A Study on Serum FSH, LH and Prolactin Levels in Women with Thyroid Disorders

Thyroid disorders both hypo and hyperthyroidism are frequently seen in women, the incidence of hypothyroidism is being much higher than hyperthyroidism. Reported studies in these two conditions on reproductive physiology in women and in experimental female animals have shown that both hypo and hyperthyroidism are associated with delay in onset of puberty, anovulation, various menstrual irregularities, infertility and spontaneous abortions. The present study conducted on the levels of FSH, LH and Prolactin in 36 women subjects between the age group 18 – 35 years out of which 10 are control, 26 are with thyroid disorders. In this 26 thyroid disorder patients 16 are hypothyroid cases and 10 are hyperthyroid cases. The result of the present study indicates that there is significant (>0.001) increased basal levels of serum LH as compared to FSH. Thus the ratio of LH: FSH altered from 1:1 to 6:1, and also there is significant (>0.001) increase in serum prolactin levels in hypothyroidism, where as no change in hyperthyroidism seen. From the present study it is concluded that the alteration in menstrual cycle and decreased reproductive performance of women are similar to polycystic ovarian disease and can be explained on the basis of altered hormone profile of LH, FSH and prolactin. Here increased levels of prolactin and LH with normal FSH in hypothyroid cases seen, indicating their susceptibility for the development of polycystic ovarian syndrome. There are normal levels of prolactin and FSH along with increased LH levels in hyperthyroid cases. In both hypo and hyperthyroidism menstrual irregularities and altered gonadotropin pattern are observed. This indicates that thyroid hormones play an important role in reproductive physiology.