Case-control study, 1987
Do women with PMS have different hormone responses to a thyroid-releasing hormone test?
Women with PMS did not differ in average hormone levels, but showed more variability in TSH response to the test than women without PMS.
What they did
A case-control study. Researchers tested 14 women with confirmed PMS and 9 control subjects during both the follicular and luteal phases of their menstrual cycle. They measured TSH and prolactin responses after giving thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH).
What they found
There were no differences in basal TSH or prolactin levels, or in maximum increases, between menstrual cycle phases in either group. However, 7 of 10 women with PMS showed abnormal TSH responses (3 blunted and 4 augmented), compared to none of the 9 control subjects. This greater variability in TSH response was statistically significant.
What it means for you
Women with PMS may have problems with how their pituitary gland regulates the thyroid. However, the practical significance of this finding is unclear, this is a very small study, and no average-level differences were found.
14
women with PMS
9
control subjects
7 of 10
PMS women with abnormal TSH response
About the study
- Original title
- TSH and prolactin responses to TRH in patients with premenstrual syndrome
- Authors
- Roy-Byrne PP, Rubinow DR, Hoban MC et al.
- Journal
- The American journal of psychiatry
- Year
- 1987
- Study design
- Case-control study
- Participants
- 14
- What was tested
- Hormone testing at two menstrual cycle phases
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1176/ajp.144.4.480
Topics
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