Abstract
Thyroid Dysfunction as a Contributing Factor to Subfertility in Women: Evidence From a Cross-Sectional Study
Umme Sumyia1, Nafisa Abedin2, Md. Shayedat Ullah3, Khaled Hassan3, Shirazum Munira4, Farhad Ahmed5, Indira Roy6, Afroza Begum7, Md. Arifuzzaman8, Israt Rezwana9, Mita Dutta10, Md. Shafikul Islam11, Mohammad Aminul Islam12
Keywords: Subfertility, hypothyroidism, subclinical hypothyroidism, overt hypothyroidism, thyroid dysfunction
DOI: 10.63475/yjm.v4i3.0220
DOI URL: https://doi.org/10.63475/yjm.v4i3.0220
Publish Date: 31-12-2025
Download PDFPages: 554 - 563
Views: 2
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Author Affiliation:
1 Consultant, Department of Endocrinology, National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery, Dhaka, Bangladesh
2 Graduate Research Assistant, Clinical and Translational Science Program, West Virginia University, Morgantown, West Virginia
3 Assistant Professor, Department of Endocrinology, National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery, Dhaka, Bangladesh
4 Consultant, Department of Endocrinology, National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery, Dhaka, Bangladesh
5 Assistant Professor, Department of Neurotrauma, National Institute of Neurosciences & Hospital, Dhaka, Bangladesh
6 Consultant, Department of Endocrinology, National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery, Dhaka, Bangladesh
7 Assistant Professor, Department of Endocrinology, National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery, Dhaka, Bangladesh
8 Associate Professor, Department of Neurology, Dhaka Medical College Hospital, Dhaka, Bangladesh
9 Registrar, Department of Endocrinology, Sir Salimullah Medical College & Mitford Hospital, Dhaka, Bangladesh
10 Consultant, Department of Endocrinology, Bangladesh Medical University (BMU), Shahbag, Dhaka, Bangladesh
11 Consultant, Upazila Health Complex, Nasirnagar, Brahmanbaria, Bangladesh
12 Consultant, National Academy for Planning and Development, Dhaka, Bangladesh
Abstract
Background: Hypothyroidism is an important cause of female subfertility. It is increasingly recognized that early detection and treatment can improve reproductive outcomes. This study assessed the frequency and types of hypothyroidism among women presenting with subfertility.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 59 subfertile women at BIRDEM General Hospital, Dhaka, Bangladesh, from March 2018 to February 2023. Thyroid status was classified as euthyroid (thyroid-stimulating hormone [TSH], 0.45–4.12 mIU/L), subclinical hypothyroid (TSH, 4.12–10 mIU/L), or overt hypothyroid (TSH >10 mIU/L). Researchers analyzed clinical, biochemical, and demographic data using SPSS v. 25. Statistical tests included t-test, Mann–Whitney U test, chi-square, Fisher’s exact test, and logistic regression. Significance was set at P < 0.05. Ethical approval was obtained from the BIRDEM Ethical Review Committee.
Results: Participants had a mean age of 30.9 ± 0.6 years and a body mass index of 28.2 ± 4.0 kg/m². Thyroid dysfunction was found in 32.2% of women—20.3% with subclinical and 11.9% with overt hypothyroidism—while 67.8% were euthyroid. Primary subfertility accounted for 76.3% of cases. Family history of thyroid disease, TSH level, and thyroid peroxidase (TPO) antibody status significantly differed between thyroid-function groups (P < 0.05). Nearly half (49.2%) had a TSH level greater than 2.5 mIU/L, which was strongly associated with TPO
antibody positivity (P = 0.002).
Conclusions: A notable proportion of subfertile women had thyroid dysfunction, mostly subclinical hypothyroidism. Routine thyroid screening—especially for women with elevated TSH or a family history of thyroid disease—should be integrated into infertility workups to support early management and improved reproductive outcomes.