Frequency of Hypothyroidism and Subclinical Hypothyroidism in Females with Secondary Infertility Presenting at a Tertiary Care Hospital: Hypothyroidism and Subclinical Hypothyroidism in Females with Secondary Infertility

Hafiz Mouhammad Mouzam Ali; Aneela Nadeem; Faryal Sadaqat; Amna Batool; Sadia Chaudhary; Mahpara Shaukat; Hafiz Muhammad Zeeshan Raza

doi:10.54393/pjhs.v6i10.3234

Authors

Hafiz Mouhammad Mouzam Ali Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Lahore General Hospital, Lahore, Pakistan
Aneela Nadeem Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Hayat Memorial Hospital, Lahore, Pakistan
Faryal Sadaqat Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Combined Military Hospital, Rawalpindi, Pakistan
Amna Batool Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Kalsoom Social Security Hospital, Okara, Pakistan
Sadia Chaudhary Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Iqra Medical Complex, Lahore, Pakistan
Mahpara Shaukat Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Sahiwal Medical College, Sahiwal, Pakistan
Hafiz Muhammad Zeeshan Raza Department of Biosciences, Comsats University Islamabad, Sahiwal, Pakistan

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.54393/pjhs.v6i10.3234

Keywords:

Secondary Infertility, Hypothyroidism, Subclinical Hypothyroidism, Thyroid Dysfunction, Reproductive Health, Thyroid Screening

Abstract

Hypothyroidism, particularly subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH), is a frequent endocrine disorder linked to reproductive dysfunction, including secondary infertility. In Pakistan, where infertility rates are rising, understanding the prevalence and impact of thyroid dysfunction among women with secondary infertility is critical for improving fertility management. Objectives: To investigate the correlation between secondary infertility and subclinical hypothyroidism among Pakistani women. Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted on 130 women aged 20–40 years presenting with secondary infertility at a tertiary care hospital in Pakistan. Participants underwent clinical assessment, including measurement of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), free triiodothyronine (FT3), and free thyroxine (FT4) levels. SCH was defined as TSH between 4.5 and 20 mIU/L with normal FT3 and FT4. Data on demographic variables, parity, and duration of infertility were collected. Statistical analysis involved chi-square tests to examine associations between hypothyroidism and demographic/clinical factors. Results: Hypothyroidism was identified in 28.5% of participants, comprising 20.8% with subclinical and 7.7% with overt hypothyroidism. The highest prevalence of subclinical hypothyroidism was observed among women aged 31–40 years (28.6%) and those with BMI ≥25 kg/m² (21.1%). However, it revealed no statistically significant associations between hypothyroidism and age (p=0.256), BMI (p=0.827), parity (p=1.000), or duration of infertility (p=1.000). Conclusions: Thyroid dysfunction, particularly subclinical hypothyroidism, is highly prevalent in women with secondary infertility, despite the absence of significant associations with common demographic or reproductive variables. These findings support routine thyroid screening as an essential component of infertility assessment.

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