Link between autoimmune hypothyroidism and polycystic ovary syndrome.

Abstract

Objectives: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a rampant endocrine disorder distressing women of child bearing age worldwide. Many current researches have detected the presence of some organ specific and non-specific autoantibodies in females with PCOS. Study Design: Cross Sectional study. Setting:  Aziz Fatimah Hospital, Faisalabad, Pakistan. Period: April to September 2017. Material & Methods: This study comprised of 88 female subjects of 17-35 years old. Participants were divided into four group’s i.e PCOS obese females, PCOS non-obese, obese females without PCOS and age matched controls. Thyroid function was evaluated by the measurement of serum TSH, FT3 and FT4 levels. Thyroid peroxidase antibody was detected as an indicator of thyroid autoimmunity. All parameters were measured by chemiluminescence immunoassay technique (CLIA). SPSS version 22 was used for the statistical analysis of the data. Results: Out of total 88 female participants, 38.6% were hypothyroid and 61.4% were euthyroid females. While on comparing the percentages of hypothyroidism among the study groups PCOS, non-PCOS patients and obese we found higher percentages of hypothyroidism among non-obese PCOS. Thyroid peroxidase antibody levels were higher in PCOS obese subjects. PCOS patients have 15 times more risk for hypothyroidism as compared to non-PCOS patients. Conclusion: Hypothyroidism was commonly found in PCOS patients with high levels of TPO-Antibody indicating that PCOS is an independent risk factor for hypothyroidism which suggests that evaluation of thyroid function and autoimmunity must be deliberated in PCOS patients.