Abstract
Objective: To investigate the hypothalamo–pituitary–ovarian axis in women with functional hypothalamic
amenorrhea to determine whether the combination of l-thyroxine and clomiphene citrate produces a qualitative and quantitative increase
in induced ovulatory cycles. Setting: Gynecological Endocrinology Research Center, University of Siena (Italy). Patients: 16 young women with functional hypothalamic amenorrhea and 15 women with normal cycles
in early follicular phase. Design: Administration of 50 μg GnRH and 200 μg TRH. The women with functional hypothalamic
amenorrhea were divided into groups A (n=8) and B (n=8). Both groups were given 100 mg/day clomiphene for 5 days/month for 3 months. Women
in group A were also given 75 mcg/day thyroid hormone (l-thyroxine) for 3 months. Main outcome measures: Comparison of basal and stimulated levels of gonadotropins, TSH and Prl, in groups
A and B. Qualitative and quantitative comparison of ovulatory cycles induced in the
groups. Results: Administration of clomiphene and clomiphene plus l-thyroxine was evaluated in the second and third months of treatment and was followed
by a total of 11 ovulatory cycles, six in group A and five in group B. No significant
difference was found between groups. Mean progesterone concentrations measured 16
days after the last clomiphene tablet were 5.5±1.2 ng/ml in group A and 5.1±1.3 ngl/ml
in group B. Conclusions: Administration of l-thyroxine with clomiphene does not improve the response of the hypothalamo–pituitary–ovarian
axis to clomiphene citrate or the number of ovulatory cycles and does not reduce luteal
phase defects.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Accepted:
August 27,
1999
Received in revised form:
August 2,
1999
Received:
April 13,
1999
Identification
Copyright
© 2000 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
