Thyroid function and puberty

Abstract

Thyroid hormones are essential for normal growth, sexual development and reproductive function. During puberty, changes in thyroid functions and an increase in thyroid volume occur as an adaptation to body and sexual development. Hypothyroidism diagnosed late in prepubertal years, usually due to Hashimoto's thyroiditis, can cause a delay of puberty or incomplete isosexual precocity (development of breast and internal genitalia in girls and increased testis volume in boys without adrenarche). In contrast, normal pubertal development and adequate menarche have been documented in congenital hypothyroidism detected by neonatal screening and treated early. The effect of hyperthyroidism on pubertal development is not well known, but a short period of hyperthyroidism seems not to have major negative effects. In adolescence or young adulthood, menstrual dysfunction, infertility, and stillbirth or premature birth are associated with thyroid dysfunction.