High frequency of thyroid abnormalities in polycystic ovary syndrome

The prevalence of thyroid abnormalities (TA) has not been sufficiently assessed in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Our aim was to evaluate this relationship. In this prospective study 194 women were included. The cos P group consisted of 142 patients (diagnosed by Rotterdam 2003 criteria) and the control group included 52 age-matched healthy women. Fasting blood samples were drawn for free T4, thyrotropin, thyroperoxidase antibodies (TPOAb), fasting insulin, glucose and HOMA-IR were calculated. A total of 52 cos P patients had either autoimmune thyroiditis (AIT+) and/or subclinical hypothyroidism (HSC) (36.6%) (thyroid abnormalities:TA+) compared with 7 women of the control group (13.5%), accounting for more than a five fold higher prevalence of TA in cos P patients, compared with the age-matched controls (adjusted odds ratio: 5.6; CI 95%: 2.1 - 14.9; p < 0.001). TA+ patients had significantly higher Fl and HOMA-IR values than patients without thyroid abnormalities(p < 0.05). These results demonstrate a high rate of TA in young PCOS women, associated with higher levels of Fl and HOMA-IR. As PCOS, hypothyroidism and thyroid autoimmunity may have a profound impact on reproductive health, our data indicate that PCOS patients should be screened for TA.