Impaired embryo development potential associated with thyroid autoimmunity in euthyroid infertile women with diminished ovarian reserve.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the associations of thyroid autoimmunity (TAI) with the number of oocytes retrieved (NOR), fertilization rate (FR), and embryo quality (EQ) in euthyroid women with infertility and diminished ovarian reserve (DOR). Methods: This retrospective cohort study involved 1,172 euthyroid women aged 20-40 years with infertility and DOR who underwent an oocyte retrieval cycle. TAI was diagnosed in the presence of serum thyroperoxidase antibody (TPOAb) concentrations higher than 34 IU/ml and/or serum thyroglobulin antibody (TgAb) concentrations exceeding 115.0 IU/ml. Among these women, 147 patients with TAI were classified as the TAI-positive group, while 1,025 patients without TAI were classified as the TAI-negative group. Using generalized linear models (GLMs) adjusted for confounding factors, we evaluated the associations of TAI and the serum TPOAb and TgAb concentrations and NOR, FR, and EQ in this study's subjects. The TPOAb and TGAb values were subjected to log10 transformation to reduce skewness. Logistic regression models were used to estimate the effects of TPOAb and TgAb concentrations on the probabilities of achieving a high NOR (≥7) and high FR (>60%). Results: For the whole study population, women with TAI had a significantly lower NOR and poorer EQ than women without TAI (P < 0.001 for both). Interestingly, in the TSH ≤2.5 subgroup, the TAI-positive group also had a significantly lower NOR and poorer EQ than the TAI-negative group (P < 0.001 for both). Furthermore, negative associations were observed between log10(TPOAb) concentrations and NOR and the number of high-quality embryos and available embryos (P < 0.05 for all). The log10(TgAb) concentrations were inversely associated with NOR and the number of high-quality embryos (P < 0.05 for all). In the regression analysis, the log10(TPOAb) concentrations had lower probabilities of achieving a high NOR [adjusted odds ratio (aOR): 0.56; 95% confidence interval (95% CI) 0.37, 0.85; P = 0.007]. Conclusions: TAI and higher TPOAb and TgAb concentrations were shown to be associated with reductions in the NOR and EQ in the study population. Our findings provide further evidence to support systematic screening and treatment for TAI in euthyroid women with infertility and DOR.

Thyroid ultrasonic changes relate to implantation failure in euthyroid women with thyroid autoimmunity undergoing in vitro fertilization/intracytoplasmic sperm injection.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether ultrasonic manifestations of Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT) related to embryo qualities or pregnancy outcomes in women with thyroid autoimmunity (TAI) undergoing in vitro fertilization/intracytoplasmic sperm injection. METHODS: Our study was a retrospective cohort study. A total of 589 euthyroid women enrolled from January 2017 to December 2019. 214 TAI women and 375 control women were allocated in each group according to serum levels of thyroid peroxidase antibodies (TPOAb) and/or anti-thyroglobulin antibodies (TgAb). Basal serum hormone levels and thyroid ultrasound were assessed, embryo qualities, pregnancy outcomes were collected from medical records. Diagnosis of thyroid ultrasound was used for subanalysis. Logistic regression was used to evaluate outcomes of embryo development and pregnancy. RESULTS: Implantation rate was significantly lower in euthyroid women with TAI compared with control group (TAI group: 65.5% vs. Control group: 73.0%, adjusted OR (95% CI): 0.65 (0.44, 0.97), p = 0.04). We further stratified TAI group into two groups: one group with HT features under ultrasound and another group with normal thyroid ultrasound. After regression analysis, TAI women with HT morphological changes had a lower chance of implantation compared with control group (TAI group with HT: 64.1% vs. Control group: 73.0%, adjusted OR (95% CI): 0.63 (0.41, 0.99), p = 0.04), while there was no significant difference on implantation rate between TAI women with normal thyroid ultrasound and control group. Other outcomes, such as embryo qualities and pregnancy rate, were comparable between TAI and control groups. CONCLUSIONS: A higher risk of implantation failure was seen among euthyroid women with TAI, especially women with HT morphological changes under ultrasound. The underlying mechanisms of implantation failure among euthyroid HT patients need further research.

An update on the endocrine manifestations of antiphospholipid syndrome.

