Association of thyroid dysfunction with abnormal uterine bleeding

Background: Abnormal uterine bleeding is a common complaint for women being referred to the gynaecologist and is associated with an array of symptoms. The objective of this study was to detect association of thyroid dysfunction in patients with menstrual irregularitiesMethods: This non-interventional prospective study was done over a period of one and half years in a private medical college in Mangalore. All patients in age group of 15-55 years who presented with history of menstrual disturbances were enrolled and evaluated in the study. Patients with structural causes of AUB or using IUCDs or hormonal steroids were excluded. Total of 85 patients were hence evaluated. These 85 patients were subjected to routine investigations like Hb, BT, CT and platelets (to rule out coagulation defects) along with TSH, T3, T4 estimation. Ultrasound abdomen and pelvis with endometrial thickness was done to rule out structural causes.Results: The most common menstrual disturbance was menorrhagia (47 patients: 55.3%). Thyroid abnormalities were found in 29 of the 85 patients with AUB (34.11%). Of the 29 patients with thyroid dysfunction, 24 were hypothyroid and 5 patients were found to be hyperthyroid.Conclusions: Thyroid abnormalities are frequently associated with menstrual irregularities. Hence Thyroid Function Tests are extremely valuable in patients with provisional diagnosis of AUB and should be made mandatory to avoid unnecessary hormonal or surgical treatment in such patients