Abstract
Background
Subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH) is present in 5%–10% of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) patients. To date, its impact on the metabolic and hormonal profile of those women remains controversial. The purpose of our study is to evaluate the impact of SCH on the glycemic, lipid and hormonal profile of PCOS patients.
Materials and methods
We conducted a prospective case control study of patients that attended the Department of Gynecological Endocrinology of our hospital.
Results
Overall, 280 women with PCOS were enrolled during a time period of 7 years (2009–2015). Twenty-one patients (7.5%) suffered from SCH. The anthropometric characteristics were comparable among women with PCOS and those with SCH + PCOS. The prevalence of acne, hirsutism and anovulation did not differ. Significant differences were observed in the 2-h oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) (p = 0.003 for glucose and p = 0.046 for insulin). The QUICKI, Matsuda and homeostatic model assessment-insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) indices where, however, similar. No difference in serum lipids was observed. Slightly elevated levels of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and testosterone were noted. The remaining hormonal parameters remained similar among groups. Similarly, the ovarian volume and the endometrial thickness did not differ.
Conclusions
The impact of SCH on the metabolic and hormonal profile of PCOS patients seems to be negligible. Future studies are needed in the field and their conduct in a multi-institutional basis seems to be required, given the small prevalence of SCH among women with PCOS.
Author Statement
Research funding: Authors state no funding involved.
Conflict of interest: Authors state no conflict of interest.
Informed consent: Informed consent was obtained from all participants.
Ethical approval: The study was designed in agreement with both Greek and European Union Legislation as indicated in the Declaration of Helsinki for Human and Animal Rights and its later amendments and has received ethical approval by the Institutional Review Board of our hospital.
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