Antiphospholipid Syndrome (APS), characterized by hypercoagulability and pregnancy morbidity, poses a significant clinical challenge when involving organ systems, such as the endocrine system. APS can directly and indirectly influence the anterior and posterior lobes of the pituitary gland. The thyroid gland exhibits involvement, especially in patients with positive anticardiolipin antibodies, yet the clinical significance of the relationship with APS remains elusive. The pancreas, often overlooked, manifests in diverse ways, from pancreatitis to implications in diabetes. Adrenal insufficiency emerges as a common endocrine manifestation of APS, with adrenal hemorrhage or infarction being a presenting manifestation. Adrenal gland involvement has also been reported in the context of catastrophic APS. Pregnancy complications and infertility might be effects of APS on the female ovaries, while testicular torsion and decreased sperm concentration and total sperm count have been reported as rare effects of APS on male testes.

Early appearance of thyroid autoimmunity in children followed from birth for type 1 diabetes risk.

PURPOSE: Autoantibodies to thyroid peroxidase (TPOAb) and thyroglobulin (TgAb) define pre-clinical autoimmune thyroid disease (AITD) which can progress to either clinical hypo- or hyperthyroidism. We determined the age at seroconversion in children genetically at risk for type 1 diabetes. METHODS: TPOAb and TgAb seropositivity were determined in 5066 healthy children with HLA DR3 or DR4 containing haplogenotypes from The Environmental Determinants of Diabetes in the Young (TEDDY) Study. Children seropositive on the cross-sectional initial screen at 8-13 years of age had longitudinally collected samples (from 3.5 months of age) screened retrospectively and prospectively for thyroid autoantibodies to identify the age at seroconversion. First-appearing autoantibody was related to sex, HLA genotype, family history of AITD, and subsequent thyroid dysfunction and disease. RESULTS: The youngest appearance of TPOAb and TgAb was 10 and 15 months of age, respectively. Girls had higher incidence rates of both autoantibodies. Family history of AITD was associated with a higher risk of TPOAb hazard ratio [HR] 1.90, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.17, 3.08; and TgAb HR 2.55, 95% CI 1.91, 3.41. The risk of progressing to hypo- or hyperthyroidism was not different between TgAb and TPOAb, but children with both autoantibodies appearing at the same visit had a higher risk compared to TPOAb appearing first (HR 6.34, 95% CI 2.72, 14.76). MAIN CONCLUSION: Thyroid autoantibodies may appear during the first years of life, especially in girls, and in children with a family history of AITD. Simultaneous appearance of both autoantibodies increases the risk for hypo- or hyperthyroidism.

Thyrotropin (TSH) and thyroid autoimmunity are predictive factors for the incidental discovery of papillary thyroid microcarcinoma during thyroidectomy.

PURPOSE: To identify clinical, biological and pathological risk factors for the incidental discovery of papillary thyroid microcarcinomas (PTMCs) in patients undergoing thyroidectomy for presumed benign conditions. METHODS: Cross sectional, single center study, involving all consecutive patients (N = 3015) who were submitted to thyroid surgery between 2001-2019. All medical files were retrospectively reviewed. A total of 1961 patients in the benign group and 145 patients in PTMC group were analyzed. RESULTS: No significant differences in age, sex, body mass index, smoking status, thyroid volume or weight and preoperative thyroxine treatment between benign and PTMC groups were observed. Circulating anti- thyroid antibodies, histological thyroiditis and serum thyrotropin (TSH) were significantly associated with PTMC in univariable analysis. Independent risk factors for incidental PTMC by multivariable analysis where possible (OR: 1.51, 95% CI: 0.99-2.28) and certain (OR: 1.74, 95% CI: 1.09-2.78) thyroid autoimmunity (p = 0.002) and higher serum TSH (OR: 1.25, 95% CI: 1.08-1.45, p = 0.03), whereas thyroid lobectomy was associated with a lower risk of PTMC (OR: 0.40, 95% CI: 0.24-0.67, p < 0.001). The most frequent genetic alteration was BRAFV600E mutation, found in 56.3% of PTMC submitted to DNA sequencing. No association between clinical, biological or histological characteristics of PTMC and BRAFV600E mutation was observed. CONCLUSIONS: Thyroid autoimmunity and higher preoperative serum TSH level were independent predictors of PTMC incidentally discovered during thyroid surgery. Larger prospective studies are needed to better identify possible risk factors for papillary thyroid carcinoma initiation and progression.

Thyroid autoimmunity in different phenotypes of polycystic ovary syndrome: a single-center experience.

