Abstract: Infertility is defined as the inability of a couple to achieve conception after one year of unprotected coitus. In an era of advanced assisted reproduction technology (ART), we must not overlook screening for a condition like hypothyroidism. The present study was therefore undertaken to find out the incidence of hypothyroidism in infertility so as to ascertain the cost effectiveness of thyroid function test in routine infertility workup.
Materials and Methods: The present study was a prospective observational study done at infertility clinic and outpatient department (OPD) of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Government College and Hospital, Nagpur, Maharashtra, India.
Results: Out of total 150 cases, duration of infertility was maximum in the group 4 to 6 years comprising of 83 (55%) cases, followed by 59 (33%) cases in 1 to 3 years group and 4 each in 7 to 10 and >11 years groups. Primary in fertility was encountered in 127 (85%) of the cases, while secondary infertility was seen in 23 cases. Primary infertility was seen in 2 cases of clinical hypothyroidism, 8 cases of subclinical hypothyroidism and 2 cases of hyperthyroidism, while secondary infertility was detected in 1 case each in clinical hypothyroidism, subclinical hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism.
Conclusion: In all cases of persistent anovulation following failure of ovulation induction drugs, thyroid dysfunction should be evaluated to rule out subclinical hypothyroidism as a major cause of infertility even though overt signs and symptoms of hypothyroidism are absent.
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