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.