PURPOSE: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) has been associated with Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT) and 4 phenotypes have been described in this syndrome. The aim of this work was to investigate the frequency of anti-thyroid antibodies (TAb) and thyroid function in the 4 phenotypes of PCOS. PATIENTS: This study included 448 patients with PCOS: 260 (58.0%) with phenotype A, 119 (26.6%) with phenotype B, 38 (8.5%) with phenotype C and 31 (6.9%) with phenotype D. RESULTS: TAb positivity was detected in 90/448 patients (20.1%) and was statistically significant higher (p = 0.03) in the grouped phenotypes A-B (83/379, 21.9%) than in phenotypes C-D (7/69, 10.1%). Positive anti-thyroglobulin antibodies (TgAb) were detected in 74/448 (16.5%) patients and positive anti-thyroperoxidase antibodies (TPOAb) in 66/448 (14.7%) patients. Both TgAb and TPOAb positivity was higher but not statistically significant in phenotype A-B than phenotype C-D. High titer TgAb (> 100 UI/ml) frequency was significantly higher (p = 0.005) in grouped phenotypes A-B (39/379, 10.3%) than in phenotypes C-D (0/69, 0.0%), while no significant difference was observed for low titer TgAb (≤ 100 UI/ml). According to a binary logistic regression analysis hypothyroidism was significantly associated with TAb positivity (OR 4.19; CI 2.25-7.79; p < 0.01) but not with PCOS phenotype. Androgen profile was not associated with TAb positivity. CONCLUSION: A higher frequency of positive TAb and of high titer TgAb and TPOAb have been detected in PCOS women with phenotypes A and B, probably in relation to the greater imbalances between estrogen and progesterone levels present in these phenotypes.

Selenium levels and their association with thyroid autoimmunity and severe preeclampsia in pregnancy: Insights from a prospective ideal breast milk cohort study.

Objective: This study aimed to assess selenium status in South Korean pregnant women and its impact on maternal thyroid function and pregnancy outcomes. Methods: 'Ideal Breast Milk (IBM) Cohort Study' included 367 pregnant women out of 442 participants and categorized into three groups based on plasma selenium levels: deficient (< 70 µg/L), suboptimal (70-99 µg/L), and optimal (≥ 100 µg/L). During the second or third trimester, various blood parameters, including selenium, thyroid-stimulating hormone, free T4, free T3, and anti-thyroid peroxidase antibody levels, were measured. Thyroid parenchymal echogenicity was assessed as another surrogate marker for thyroid autoimmunity using ultrasonography. Results: The median plasma selenium was 98.8 (range: 46.7-206.4) µg/L, and 30 individuals (8%) were categorized as deficient, while 164 (45%) were classified in the suboptimal group. Selenium deficiency was associated with markers of autoimmune thyroiditis, including positive anti-thyroid peroxidase antibody results (13.3 (deficient) vs 4.6 (optimal) %, P = 0.031) and thyroid parenchymal heterogeneity on ultrasound (33.3 (deficient) vs 14.6 (suboptimal) vs 17.3 (optimal) %, P = 0.042), independently of gestational age. The incidence of severe preeclampsia was higher in the group not taking selenium supplements, particularly among those with twin pregnancies, compared to the group taking selenium supplements (0 (selenium supplement) vs 9.0 (no supplement) %, P = 0.015). Conclusion: Pregnant women experience mild selenium deficiency, which can lead to significant health issues including maternal thyroid autoimmunity and obstetrical complications during pregnancy. Guidelines for appropriate selenium intake according to the stage of pregnancy and the number of fetuses are needed.

Prevalence and factors associated with thyroid autoimmunity among children newly diagnosed with type 1 diabetes before and during the COVID-19 pandemic: Evidence from Kuwait.

AIMS: This study reports the prevalence and characteristics related to the development of thyroid autoimmunity among children newly diagnosed with type I diabetes (T1D) during the COVID-19 pandemic in Kuwait. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a prospective observational study of all children under age 14 years newly diagnosed with T1D in Kuwait. We define the duration of the COVID-19 pandemic from the official declaration of the first identified positive COVID-19 case on 24 February 2020 until 31 December 2022. For comparison, we use the time period directly before the COVID-19 pandemic, 1 January 2017 to 23 February 2020. RESULTS: One thousand twenty-four (1024) children newly diagnosed with T1D in Kuwait during the study period were included. Among newly diagnosed children, 20.3% tested positive for thyroid antibodies during the COVID-19 pandemic, compared with 14.5% during the pre-pandemic period (p = 0.015). Children with positive COVID-19 status were more likely to present with thyroid antibodies (p = 0.035). After adjusting for other characteristics, patients diagnosed with T1D during the COVID-19 pandemic had double the odds of testing positive for thyroid antibodies (Adjusted odds ratio = 2.173, 95%CI: 1.108, 4.261, p = 0.024). CONCLUSIONS: Incident cases of T1D during the COVID-19 pandemic may be different in aetiology or contextual factors leading to a higher risk of thyroid autoimmunity. Longitudinal studies are needed to understand the role of COVID-19 in the onset and progression of T1D and on thyroid autoimmunity and disease.

