Impact of Thyroid Status on Pro-Inflammatory Marker Profile in Women with Diminished Ovarian Reserve

Abstract

Diminished ovarian reserve (DOR) is increasingly recognized as a multifactorial condition influenced not only by age but also by endocrine and inflammatory mechanisms [1,2]. Thyroid dysfunction, particularly hypothyroidism, has been associated with systemic inflammation, which may contribute to impaired reproductive potential [3,4]. Objective: To evaluate systemic inflammatory markers in women with DOR according to thyroid status (hypothyroidism or euthyroidism), with a focus on C-reactive protein (CRP), complement components C3 and C4, and ceruloplasmin. Methods: A comparative cross-sectional study was conducted including 80 women of reproductive age diagnosed with diminished ovarian reserve. The study group consisted of 40 women with DOR and clinical or subclinical hypothyroidism, while the second group included 40 women with DOR and normal thyroid function. Serum levels of CRP, complement components C3 and C4, and ceruloplasmin were measured using standardized laboratory methods [5,6]. Statistical analysis was performed using Student’s t-test in SPSS v26.0, and statistical significance was defined as p < 0.05. Results: Both groups demonstrated significantly elevated levels of CRP, complement C3 and C4, and ceruloplasmin, indicating the presence of systemic inflammation. However, women with DOR and hypothyroidism exhibited significantly higher concentrations of all assessed inflammatory markers compared with euthyroid women with DOR (p < 0.05) [7]. Conclusion: DOR is associated with a pronounced pro-inflammatory profile that is further exacerbated by hypothyroidism [8–10]. These findings highlight the potential role of thyroid-related systemic inflammation in reproductive dysfunction and support the inclusion of inflammatory marker assessment in the clinical evaluation of women with DOR.