Abstract

Introduction:Thyroid peroxidase antibodies (TPO-Ab) in women are associated with fertility and early pregnancy loss. Many studies confirmed this relationship and explained their way of acting.

Materiel and methods:This is a descriptive retrospective study done by a single institution in Beirut, Lebanon, between 2015 and 2016. All women diagnosed having infertility problems were randomly chosen to be tested for thyroid peroxidase antibodies. 196 women approved to participate. Obstetrical data were collected from these women and their characteristics were analyzed and compared.

Result:69 patients had positive thyroid peroxidase antibodies aTPO (39.4%) and 106 women had negative results. These 69 patients have a higher number of miscarriages without any significant difference. Among 86 patients who had at least a history of one miscarriage, 34 women (39.5%) had positive aTPO versus 35 (39.3%) among 89 patients with no history of miscarriages (no significant difference, p=0.55).

Conclusion:Thyroid peroxidase antibodies (TPO-Ab) can be an independent risk factor for infertility. Larger studies should be done to confirm this relationship.