Prevalence of hypothyroidism and thyroid autoimmunity in polycystic ovarian syndrome patients: A North Indian study

Abstract

Background: There is limited data regarding the prevalence of hypothyroidism and thyroid autoimmunity in patients with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). Objective: To evaluate thyroid status and frequency of hypothyroidism and thyroid autoimmunity in patients with PCOS in comparison to age-matched controls. Materials and Methods: In a case–control study conducted at Gynecology outpatients department of our institute, 70 consecutive PCOS women diagnosed by Rotterdam criteria as well as 70 age-matched controls were evaluated. All patients underwent history, physical examination, thyroid function tests, and anti-thyroid peroxidase antibody (TPO Ab) tests. All patients who had positive TPO Ab also underwent ultrasonography of thyroid. Results: Mean serum thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) in PCOS was significantly higher (5.11 ± 4.41 uU/ml vs. 3.62 ± 3.38 uU/ml; P = 0.026) than age-matched controls. Subclinical hypothyroidism (14.3% vs. 7.1%) and TPO Ab positivity (25.7% vs. 17.1%) were numerically higher in PCOS patients as compared to age-matched controls, although not statistically significant. Conclusions: Mean serum TSH was significantly higher in PCOS patients as compared to age-matched controls. Numerically higher percentage of patients with PCOS had subclinical hypothyroidism and TPO Ab positivity; however, these were not statistically significant.