Evidence map›Paper›PMID 38050786›Full record

ArticleClinical endocrinology2024

Levothyroxine for a high-normal TSH in unexplained infertility.

Francesca Galbiati, Tahereh Orouji Jokar, Lars M Howell, Runjia Li, Lindsay T Fourman, Hang Lee, Jong-Hyeon Jeong, Pouneh K Fazeli

Open access · bronzeAbstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Clinical endocrinology, 2024. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 3 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
3citing papers in PubMed
0.3field-weighted citation impact, top 35% of its field
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

3 citing papers in PubMed, 2 citations in OpenAlex.

  1. Diagnostic workup for a couple with unexplained infertility - VVOG guidance.European journal of obstetrics & gynecology and reproductive biology: X · 2025
    Article
  2. Review
  3. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

8 authors at 4 institutions in 1 country.

Francesca GalbiatiDivision of Endocrinology Diabetes and Hypertension, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
Tahereh Orouji JokarNeuroendocrine Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
Lars M HowellNeuroendocrine Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
Runjia LiDepartment of Biostatistics, University of Pittsburgh School of Public Health, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA.
Lindsay T FourmanHarvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
Hang LeeHarvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
Jong-Hyeon JeongDepartment of Biostatistics, University of Pittsburgh School of Public Health, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA.
Pouneh K FazeliNeuroendocrine Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.ORCID 0000-0003-1731-2927
University of Pittsburgh · USHarvard University · USMassachusetts General Hospital · USBrigham and Women's Hospital · US

Funding

University of Pittsburgh Clinical and Translational Science InstituteUL1TR001857 · NCATS · UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH AT PITTSBURGH · PI REIS, STEVEN E · 2016 to 2025
$129.3M
Harvard Clinical and Translational Science CenterUL1TR001102 · NCATS · HARVARD MEDICAL SCHOOL · PI NADLER, LEE MARSHALL · 2013 to 2017
$106.2M
In Utero HIV Exposure and Metabolic Disease Risk in HIV-Uninfected Young AdultsK23HD100266 · NICHD · MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL HOSPITAL · PI FOURMAN, LINDSAY TARA · 2020 to 2024
$851k
NCATS NIH HHS UL1 TR001102NCATS NIH HHS UL1 TR001857NICHD NIH HHS K23 HD100266NIH HHS K23HD100266NIH HHS UL1TR001102NIH HHS UL1TR001857
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

objectiveUnexplained infertility affects nearly one-third of infertile couples. Women with unexplained infertility are more likely to have a high-normal thyroid-stimulating hormone level (TSH: 2.5-5 mIU/L) compared to women with severe male factor infertility. Practice guidelines vary on whether treatment should be initiated for TSH levels >2.5 mIU/L in women attempting conception because the effects of treating a high-normal TSH level with levothyroxine are not known. We evaluated conception and live birth rates in women with unexplained infertility and high-normal TSH levels. DESIGN, PATIENTS AND MEASUREMENTS: Retrospective study including 96 women evaluated for unexplained infertility at a large academic medical centre between 1 January 2000 and 30 June 2017 with high-normal TSH (TSH: 2.5-5 mIU/L and within the normal range of the assay) who were prescribed (n = 31) or not prescribed (n = 65) levothyroxine. Conception and live birth rates were assessed.

resultsThe conception rate in the levothyroxine group was 100% compared to 90% in the untreated group (p = .086 unadjusted; p < .05 adjusted for age; p = .370 adjusted for TSH; p = .287 adjusted for age and TSH). The live birth rate was lower in the levothyroxine group (63%) compared to the untreated group (84%) (p = .05 unadjusted; p = .094 adjusted for age; p = .035 adjusted for TSH; p = .057 adjusted for age and TSH).

conclusionsWomen with unexplained infertility and high-normal TSH levels treated with levothyroxine had a higher rate of conception but lower live birth rate compared to untreated women, with the limitation of a small sample size. These findings assert the need for prospective, randomized studies to determine whether treatment with levothyroxine in women with unexplained infertility and high-normal TSH is beneficial.

Indexed as

HyperthyroidismInfertilityInfertility, MalePituitary DiseasesFemaleHumansMaleProspective StudiesRetrospective StudiesThyrotropinThyroxineThyrotropinThyroxinebirth rateinfertilitylive birthpregnancypregnancy ratethyrotropinthyroxine

Identifiers

PMID38050786
PMCPMC10841672
OpenAlexW4389340332

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceTDM
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.