acid/vitamin B12 during pregnancy and the risk of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM).

Methods

A comprehensive search of electronic databases (Embase, PubMed, and Web of Science) was performed. The odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of GDM risk were summarized using a random effects model. We also performed subgroup analyses to explore the source of heterogeneity.

Results

A total of 10 studies, including 10,595 pregnant women were assessed. Women with vitamin B12 deficiency were at higher risk for developing GDM when compared with those who were vitamin B12 sufficient (OR, 1.46; 95% CI 1.21–1.79; I²: 59.0%). Subgroup analysis indicated that this association might differ based on sample size and geographical distribution. Elevated vitamin B12 levels may decrease the risk of GDM by 23%. The role of excess folic acid and low vitamin B12 levels in the occurrence of GDM is also controversial.

Conclusion

In summary, vitamin B12 deficiency is associated with increased risk of GDM, it is necessary to pay more attention to the balance of vitamin B12 and folic acid. However, more in-depth studies across multiple populations are needed to verify these results.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12884-022-04911-9.

A Novel and Precise Profiling Tool to Predict Gestational Diabetes

BACKGROUND

There is a trend in healthcare for developing models for predictions of disease to enable early intervention and improve outcome.

INSTRUMENT

We present the use of artificial intelligence algorithms that were developed by Gynisus Ltd. using mathematical algorithms.

EXPERIENCE

Data were retrospectively collected on pregnant women that delivered at a single institution. Hundreds of parameters were collected and found to have different importance and correlation with the likelihood to develop gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). We highlight 3 of 29 specific parameters that were important in pregestation and in early pregnancy, which have not been previously correlated with GDM.

CONCLUSION

This predictive tool identified parameters that are not currently being used as predictors in GDM, even before pregnancy. This tool opens the possibility of intervening on patients identified at risk for GDM and its complications. Future prospective studies are needed.

Use of Plastics with Hot Food among Saudi Pregnant Women Is Associated with Increased Concentrations of A1C, Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone, and Homocysteine and Decreased Concentrations of Vitamins and Minerals

Data regarding association between the use of plastics with hot food and levels of vitamins and minerals, and other biochemical parameters are lacking. Cross-sectional data for 740 healthy pregnant Saudi women were collected from 21 health care centres and 2 hospitals from Madinah, Saudi Arabia. Detailed data regarding the frequency of plastic use with hot food were collected, and laboratory analyses of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), homocysteine (HCY), glycated A1C (A1C), and selected vitamins and minerals were also done. Daily use of plastics with hot food was frequently reported among young mothers (p = 0.002). Plastic use with hot food on a daily basis was positively associated with TSH, HCY, and A1C, while it was negatively associated with concentrations of vitamin E, zinc, and selenium. Future research should address the complex hormonal and metabolic abnormalities that are linked to the release of certain components associated with the use of plastics with hot food. Interventions are urgently needed to eliminate the use of plastics with hot food to prevent health complications that may result from the long-term use of these materials.