Role of thyroid dysfunction and thyroid autoimmunity in infertile women: study done in 450 bedded maternity hospital of Delhi, India

Background: the aim was to study the prevalence of abnormal thyroid function and thyroid autoimmunity in infertile women and in general population (control group) and to correlate the thyroid dysfunction with presence of anti-thyroid antibodies. It was a case control study. The study was carried out at Department of obstetrics and gynaecology, Kasturba Hospital, Delhi. Population of the study was fifty infertile women in whom other causes of infertility are excluded and fifty fertile women attending out- patient department with other complaints.Methods: All the women enrolled in the study were non pregnant, clinically euthyroid (with no signs and symptoms of thyroid disorders and no documented abnormal thyroid function test) and no known autoimmune disorder. Detailed history and a thorough general physical examination, including thyroid examination was done. Haemogram, blood group, fasting and post prandial blood sugar, VDRL, transabdominal ultrasound, TSH, free T3, free T4, and antithyroid per-oxidase antibody assay was done using the ELISA technique.Results: The mean age of the study group was found 28.38±2.45 years, 22% had abnormal thyroid function, 20% had antithyroid antibodies positive and the mean TSH of the study group was 4.61±1.72µIU/ml. The mean age of the control group was found to be 29.10±2.01 years, 12% had abnormal thyroid function, 10% had antithyroid antibodies positive and the mean TSH of the control group was 3.89±1.56µIU/ml.Conclusions: Thyroid dysfunction and anti-thyroid antibodies were more prevalent in patients with infertility. A statistically significant correlation was established between thyroid autoimmunity and thyroid dysfunction in infertile women in the study.