J Korean Soc Menopause.  2012 Dec;18(3):174-179.

The Necessity of Thyroid Function Test of Perimenopausal Women with Menopausal Symptoms

• Kim YS
• Jung EY
• Lee BY

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.

Keyword

Hormone relpacement therapy; Perimenopause; Thyroid diseases

MeSH Terms

Female
Gynecology
Humans
Menopause
Menstruation
Obstetrics
Perimenopause
Stress, Psychological
Thyroid Diseases
Thyroid Function Tests
Thyroid Gland

Figure

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  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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