Thyroid Health and its Correlation to Female Fertility: A Pilot Study

Abstract:

Background: Most of the problems in female reproductive system are due to dysfunction in hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis. Our study is evaluating thyroid profile in the presence and absence of autoantibodies and how it effect the fertility of Omani women, through serum thyroid evaluation, estimation of prolactin level, autoantibodies and women fertility characteristics. Materials and Methods: This is a clinical cross sectional study, involves systemic random sampling of 182 patients women aged between 19-45 years visiting the study centre from September 2017 to May 2018. Study conducted according to the guidelines and ethics of the selected fertility center. Accordingly the identity and their related information is not disclosed. Data was collected retrospectively by looking at the patient profile, lab results and analyzing their blood samples by using ELISA kit to estimate Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH), Free Triiodothyronine (FT3), Free Thyroxine (FT4), Thyroperoxidase (TPO), Vitamin D and prolactin. The project was funded from Oman medical college. Results: The risk of female infertility is high in hyperthyroidism compared to hypothyroidism. There is no correlation between TPO, FT3 and type of menstrual cycle with fertility. There is a high significant relation between FT4 and TSH with fertility. Our results indicated that the risk of infertility was more in patient from Muscat followed by Ad Dakhiliyah, other nationalities, Al Batinah North, Al Batinah South, Dhofar, Ad Dhahirah, Ash Sharqiyah North and Ash Sharqiyah South. Conclusion: We have concluded form our research that FT4 and TSH are the most cause of infertility and FT3 has is considered as a cause but not as much as FT4 and TSH.

Key words: Infertility, Hypothyroidism, Hyperthyroidism, Thyroid profile, Female.