Associations of Ambient Particulate Matter with Maternal Thyroid Autoimmunity and Thyroid Function in Early Pregnancy.

This prospective birth cohort study evaluated the association of exposure to PM2.5 (diameter ≤2.5 µm), PM1-2.5 (1-2.5 µm), and PM1 (≤1 µm) with maternal thyroid autoimmunity and function during early pregnancy. A total of 15,664 pregnant women were included at 6 to 13+6 gestation weeks in China from 2018 to 2020. Single-pollutant models using generalized linear models (GLMs) showed that each 10 µg/m3 increase in PM2.5 and PM1-2.5 was related with 6% (odds ratio [OR] = 1.06, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.01, 1.12) and 15% (OR = 1.15, 95% CI: 1.08, 1.22) increases in the risk of thyroid autoimmunity, respectively. The odds of thyroid autoimmunity significantly increased with each interquartile range increase in PM2.5 and PM1-2.5 exposure (P for trend <0.001). PM1 exposure was not significantly associated with thyroid autoimmunity. GLM with natural cubic splines demonstrated that increases in PM2.5 and PM1-2.5 exposure were associated with lower maternal FT4 levels, while a negative association between PM1 and FT4 levels was found when exposure exceeded 32.13 µg/m3. Only PM2.5 exposure was positively associated with thyrotropin (TSH) levels. Our findings suggest that high PM exposure is associated with maternal thyroid disruption during the early pregnancy.

Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection Versus In vitro Fertilization in Infertile Women with Thyroid Autoimmunity.

Background: It has been reported that intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) may be the preferred fertilization method for women with thyroid autoimmunity (TAI) seeking assisted reproduction. We compared the reproductive outcomes of women with TAI who were treated with ICSI compared with in vitro fertilization (IVF). Methods: In this retrospective cohort study, we included women with infertility who were referred to the Reproductive Centre of Peking University Third Hospital for their first IVF/ICSI and embryo transfer (ET) treatment cycle from January 2019 to February 2021. In total, 2171 and 743 women with TAI underwent IVF and ICSI, respectively, while 8702 and 2668 women without TAI underwent IVF and ICSI, respectively. We examined the cumulative live birth rate (primary outcome) from the initiated stimulative cycle as well as the secondary outcomes of fertilization rate, rates of clinical pregnancy, and live birth after the first ET cycle. We compared the reproductive outcomes of women treated with IVF and ICSI according to TAI status. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to adjust for relevant confounders. Results: Women who underwent ICSI had significantly higher fertilization rates than those who underwent IVF (median [interquartile range]: 0.6 [0.5-0.8] in the TAI-positive and IVF group vs. 0.7 [0.5-0.8] in the TAI-positive and ICSI group vs. 0.6 [0.5-0.8] the TAI-negative and IVF group vs. 0.7 [0.5-0.8] in the TAI-negative and ICSI group, p < 0.001). However, the rates of cumulative live births, clinical pregnancies, and live births were significantly lower among women with TAI who underwent ICSI than those who underwent IVF (cumulative live birth: 51.8% vs. 47%, adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 0.80 [confidence interval, CI: 0.67-0.97]; clinical pregnancy: 43.0% vs. 38.8%, aOR: 0.81 [CI: 0.67-0.97]; live birth: 36.2% vs. 32.4%, aOR: 0.81 [CI: 0.66-0.98]). Conclusion: We observed that the use of ICSI in women with TAI was not associated with better assisted reproductive outcomes compared with IVF. Further prospective clinical trials are needed to confirm our findings.

