2. Methods
This cross-sectional study included 120 women with HT. Women with HT
were divided into two groups, fertile women (n=75), and women with
unexplained infertility (n=45). Patients were recruited from outpatient
clinics of the Endocrinology Unit of Internal Medicine and Obstetrics
and Gynecology Departments, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University,
Egypt. Diagnosis HT was obtained based on clinical findings, positive
serum antibodies; TPO Ab and/or Tg Ab.
Inclusion Criteria: Adult females suffer from both HT and UEI
- Diagnosis of HT: All participants underwent complete history taking,
thorough clinical examination, full clinical assessment and
anthropometric measures. Thyroid function tests assessed thyroid
dysfunction.
- Diagnosis of UEI: Infertility is customarily defined as the inability
to conceive after 1 year of regular unprotected intercourse. The
infertility evaluation is typically initiated after 1 year of trying
to conceive, but in couples with advanced female age (>
35 years), most practitioners initiate diagnostic evaluation after an
inability to conceive for 6 months. The Practice Committee of the
American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) published guidelines
for a necessary infertility evaluation; It includes a semen analysis,
assessment of ovulation, a hysterosalpingogram, tests for ovarian
reserve and laparoscopy. If the results of
a standard infertility
evaluation are normal, a
diagnosis of unexplained infertility is made. Ovarian volume and
antral follicular count (AFC)
were evaluated by transvaginal
ultrasound (TVS) [9].
Exclusion criteria for all women included a history of hyperandrogenic
states (such as non-classical congenital adrenal hyperplasia,
androgen-secreting tumors, Cushing’s syndrome, or 21-hydroxylase
deficiency), hypertension, liver or kidney diseases. Also, we excluded
patients with a history of myocardial infarction, angina, stroke,
pregnancy, and diabetes.