Journal List > J Korean Soc Menopause > v.18(3) > 1052080

Kim, Jung, and Lee: The Necessity of Thyroid Function Test of Perimenopausal Women with Menopausal Symptoms

Abstract

Objectives

Hormone therapy is generally chosen to treat women who are experiencing menopausal symptoms. Knowing the overlapping symptoms between menopause and thyroid diseases as well as their increasing trend, it is crucial to differentially diagnose among the two types of diseases. The study is focused on the thyroid function test (TFT) and its significance. It also reflects those who are in the menopausal transition state, suffering from premenopausal symptoms, and therefore, want to be treated with hormone therapy.

Methods

Endocrinologic diagnosis for menopause was performed in 139 patients who complained of menopausal symptoms and irregular menstruation within the past year and hence, visited the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kyung Hee University Hospital in order to obtain consultation from January 2007 to March 2011. We made observations using the retrograde method. Among these women, 43 patients tested for TFT for their atypical menopausal symptoms.

Results

Among the 43 patients who tested for TFT, 10 patients showed abnormal TFT and 3 patients who did not take TFT at our department were found to have the thyroid disease later by other clinics.

Conclusion

In order to differentiate thyroid disease, practical guidelines should be prepared for the management of women with menopausal transition.

Figures and Tables

Fig. 1
Results of the thyroid function test in this study. E2: estradiol, FSH: follicle stimulating hormone, LH: luteinizing hormone, TFT: thyroid function test
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Table 1
Comparison of patient characteristics
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Value are presented as mean ± standard deviation. E2: estradiol, FSH: follicle stimulating hormone

Table 2
Detailed hormonal profile in atypical menopausal symptom group (n = 43)
jksm-18-174-i002

N: number of patients, FSH: follicle stimulating hormone

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