Effects of combined oral contraceptive pills on thyroid function tests in Mosul City

Background : There are very little studies to determine the effects of combined oral contraceptive pills (COCPs) on thyroid function tests in hormonal contraceptive users at least in our locality. Objective : To evaluate the effects of COCPs on serum level of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) , free triiodothyronine (FT3) and free tetraiodothyronine (thyroxine) (FT4) and in relation to the duration of their usage in Mosul City. Design : A case control study. Subject & Methods : This study was conducted during the period from September 2008 to March 2009. A total of 78 healthy married women, age range between 19-35 years, from those who were attending AL–Batool and AL-Khansa Family Planning Centers in Mosul, who were taking Microgynon tablets which are one of monophasic, second generation combined oral contraceptive pills (COCPs) (contain 0.03 mg of ethinyl estradiol and 0.15 mg levonorgestrel) (N = 48) for a period ranged between 3 months to 5 years and these were considered the users group. Other 40 healthy married women who did not use any hormonal contraceptives and were drawn from the same population and matched for age, body mass index (BMI) with the users group and they were considered as the non users groups. Blood samples (5ml) were obtained from COCPs users and non-user groups. The sera obtained from the blood samples were used for the estimation of serum TSH, FT3, FT4 using Menividus analytic device. Results : This study revealed non significant differences in TSH , FT3 and FT4 serum levels between COCPs users and non users and no correlation between serum TSH, FT3 and FT4 levels and duration of hormonal contraceptives usage. Conclusion : This study supported that the free thyroid hormone tests are the tests of choice in assessing thyroid function of women taking COCPs and concluded that COCPs can be regarded as a safe drugs in women using these types of hormonal as far as thyroid function is concerned. الخلفية : يوجد دراسات قليلة جدا لتقرير تأثير حبوب منع الحمل المشتركة على وظيفة الغدة الدرقية و على الأقل في منطقتنا. الهدف : لتقييم تأثير حبوب منع الحمل المشتركة على مستوى مصل الدم للهرمون المحفز للغدة الدرقية (تي إس إج), الثايرونين الثلاثي اليود الحر (إف تي ثري) و الثايروكسين الحر (إف تي فور) و علاقته بفترة استخدامها في مدينة الموصل. تصميم الدراسة : تصميم دراسة حالة. الطرق المتبعة و الأشخاص : أجريت هذه الدراسة بين الفترة من أيلول 2008 و لغاية آذار 2009 تم أخذ مجموع 78 امرأة سليمة تتراوح أعمارهن بين (19 – 35) سنة ممن كن يراجعن مركزي تنظيم الأسرة ف