title: Thyroid dysfunction and subfertility.
abstract: The thyroid hormones act on nearly every cell in the body. Moreover, the thyroid gland continuously interacts with the ovaries, and the thyroid hormones are involved in almost all phases of reproduction. Thyroid dysfunctions are relatively common among women of reproductive age, and can affect fertility in various ways, resulting in anovulatory cycles, high prolactin levels, and sex hormone imbalances. Undiagnosed and untreated thyroid disease can be a cause of subfertility. Subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH), also known as mild thyroid failure, is diagnosed when peripheral thyroid hormone levels are within the normal reference laboratory range, but serum thyroid-stimulating hormone levels are mildly elevated. Thyroid autoimmunity (TAI) is characterized by the presence of anti-thyroid antibodies, which include anti-thyroperoxidase and anti-thyroglobulin antibodies. SCH and TAI may remain latent, asymptomatic, or even undiagnosed for an extended period. It has also been demonstrated that controlled ovarian hyperstimulation has a significant impact on thyroid function, particularly in women with TAI. In the current review, we describe the interactions between thyroid dysfunctions and subfertility, as well as the proper work-up and management of thyroid dysfunctions in subfertile women.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Chonnam National University Medical School, Gwangju, Korea.
authors.forename: Moon Kyoung
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Cho
keywords: Autoimmunity; Hypothyroidism; Infertility; Thyroid hormones
references.citation: J Assist Reprod Genet. 2003 Jun;20(6):210-5
references.pmid: 12877251
references.citation: J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2004 Oct;89(10):5213-21
references.pmid: 15472228
references.citation: Am J Reprod Immunol. 2011 Aug;66(2):108-14
references.pmid: 21241400
references.citation: J Autoimmun. 2012 May;38(2-3):J275-81
references.pmid: 22218218
references.citation: N Engl J Med. 2004 Jul 15;351(3):241-9
references.pmid: 15254282
references.citation: Clin Endocrinol (Oxf). 1999 May;50(5):655-9
references.pmid: 10468932
references.citation: Am J Reprod Immunol. 1996 Oct;36(4):228-34
references.pmid: 8911631
references.citation: Am J Reprod Immunol. 1998 Apr;39(4):223-5
references.pmid: 9553645
references.citation: J Postgrad Med. 1993 Jul-Sep;39(3):137-41
references.pmid: 8051643
references.citation: Biochim Biophys Acta. 2012 Dec;1822(12):1943-50
references.pmid: 22683339
references.citation: Hum Reprod Update. 2011 Sep-Oct;17(5):605-19
references.pmid: 21622978
references.citation: Nat Clin Pract Endocrinol Metab. 2008 Jul;4(7):394-405
references.pmid: 18506157
references.citation: Fertil Steril. 2011 Jan;95(1):230-7, 237.e1-2
references.pmid: 20691434
references.citation: Clin Endocrinol (Oxf). 2007 Mar;66(3):309-21
references.pmid: 17302862
references.citation: J Reprod Immunol. 2005 Jun;66(1):53-67
references.pmid: 15949562
references.citation: Endocr Pract. 2012 Nov-Dec;18(6):988-1028
references.pmid: 23246686
references.citation: J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2006 Jul;91(7):2587-91
references.pmid: 16621910
references.citation: Fertil Steril. 2011 Apr;95(5):1650-4
references.pmid: 21193190
references.citation: Thyroid. 2002 Nov;12(11):997-1001
references.pmid: 12490077
references.citation: Hum Reprod. 2005 Jun;20(6):1529-33
references.pmid: 15878930
references.citation: Best Pract Res Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2004 Jun;18(2):153-65
references.pmid: 15157833
references.citation: J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2012 Aug;97(8):2543-65
references.pmid: 22869843
references.citation: Thyroid. 2011 Oct;21(10):1081-125
references.pmid: 21787128
references.citation: Eur J Endocrinol. 2004 Jun;150(6):751-5
references.pmid: 15191343
references.citation: Chin J Physiol. 2013 Oct 31;56(5):298-305
references.pmid: 24032715
references.citation: J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2004 Aug;89(8):3808-12
references.pmid: 15292309
references.citation: Fertil Steril. 2000 Mar;73(3):536-40
references.pmid: 10689009
references.citation: Endocr Pract. 2010 Sep-Oct;16(5):792-7
references.pmid: 20350920