Prevalence of autoimmune thyroiditis in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome

Abstract

Introduction Hypothyroidism is associated with pregnancy complications both for the mother and progeny and it should be considered in reproductive age. Thyroid autoimmunity is stated to be the main cause of hypothyroidism in iodine suYcient areas. Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is known as the most common endocrine disorder aVecting women in reproductive age. Early diagnosis and treatment of hypothyroidism in PCOS may reduce the rate of infertility and pregnancy-related morbidity. In the present study we evaluated thyroid autoimmunity in PCOS patients. Methods Over a period of 12 months, 78 patients with PCOS were recruited to this case-control study. Three hundred and Wfty age-matched women were studied as a control group. PCOS was deWned according to the revised 2003 Rotterdam criteria. Thyroid size was estimated by inspection and palpation. Serum thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), anti-thyroperoxidase antibody (anti-TPO Ab), and anti-thyroglobulin antibody (anti-Tg Ab) were measured. Results The mean SD of serum anti-TPO Ab in PCOS patients and subjects in the control group was 216 428 and 131 364 IU/mL, respectively (P = 0.04). Prevalence of goiter in PCOS patients was higher than that in control subjects (62.3 vs. 35.7%, P = 0.0001). Serum TSH and anti-Tg Ab in PCOS patients and control subjects did not diVer signiWcantly. Conclusion In this case-control study, anti-thyroid antibodies and goiter prevalence were signiWcantly higher in PCOS patients. These data suggest that thyroid exam and evaluation of thyroid function and autoimmunity should be considered in such patients. © Springer-Verlag 2011.