Thyroid dysfunction and thyroid autoimmunity in euthyroid women in achieving fertility.

Area of Science:

• Reproductive Endocrinology
• Endocrinology
• Obstetrics

Background:

• Thyroid disease is a common endocrine condition in women of childbearing age.
• Thyroid hormones are crucial for reproductive health, influencing menstrual cycles and fertility.
• The role of thyroid screening in pregnant women remains debated.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review recent studies on assessing and treating thyroid dysfunction during pregnancy.
• To explore the impact of thyroid autoimmunity in euthyroid pregnant women on fertility.
• To examine new perspectives on thyroid health in achieving pregnancy.

Main Methods:

• An electronic literature search was performed.
• Databases searched included Medline/PubMed, EMBASE, EBSCO, and the Cochrane library.

Main Results:

• Thyroid dysfunction during pregnancy, including hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism, can lead to adverse maternal and fetal outcomes.
• Thyroid autoimmunity is linked to negative impacts on conception and pregnancy, but its effect on fertility in euthyroid women is unclear.
• Levothyroxine treatment in euthyroid pregnant women with thyroid antibodies may reduce miscarriage and premature delivery rates, though this is controversial.

Conclusions:

• More randomized trials are necessary to understand thyroid function changes during pregnancy.
• Further research should elucidate how thyroid autoimmunity affects fertility, particularly in assisted reproductive technology.
• The validity of levothyroxine administration in women with thyroid autoimmunity requires further investigation.