Levothyroxine for subclinical hypothyroidism during pregnancy: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

PURPOSE: We aimed to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis addressing the efficacy of levothyroxine therapy in pregnant women with subclinical hypothyroidism considering most recent evidence and subgroups of interest for clinical practice. METHODS: PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Central were searched from inception for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing levothyroxine with placebo or no intervention in pregnant women with subclinical hypothyroidism. We used a random-effects model and conducted subgroup analyses based on thyroid peroxidase antibody status, thyroid stimulating hormone levels, fertility treatment, and recurrent miscarriage. RESULTS: We included 11 RCTs comprising 2,749 pregnant women with subclinical hypothyroidism. Patients treated with levothyroxine (1,439; 52.3%) had significantly lower risk of pregnancy loss (risk ratio 0.69; 95% confidence interval 0.52-0.91; p < 0.01; 6 studies). However, there was no significant association between levothyroxine and live birth (risk ratio 1.01; 95% confidence interval 0.99-1.03; p = 0.29; 8 studies). No statistically significant interaction was observed across subgroups (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Levothyroxine replacement therapy for subclinical hypothyroidism during pregnancy may decrease pregnancy loss when early prescribed. Nevertheless, further investigation is needed in patients with thyroid stimulating hormone above four milliunits per liter, especially when associated with recurrent miscarriage or infertility.

Thyroid autoimmunity in euthyroid pregnant women is associated with slower productive language acquisition: the Odense child cohort study.

Objective: Maternal thyroid autoimmunity and thyroid function in early pregnancy may impact fetal neurodevelopment. We aimed to investigate how thyroid autoimmunity and thyroid function in early pregnancy were associated with language acquisition in offspring at 12-36 months of age. Methods: This study was embedded in the prospective Odense child cohort. Mother-child dyads were excluded in case of maternal intake of thyroid medication during pregnancy. The parents completed MacArthur-Bates Communicative Development Inventories (MB-CDI) every third month to assess their offspring's productive vocabulary. All completed reports for each child were included in the analyses. Logistic growth curve models evaluated associations between MB-CDI scores and levels of maternal thyroid peroxidase antibodies (TPOAb), free thyroxine (FT4), and thyrotropin, respectively, measured in early pregnancy (median gestational week 12). All models were stratified by offspring sex and adjusted for maternal age, education, pre-pregnancy body mass index, parity, breastfeeding, and offspring age. Results: The study included 735 mother-child dyads. Children born to mothers with TPOAb ≥11 kIU/L, opposed to TPOAb <11 kIU/L, had a lower probability of producing words at age 18-36 months for girls (OR = 0.78, P < 0.001) and 33-36 months for boys (OR = 0.83, P < 0.001). The probability of producing words was higher in girls at 30-36 months of age with low-normal maternal FT4 vs high-normal FT4 (OR = 0.60, P < 0.001), and a similar trend was seen in boys. Results were ambiguous for thyrotropin. Conclusion: In women without known thyroid disease, TPOAb positivity in early pregnancy was negatively associated with productive vocabulary acquisition in girls and boys. This association was not mediated by a decreased thyroid function, as low-normal maternal FT4, unexpectedly, indicated better vocabulary acquisition. Our results support that maternal thyroid autoimmunity per se may affect fetal neurodevelopment.

Levothyroxine Treatment in Pregnant Women with Thyrotropin Levels Ranging Between 2.5 and 10 mIU/L: A Propensity Score Matched Analysis.

Objective: To clarify the association between levothyroxine (LT4) treatment and various adverse pregnancy outcomes in pregnant women with thyrotropin (TSH) levels ranging between 2.5 and 10.0 mIU/L in the first trimester, stratified according to thyroid peroxidase antibody (TPOAb) positivity and TSH level. Methods: This retrospective analysis of retrospectively and prospectively collected cohort data included Chinese pregnant women with TSH levels of 2.5-10 mIU/L and normal free thyroxine levels (11.8-18.4 pmol/L) in the first trimester. All participants were followed up until the completion of pregnancy, and information on LT4 treatment, pregnancy complications, and pregnancy outcomes was recorded. A 1:1 nearest-neighbor propensity score matching (PSM) between the LT4-treated and - untreated groups with a caliper distance of 0.02 was performed using a multivariable logistic regression model. Multivariable-adjusted modified Poisson regression was used to estimate the relative risk (RR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) of LT4 treatment for adverse pregnancy outcomes. Subgroup analyses were also performed in four subgroups simultaneously stratified by TPOAb status (negative or positive) and TSH levels (2.5-4.0 mIU/L as high-normal group and 4.0-10.0 mIU/L as SCH group). The study was registered in the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR2100047394). Results: Among the 4,370 pregnant women in the study, 1,342 received LT4 treatment and 3,028 did not. The 1:1 PSM yielded 668 pairs of individuals and revealed that LT4 treatment was significantly associated with a decreased risk of pregnancy loss (RR = 0.528, 95% CI: 0.344-0.812) and an increased risk of small-for-gestational-age infants (RR = 1.595, 95% CI: 1.023-2.485). Subgroup analyses suggested that the above effects of LT4 treatment were mainly from TPOAb-negative participants. LT4 treatment was associated with an increased risk of preterm birth (RR = 2.214, 95% CI: 1.016-4.825) in TPOAb-positive pregnant women with high-normal TSH levels. Conclusion: LT4 treatment was significantly associated with a lower risk of pregnancy loss and a higher risk of small-for-gestational-age infants in pregnant women with TSH levels of 2.5-10 mIU/L. An increased risk of preterm birth was observed in the LT4-treated group among TPOAb-positive participants with TSH levels of 2.5-4.0 mIU/L.

