Thyroid Profile in Infertile Women

Abstract

Introduction: Infertility is defined as inability to conceive after one year of regular unprotected intercourse. Thyroid disorders can lead to infertility arising from different pathophysiological mechanisms. The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence and type of thyroid disorder in infertile women and to compare the prevalence of thyroid disorder in primary and secondary infertility.

Methods: A hospital-based descriptive cross-sectional study conducted in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital, Kathmandu, Nepal from 1st Baishak 2068 to 30th Chaitra 2068 (14th April 2011 to 12th April 2012).

Results: Among 156 infertile women enrolled and analyzed in the present study, thyroid disorder was found in 12 women giving the prevalence of thyroid disorder in infertile women as 7.7%. Hypothyroidism was more common comprising 6.4% of all infertile women, out of which subclinical hypothyroidism was 3.8% and clinical hypothyroidism was 2.6%. Hyperthyroidism was seen in 1.3% of all infertile women of which subclinical hyperthyroidism was 0.64% and clinical hyperthyroidism was 0.64%. Prevalence of thyroid disorder in primary infertility was 9.8% and in secondary infertility it was 3.7%. Among the 12 infertile women with thyroid disorder, four infertile women (33%) conceived. Three cases of hypothyroidism conceived after treatment and one case of subclinical hyperthyroidism conceived without any treatment.

Conclusions: This study shows that thyroid dysfunction shows a significant role in infertility. Proper management of the thyroid dysfunction can result regain of fertility. Therefore, routine screening is required to all cases of infertility for possible thyroid disorders.