Abstract

Objectives: To compare Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) concentrations in women with ovulatory disorders versus healthy controls, determination of incidence of subclinical hypothyroidism, and assessment of clinico-pathological correlations such as Body mass index (BMI), age and menstrual irregularities.
Methodology: This case-control study included 120 women; 60 with ovulatory disorders, and 60 of them were of the same age, with no such disorders. Serum TSH, BMI and age for all subjects were recorded. To measure differences between groups, T-tests and Chi-square tests were employed. Further subgroup analysis focused on the distribution of clinical factors among those with high and low TSH levels.
Results: As compared to the control group (2.45±0.95 mIU/L, p=0.0001), women with ovulatory abnormalities had a statistically significant increase in mean TSH levels (3.82±1.12 mIU/L) (p=0. 0001). In the disorder group, subclinical hypothyroidism (TSH >4.0 mIU/L) was significantly more frequent with the rate of 36.7% v 8.3% in the controls (p=0.0002). In individuals with abnormal TSH levels, menstrual irregularity was more common (85.2% vs. 34.4%, p25 kg/m²) was also significantly associated (74.1% vs. 31.2%, p=0.0008), whereas age >30 years did not show a significant difference (p=0.144).
Conclusion: High TSH levels and subclinical hypothyroidism are strongly associated with ovulatory disorders, with BMI and menstrual irregularities have a greater influence. Such findings highlight the need for assessment of thyroid function in reproductive-age women with ovulatory dysfunction to allow timely diagnosis and action.

Key words: Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), subclinical hypothyroidism, ovulatory disorders, BMI, menstrual irregularity, reproductive endocrinology.