Thyroid Disorders in Young Females with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome and Correlation of Thyroid Volume with Certain Hormonal Parameters.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the prevalance of hypothyroidism, thyroid autoimmunity, and ultrasonographic features in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) patients and compare them with a control group, and to detect correlation of thyroid volume [TV] with luteinizing hormone (LH), insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3), and IGF-1 in patients with PCOS.

STUDY DESIGN: Seventy PCOS patients' and 84 age-matched controls were enrolled. The patient and control groups were compared according to hormonal parameters, anthropometric measures, TV, echogenicity on ultrasonogram, and autoimmunity. We also investigated the correlation between TV and homeostasis model assessment (HOMA), serum LH, IGF-1 and IGFBP-3 levels in the PCOS group.

RESULTS: Body mass index (BMI), Ferriman Gallwey score, fasting insulin level, DHEAS, total and free testosterone, LH, TV, and IGFBP-3 levels were significantly higher in PCOS patients as compared to control group. TV was similar in patients with or without insulin resistance diagnosed with HOMA-estimated insulin resistance (IR). There was no difference in prevalence of hypothyroidism or ultrasonographic features in the groups. We have detected a positive and significant correlation between TV and BMI. We have found that there was no meaningful correlation between the TV and serum IGF-1 levels, whereas TV was positively correlated with serum LH.

CONCLUSION: We could not find any correlation between TV and IGF-1, but the most likely etiology of the increased TV in PCOS appears to be related to elevated LH levels in those patients.