title: Overt hypothyroidism is associated with the presence of uterine leiomyoma: a retrospective analysis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  A possible correlation between uterine leiomyoma and thyroid disease was reported decades ago. We aimed to evaluate the possible associations between the presence of uterine leiomyomas and (i) the presence of overt hypothyroidism, (ii) the level of anti-thyroid peroxidase antibodies (TPO-Ab) and thyroglobulin antibodies (TG-Ab), and (iii) thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) levels.
  
  
  METHODS
  In a retrospective study, all 215 sterile women who underwent reproductive surgery (hysteroscopy and laparoscopy/laparotomy) at our department from January 2007 to January 2011 were included. All leiomyomas suspected on gynecologic ultrasound were verified during surgery. As risk factors for uterine leiomyomas, thyroid parameters, age, African heritage, age at menarche, parity, and body mass index were included.
  
  
  RESULTS
  One or more uterine leiomyomas were found in 51 cases (23.7%). After multivariate analysis, three parameters remained significant, with African heritage the most important (odds ratio, OR, 27.80), followed by overt hypothyroidism (OR 3.10) and increasing age (OR 1.23). Larger leiomyomas were found in women with overt hypothyroidism than in those without overt hypothyroidism (median, 70 mm; range, 5-88 vs. median, 30 mm; range, 2-93, respectively; p=0.007).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Overt hypothyroidism, but not autoantibodies against the thyroid gland, was associated with the presence of uterine leiomyoma in our study.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gynecological Endocrinology and Reproductive Medicine, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
authors.forename: Johannes
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ott
authors.affiliation: Department of Gynecological Endocrinology and Reproductive Medicine, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
authors.forename: Christine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Kurz
authors.affiliation: Department of Gynecological Endocrinology and Reproductive Medicine, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
authors.forename: Ronald
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Braun
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
authors.forename: Regina
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Promberger
authors.affiliation: Department of Craniomaxillofacial and Oral Surgery, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
authors.forename: Rudolf
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Seemann
authors.affiliation: Department of Gynecological Endocrinology and Reproductive Medicine, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
authors.forename: Elisabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Vytiska-Binstorfer
authors.affiliation: Department of Gynecological Endocrinology and Reproductive Medicine, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria. Electronic address: katharina.walch@meduniwien.ac.at.
authors.forename: Katharina
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Walch
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000097:blood; D044383:Black People; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007037:Hypothyroidism / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications*; D007247:Infertility, Female / Q000150:complications; D007889:Leiomyoma / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D013972:Thyrotropin / Q000097:blood; D047368:Tumor Burden; D014594:Uterine Neoplasms / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D001323:Autoantibodies; C006606:anti-thyroglobulin; C056626:thyroid microsomal antibodies; D013972:Thyrotropin
keywords: Autoimmune thyroiditis; Hypothyroidism; Risk factors; Sterility; Uterine leiomyoma