Exploring the bidirectional relationship between metabolic syndrome and thyroid autoimmunity: a Mendelian randomization study.

Background: Observational studies have reported a possible association between metabolic syndrome (MetS) and thyroid autoimmunity. Nevertheless, the relationship between thyroid autoimmunity and MetS remains unclear. The objective of this research was to assess the causal impact of MetS on thyroid autoimmunity through the utilization of Mendelian randomization (MR) methodology. Methods: We performed bidirectional MR to elucidate the causal relationship between MetS and their components and thyroid autoimmunity (positivity of TPOAb). Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of MetS and its components were obtained from the publicly available genetic variation summary database. The Thyroidomics Consortium conducted a genome-wide association analysis, which provided summary-level data pertaining to thyroid autoimmunity. The study included several statistical methods, including the inverse variance weighting method (IVW), weighted median, simple mode, weight mode, and MR-Egger methods, to assess the causal link. In addition, to ensure the stability of the results, a sensitivity analysis was conducted. Results: IVW showed that MetS reduced the risk of developing thyroid autoimmunity (OR = 0.717, 95% CI = 0.584 - 0.88, P = 1.48E-03). The investigation into the causative association between components of MetS and thyroid autoimmune revealed a statistically significant link between triglycerides levels and the presence of thyroid autoimmunity (IVW analysis, OR = 0.603, 95%CI = 0.45 -0.807, P = 6.82E-04). The reverse analysis did not reveal any causal relationship between thyroid autoimmunity and MetS, including its five components. Conclusions: We have presented new genetic evidence demonstrating that MetS and its triglyceride components may serve as potential protective factors against thyroid autoimmunity.

Impact of thyroid autoimmunity on the cumulative live birth rates after IVF/ICSI treatment cycles.

BACKGROUND: Cumulative live birth rate (CLBR) is considered as the most important endpoint for assessing the probability of having a baby in a complete in vitro fertilization/intracytoplasmic sperm injection (IVF/ICSI) treatment cycle. Many previous studies have focused on the association between thyroid autoimmunity (TAI) and live birth rate after first embryo transfer cycle, however, evidence on whether the presence of TAI affects the CLBR is lacking. The purpose of this study is to investigate the impact of TAI on the CLBR in a complete IVF/ICSI cycle. METHODS: This retrospective study included 12,796 women who underwent their first IVF/ICSI treatment between January 2019 and February 2021. Based on the levels of thyroid antibodies, 2,603 women were assigned to the TAI group, and 10,193 women were assigned to the control group. Subgroup analysis was performed according to the different causes of infertility (including male factor only, ovulation disorder, tubal factor, endometriosis and unexplained infertility) and different types and titres of thyroid antibodies. The primary outcome in this study was CLBR, which included live births from the fresh embryo transfer cycle and all subsequent frozen-thawed embryo transfer cycles performed before December 2021. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in the CLBR between the TAI and control groups, even after adjusting for relevant confounders including age, body mass index, cause of infertility, thyroid function, protocols of controlled ovarian stimulation, type of transfer (fresh vs. frozen), type of transferred embryo (cleavage-stage embryo vs. blastocyst), and fertilization method (IVF vs. ICSI) (cumulative live birth: 50.6% vs. 52.1%, OR 0.94, 95% CI 0.86-1.02, adjusted OR 0.97, 95%CI 0.89-1.06). Subgroup analysis showed that no significant difference was observed in CLBR between the TAI and control groups for all causes of infertility, except for infertility attributed to endometriosis. Among women with endometriosis, the CLBR was significantly lower in the TAI group than that in the control group; however, this difference was not significant after adjusting for potential confounders including age, body mass index, thyroid function, protocols of controlled ovarian stimulation, type of transfer (fresh vs. frozen), type of transferred embryo (cleavage-stage embryo vs. blastocyst), and fertilization method (IVF vs. ICSI) (cumulative live births: 43.1% vs. 51.0%, OR 0.73, 95% CI 0.53-0.99, adjusted OR 0.74, 95% CI 0.53-1.02). Another subgroup analysis demonstrated that the type and titre of thyroid antibody did not affect CLBR in women with TAI. CONCLUSIONS: In our study, there was no significant difference in the CLBR between women with TAI and those without TAI, which suggests that TAI did not affect the chances of having a baby in a complete IVF/ICSI treatment cycle.

