The effect of levothyroxine and prednisolone treatment on pregnancy in in vitro fertilization patients with positive thyroid autoantibodies.

AIM: To investigate the effects of levothyroxine and prednisolone treatment, or in combination, on positive thyroid autoantibodies in infertile patients undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF) therapy. METHODS: This retrospective study included a total of 190 patients with positive thyroid autoantibodies (anti-T and anti-TPO) who underwent IVF treatment between January 2008 and March 2016. Patients were divided into four groups: group 1-levothyroxine group (n = 50), group 2-prednisolone group (n = 50), group 3-levothyroxine and prednisolone combination (n = 25), group 4-control group (n = 65). Anti-T and anti-TPO levels before IVF and at the time of embryo transfer (ET), b-hcg positivity, clinical and biochemical pregnancy, miscarriage rate, and live birth rate were compared among groups. RESULTS: In levothyroxine-treated group, mean anti-TPO levels significantly decreased at the time of ET compared to before IVF treatment levels (p = 0.036). In group 3, mean anti-T and anti-TPO levels significantly decreased at the time of ET compared to levels before IVF treatment (p < 0.05). Patients who became pregnant in group 1, mean anti-T anti-TPO levels significantly decreased compared to before IVF treatment levels (p < 0.05). The biochemical pregnancy rate was significantly higher in group 2 (p = 0.03). Abortion rates were the highest in group 3, but no significant difference was found among groups. The group treated with levothyroxine had a significantly increased rate of live birth compared to the control group (p = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: Levothyroxine addition during IVF treatment of patients with positive thyroid antibodies in subclinical hypothyroidism increases the take-home baby pregnancy rate. Whether subclinical hypothyroidism or not in IVF treatment, levothyroxine is more effective than low-dose corticosteroids.

Sleep Disorders in Pregnancy, Influencing Factors and Quality of Life.

AIM: In our study, the frequency of sleep disturbances in pregnancy, the reasons underlying the low quality of sleep, clinical factors, and the effects on quality of life were investigated. METHODS: The study was planned as a prospective study and included 189 pregnant women. Clinical features, laboratory results, socio-demographic status, obstetric and medical anamnesis were evaluated. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, Epworth Sleepiness Scale, the Berlin Questionnaire, Beck Depression Inventory, SF-36 quality-of-life questionnaire, and restless leg syndrome (RLS) diagnosis criteria were used for data collection. RESULTS: We investigated sleep disorders in 110 pregnant women (58.2%). A history of premenstrual syndrome and patients with hyperemesis gravidarum, obstructive sleep apnea syndrome, Vitamin B12 deficiency, and higher TSH levels in the laboratory were found to be associated with sleep disorders. Sleep disorders and daytime sleepiness were associated with depression, physical and social functioning, pain, and disturbance in general health perception. The number of pregnant women who had two or more RLS complaints was 84 (44%). CONCLUSION: The results of our study show that sleep disorders in pregnancy can be managed with easily applicable methods according to the risk factors and related problems.