The effect of oil and water-soluble contrast medium in hysterosalpingography on thyroid function

Abstract

Hysterosalpingography (HSG) using iodinated contrast medium is X-ray diagnostic test that examines the inside of the uterus and fallopian tubes in infertile women. In this study, we compared thyroid function (thyroid stimulating hormone: TSH and free-T4: FT4 levels) after HSG with an oil-soluble contrast medium (OSCM) and a water-soluble contrast medium (WSCM). One hundred and sixty-four and 94 patients with normal thyroid function received HSG with OSCM and WSCM, respectively. Approximately 25% of the women in the OSCM group developed subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH), whereas only less than 10% of the patients in the WSCM group developed SCH. Our data clearly indicate that WSCM is safe for thyroid function in women who plan to get pregnant.

Chinese abstract

用碘化造影剂的子宫输卵管造影术（HSG）是X线诊断用于检查不孕女性的子宫和输卵管内部情况。本研究分别采用油溶性造影剂（OSCM）和水溶性造影剂（WSCM）行HSG, 比较患者甲状腺功能（促甲状腺激素：TSH和游离T4：FT4水平）情况。有164名和94名甲状腺功能正常的患者分别接受OSCM和WSCM的HSG。OSCM组大约25％的妇女发展为亚临床甲状腺功能减退症（SCH）, 而WSCM组仅有不到10％的患者发展为SCH。我们的数据清楚地表明WSCM对于计划怀孕的女性的甲状腺功能是安全的。

Keywords:

• Hysterosalpingography
• infertility
• oil-soluble contrast medium
• subclinical hypothyroidism
• water-soluble contrast medium

Acknowledgements

We would like thank the staff of the Tawara IVF clinic for their assistance during this clinical study.

Declaration of interest

No conflicts of interest are declared.