Evaluation of thyroid autoimmunity markers in polycystic ovarian syndrome in women

Abstract

Introduction and Aim: Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is characterized by chronic anovulation and hyperandrogenism. PCOS also affects thyroid hormones, with multiple studies showing a link between autoimmune thyroid disease (AITD) and polycystic ovarian syndrome, although the exact pathophysiology of this interaction remains unknown. In this study the autoimmune thyroid indicators in women with PCOS were examined in order to demonstrate a link between polycystic ovarian syndrome and autoimmune thyroid disease.   Materials and Methods: The study included 85 polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) patients and 50 controls with similar ages. Thyroid autoantibodies (anti-thyroglobulin (Anti-Tg) and anti-peroxidase (anti-TPO), thyroid hormones (free thyroxine (T4), triiodothyronine (T3), and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), and luteinizing hormone (LH) were determined in both study groups of women.   Results: In women with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) the blood levels of anti-thyroid peroxidase antibody (anti-TPO), antithyroglobulin antibody (anti-TG)) and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) were higher than women without PCOS. However, no difference was observed for free thyroxine (FT4) levels among PCOS and no PCOS women.   Conclusion: Thyroid dysfunction and thyroid autoimmunity was found to be linked in women with PCOS.