Reproductive Outcomes in Cases of Subclinical Hypothyroidism and Thyroid Autoimmunity: A Narrative Review

Abstract

Thyroid diseases are relatively common in women in the reproductive period. It is currently understood that clinically-evident thyroid disorders may impair ovulation and, consequently, fertility. However, to date it has not been proven that high serum levels of thyroid-stimulating hormone and/or positivity for antithyroid antibodies are associated to a reduction in fertility, mainly in the absence of altered thyroxine levels. The present comprehensive review aims to present current data on the association between subclinical hypothyroidism and/or thyroid autoimmunity and reproductive outcomes.

Resumo

As doenças da tireoide são relativamente comuns em mulheres no período reprodutivo. Atualmente, entende-se que distúrbios da tireoide clinicamente evidentes podem prejudicar a ovulação e, consequentemente, a fertilidade. No entanto, não se provou até o presente que níveis séricos altos do hormônio estimulador da tireoide e/ou positividade para anticorpos antitireoidianos estão associados a uma redução na fertilidade, sobretudo na ausência de níveis alterados de tiroxina. Esta revisão narrativa tem como objetivo apresentar dados atuais sobre a associação entre hipotireoidismo subclínico e/ou autoimunidade tireoidiana e resultados reprodutivos.

Keywords

thyroid diseases - thyroid function tests - thyroid hormones - hypothyroidism - autoimmunity - female infertility

Palavras-chave

doenças da tireoide - testes de função da tireoide - hormônios da tireoide - hipotireoidismo - autoimunidade - infertilidade feminina

Publikationsverlauf

Eingereicht: 19. Mai 2020

Angenommen: 03. Juni 2020

Artikel online veröffentlicht:
21. Dezember 2020

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