Thyroid Dysfunction in Infertile Women

Background: Adequate levels of circulating thyroid hormones are of primary importance for normal reproductive function. Thyroid dysfunction has a great impact on fertility in women. Aim: To assess the thyroid status in primary infertile women. Materials and Methods: A total of 100 subjects comprising of 50 primary infertile women as cases and 50 age matched healthy euthyroid fertile women as controls were included in the study. Results: Mean serum T3 and T4 were significantly increased (p<0.01), while TSH levels were significantly decreased (p<0.01) in infertile women when compared to controls. 42% of the infertile women were having thyroid dysfunction, out of which 20% were subclinical hyperthyroidism, 6% overt hyperthyroidism, 12% subclinical hypothyroidism and 4% were overt hypothyroidism. Conclusion: The study indicates association of thyroid dysfunction in infertility. Subclinical thyroid dysfunction was dominant thyroid disease in infertile women. Thyroid profile should be kept in consideration during the diagnosis and management of infertility.