Thyroid Disorders in Saudi Patients With Acromegaly: A Tertiary Care Center Experience.

Background Acromegaly is a rare disease that is frequently associated with thyroid diseases. The exact prevalence of goiter and thyroid dysfunction remains uncertain. Objectives This study aims to provide a comprehensive description of the clinical, morphological, and biochemical features of thyroid disorder in Saudi patients with acromegaly and to establish its correlation with the activity and duration of the disease. Methods This retrospective study involved patients who were diagnosed with acromegaly during the period 2006-2023 in an outpatient endocrine clinic at a tertiary hospital. Results A total of 40 patients with acromegaly (27 males and 13 females) were identified and included in the analysis, with a mean age of 46.78 ± 13.76 years and an estimated duration of disease of 8.08 ± 6.43 years. Goiter was diagnosed in 28 patients (70.0%), including multinodular goiter (MNG) (70.0%), solitary thyroid nodules (14.2%), and thyroid cysts (14.2%). Primary hypothyroidism was present at 40.0%. Goiter was not correlated with estimated insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) levels or disease duration. In 40 patients with nodular goiter, fine needle biopsies were performed in six cases; five nodules were benign, and one nodule was a follicular lesion of unknown significance (Bethesda III). Conclusions The patients with acromegaly have a high prevalence of nodular thyroid disorders and thyroid dysfunction. No cases of thyroid cancer were found in our study. The periodic ultrasonography assessment of the thyroid is needed for evaluating patients with acromegaly.

Thyroid autoimmunity in relation to HLA-DRB1 and HLA-DQB1 polymorphism in nonsegmental vitiligo: a cross-sectional-study.

OBJECTIVES: Nonsegmental vitiligo (NSV) is frequently associated with thyroid autoimmunity (TAI), however, the immunopathogenic mechanisms of such association remain to be investigated. The aims of this work were to estimate the frequency of TAI and to describe the genetic polymorphism in the human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-DRB1 and -DQB1 loci in TAI susceptibility among patients with NSV. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, screening for TAI was performed in 97 Moroccan patients with NSV by measuring antibodies against thyroid peroxidase (TPOAb) and thyroglobulin (TGAb). HLA-DRB1 and -DQB1 were determined with single specific primer-polymerase chain reaction (PCR-SSP) typing methods. RESULTS: TAI was diagnosed in 20 patients with NSV (20.6%). The phenotypic frequency of DQB1*05 (OR = 5.04; P = 0.006; pc = 0.036) was significantly higher in NSV patients with TAI. Genotype DQB1*05/DQB1*06 (OR = 25.33; P = 0.001; pc = 0.003) confer susceptibility to TAI in NSV patients. NSV patients with TAI and early onset vitiligo have an extremely high phenotype frequency of DQB1*05 allele (OR = 14.67; P = 0.001; pc = 0.048) and DQB1*05/DQB1*06 genotype (OR = 26.55; P = 0.01; pc = 0.03). TAI in patients with NSV was (6.2%) associated with onset of clinical thyroid disease based on TSH and free T4. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that HLA-DQ polymorphisms influence TAI risk in subjects with NSV, although HLA does not completely explain the co-occurrence of these two diseases.

Effect of Steroids on Patients With Fibromyalgia/Chromic Widespread Pain: An Observational Study.

