Association of TSH Concentrations and Thyroid Autoimmunity with IVF Outcome in Women with TSH Concentrations within Normal Adult Range

BACKGROUND/AIMS: This study aimed to evaluate the association of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) concentrations and presence of thyroid autoimmunity (TAI) with the live birth rate in euthyroid women undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF). METHODS: This study of retrospective design included 158 euthyroid women (TSH 0.5-4.5 µIU/ml) who underwent IVF from January 2006 to December 2010. Thyroid parameters were measured on day 3 of the previous nontreatment cycle. Women were subgrouped and analyzed according to their TSH concentrations (low: 0.5-2.5 vs. high: 2.6-4.5 µIU/ml) and TAI (present vs. absent). RESULTS: No difference in the live birth rate was found between the TSH (low: 34.2% vs. high: 36.8%, p = 0.763) or TAI (present: 26.7% vs. absent: 34.3%, p = 0.568) subgroups. CONCLUSION: This study found no evidence that increased TSH concentrations or the presence of TAI determined before IVF affect the live birth rate in euthyroid women. A better insight into the role of thyroid function during application of IVF is needed.