Publication:

Association of abnormal thyroid stimulating hormone and serum prolactin levels in women of reproductive age with abnormal uterine bleeding

Background Abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB) is a frequent problem in reproductive-aged women and carries substantial morbidity, anemia and reduced quality of life. The objective of this study was to evaluate the association between thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels and serum prolactin levels in women of reproductive age presenting with AUB.

Methods This was a cross sectional, observational study carried out for 18 months in Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, ESIC Medical College, Rajajinagar, Bengaluru. Twenty-seven women aged 19-49 years who had AUB were recruited. After clinical assessment, the serum TSH and prolactin levels were determined using chemiluminescence immunoassay (Siemens ADVIA Centaur). IBM SPSS Statistics version 25.0 was used to data analysis. Descriptive statistics, chi-square test, Pearson's correlation was applied and p value of <0.05 was regarded as statistically significant.

Results The mean age of the study population was 34.06±9.42 years and majority of the women were multiparous (61.9%) and aged between 35-44 years (32.2%). The most common presentation was heavy menstrual bleeding (53.7%). The non-structural causes represented 63.7% of AUB, with ovulatory dysfunction being the most common cause (35.2%). In 40.0% of women, the TSH level was abnormal, with hypothyroidism (35.2%) and hyperthyroidism (4.8%). Twenty-seven.4% of participants had hyperprolactinemia. There was no correlation between TSH and prolactin levels (r=0.048, p=0.432).

Conclusions Thyroid dysfunction and hyperprolactinemia are relatively frequent in women with AUB, but no significant relationship was found between TSH and prolactin levels. Regular hormonal testing may aid in early detection of any underlying glandular problems and help to guide treatment in women with AUB.