The impact of thyroid disorders on the clinical outcome of assisted reproductive techniques: a systematic approach over the last 10 years

JBRA Assist Reprod. 2023 Aug 14;27(4):709-716. doi: 10.5935/1518-0557.20230024. Online ahead of print.

Abstract

Objective: To verify from a systematic literature review the possible effects of thyroid diseases on assisted reproduction techniques.

Data sources: The studies were analyzed from the PubMed, Cochrane Library, LILACS databases.

Selection of studies: The articles selected for the review included: cross-sectional studies, cohort studies, and clinical trials that addressed the proposed theme and which were published within the period stipulated from January 1, 2012, to March 5, 2022, in English, Portuguese and Spanish. These would later have to go through stages of inclusion as a framework of the type of study and exclusion criteria that were review articles, case reports, abstracts, articles with animal models, and duplicate articles and letters to the editor.

Data collection: Author's name; Number of patients; Clinical outcome; Use of drugs; Control group (in case it had); Clinical outcome.

Data synthesis: In in vitro fertilization and intracytoplasmic sperm injection it was verified that thyroid diseases can lead to effects such as a reduction in the rate of recovered oocytes, a decrease in the number of embryos, lower pregnancy rates, and increased chances of congenital anomalies in these patients and a reduction in the rate of implantation. Levothyroxine can increase the number of cycle cancellations.

Conclusions: Thyroid diseases may have deleterious effects on the clinical outcome of in vitro fertilization and intracytoplasmic sperm injection.

Keywords: autoimmune disease; cancer; fertility; hypothyroidism.

Publication types

  • Review