OBJECTIVE: Fibromyalgia causes widespread chronic pain. Pain management and treating underlying conditions are of utmost importance. Recent studies found an association of thyroid autoimmunity with fibromyalgia. Pain management of patients with anti-thyroid peroxidase antibody (anti-TPO Ab) positive was studied sparsely. To determine the effect of steroid (deflazacort) on pain management using numerical rating scale (NRS) pain score at baseline and at 3-month follow-up. STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective observational study was undertaken, recruiting patients diagnosed with fibromyalgia as per 2010 American College of Rheumatology guidelines and treated with the steroid, deflazacort 12 mg. Patients with missing details were excluded. Patients were categorized into negative, positive, and strongly positive anti-TPO Ab groups. Baseline and follow-up (3 months) pain score was compared across the groups. Reduction in pain was considered as a primary outcome variable. RESULTS: The study included 128 participants with 98 (76.6%) females and 30 (23.4%) males. The age of the study population was 48±13.29 years. The proportion of hyper, hypo, and euthyroid was 10 (7.81%), 42 (32.81%), and 76 (59.38%), respectively. The proportion of participants with negative, positive, and strongly positive anti-TPO Ab levels was 41 (32.03)%, 50 (39.06%), and 37 (28.91%), respectively. Baseline pain score was 7.3±1.32 and 3-month follow-up was 4.7±2.46. Steroid response was found in 66 (51.6%). Negative and positive anti-TPO Ab had a 1-point reduction in pain score from baseline, p-value <0.001. The strongly positive group had 5 points reduction, p-value<0.05. CONCLUSION: Fibromyalgia patients with thyroid autoimmunity responded well to short courses of steroids. Greater pain relief was observed among those who are strongly positive anti-TPO Ab group.

Impact of age, sex, and thyroid autoimmunity on the association between selenium intake and type 2 diabetes mellitus.

BACKGROUND: The association between dietary selenium(Se) intake and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) remains controversial. The present study aimed to investigate this association using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) database for the years 2007-2012. METHODS: Three thousand seventy three individuals aged 20 years and above were eligible for inclusion in this cross-sectional study. The average age of the participants was 50.74 years and the proportions of males and females were nearly equal (49.12% vs. 50.88%). The odds ratios (OR) of the association between dietary Se intake (log2-transformed) and T2DM were examined through the multivariate logistic regression model. Subgroup analyses were conducted based on age, sex, and thyroid autoimmunity to assess the potential impact of these variables on the relationship. Fitted smoothing curves and threshold effect analysis were conducted to describe the nonlinear relationship. RESULTS: In the fully adjusted model, a significant positive association between Se intake and T2DM was observed (OR = 1.49, 95% CI: 1.16, 1.90, p = 0.0017). After stratifying the data by age, sex, and thyroid autoimmunity, a significant positive association between Se intake and T2DM was observed in individuals under 65 years of age, males, and those with negative thyroid autoimmunity. A two-segment linear regression model was analyzed for sex stratification, revealing a threshold effect in males with an inflection point of 90.51 µg, and an inverted U-shaped relationship in females with an inflection point of 109.90 µg, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The present study found a positive relationship between Se intake and the prevalence of T2DM. This association is particularly significant in younger individuals, males, and those with negative thyroid autoimmunity. Our results should be validated in future large prospective studies in different populations.

Raised First Trimester Thyroid Peroxidase Antibodies May Predict First Trimester Miscarriage: A Case Control Study.

Miscarriages constitute a significant aspect of failed pregnancies and a source of worry for the patient and caregiver. Some of the causes of miscarriages remain unknown. Immunological conditions such as thyroid autoimmunity could play significant roles. Our objective was to determine the relationship between raised thyroid peroxidase antibodies and first trimester miscarriages in a low resource setting. This was a case control study at the Gynaecological Clinic of the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, Nigeria; from 14th February 2020 to 13th January 2021, involving 145 cases who had first trimester miscarriages, and their matched controls who had apparently normal pregnancies, at same gestational ages. Sera of venous blood from both participants and controls were analysed for thyroid peroxidase antibodies using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and analysed using SPSS version 20, and GraphPad Prism 8.4.3 statistical software. Being a civil servant and low social status had significant odds for first trimester miscarriage. Raised thyroid peroxidase antibodies in the first trimester had 10-fold odds for miscarriage. Odds ratio 10.34, 95% CI: 3.22 to 32.98, P-value = 0.0001. The test had a sensitivity of 89.66% and specificity of 54.41%. The positive predictive value was 17.93%, while the negative predictive value was 97.93% and a likelihood ratio of 1.966. Rising thyroid peroxidase antibodies in early pregnancy could be a predictor for miscarriage. This is so because patients with raised thyroid peroxidase antibodies in the first trimester had a 10-fold risk of having a first trimester miscarriage.