Prevalence of thyroid dysfunction and thyroid autoimmunity in infertile women

Abstract

Aim: This study aimed to determine the prevalence of thyroid autoimmunity (antithyroglobulin and antithyroid peroxidase)and thyroid dysfunction (hypo- or hyperthyroidism) among women with different causes of infertility.Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out among 255 patients with infertility who were recruitedfrom the gynecology clinic, Kasr Al Ainy Hospitals, Cairo University, Egypt. Patients were divided into 4 groups. Group A including infertile women with either unexplained or anovulatory infertility with/without associated male factor,group B including infertile women with a tubal (mechanical) factor of infertility with/without associated male factor,group C including infertile women with both anovulation and tubal factor with/without associated male factor and acontrol group including women with exclusive male factor. Serum levels of TSH, antithyroid peroxidase (anti-TPO) andantithyroglobulin (anti-TG) were measured in all patients.Results: The TSH level was abnormal in 22 out of 255 women (9.8%). 44 (17.3%) were positive for anti-TPOantibodies, 26 (10.2%) were positive for anti-TG antibodies. Seventy patients (27.5%) had TSH levels above 2.5 mIU/L.No significant difference was found between different causes of infertility in TSH or antithyroid antibodies. There was apositive correlation between frequencies of both positive anti-TG and secondary infertility in group B.Conclusion: There is no significant relationship between thyroid dysfunction and the type of infertility (functional ormechanical), or its duration. According to our study, the prevalence of antithyroid antibodies seems to be the same ininfertile women and control. Antithyroglobulin might be associated with secondary infertility due to tubal factor.