The assessment of thyroid autoantibody levels in euthyroid patients with polycystic ovary syndrome

OBJECTIVE: Thyroid hormone abnormalities are commonly seen in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and have considerable effects on comorbidities. The association with PCOS and thyroid autoimmunity which lead to thyroid pathologies are not revealed clearly. We targeted to commentate anti-thyroid peroxidase (anti-TPO), anti-thyroglobulin (anti-TG) antibody levels and thyroid autoimmunity in PCOS. MATERIAL AND METHODS: One hundred eighty four patients who got the diagnosis of PCOS regard to the revised 2003 Rotterdam criteria were embodied in this study. One hundred six age-matched female volunteers were included in the control group. Characteristics, biochemical parameters, thyroid hormone and autoantibody levels of groups were investigated. RESULTS: Although; we did not find out a statistically significant difference in TSH and sT4 levels between two groups (p>0.05), anti-TPO and anti-TG antibody levels were determined higher in PCOS group significantly (p<0.001). Anti-TPO Ab and anti-TG Ab positivity prevalence of PCOS patients were significantly higher as against to controls (p<0.001; p=0.01). CONCLUSION: Not only thyroid hormone levels but also thyroid autoantibody levels should be screened during the investigation of PCOS and the patients with positive results need to be followed up carefully in the long run.