Thyroid Function and Prolactin Levels of Pre-menopausal Women with Menstrual Irregularities: A Pilot Study

Abstract

Thyroid hormones and prolactin are interdependently linked with menstrual disorders due to the indispensable roles they play in women’s reproductive health. The objective of the study was to evaluate thyroid function and prolactin levels of pre-menopausal women diagnosed with menstrual irregularities. A total of 90 premenopausal women aged 18-40 years were enrolled for the study: 45 of them were diagnosed with menstrual irregularities, and 45 were healthy. Participants were recruited from Obstetrics and Gynaecology and General Outpatient Departments, Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Shika-Kaduna State, Nigeria between 6th June and 31st October 2024 in a cross-sectional pattern. Thyroid hormones (TSH, fT3, fT4), prolactin (PRL), and lipids [total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) and low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C)] were assayed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and enzymatic methods, respectively. Anthropometric indices [body mass index (BMI), blood pressure (BP), waist circumference (WC) and hip circumference (HC)] were measured using standard methods. There was no significant difference in the anthropometric indices between groups. Distribution of thyroid disorders among cases vs controls (overt hypothyroidism 17.78% vs 4.44%, subclinical hypothyroidism 17.78% vs 15.56%, overt hyperthyroidism 15.56% vs 22.22%, subclinical hyperthyroidism 22.22% vs 26.67%, Euthyroidism 26.67% vs 31.11%) Hyperprolactinemia was found in majority of cases compared to controls [n=29 (64.40%) vs n=13 (28.80%) p=0.001]. Significant positive correlation was observed between WC, BMI, and TG levels among cases. Women aged 18-40 years should be screened for metabolic risk factors such as HC, WC, BMI, TG and fT4, as indicators for subcutaneous fat-related menstrual irregularities.