IMPACT OF SUBCLINICAL HYPOTHYROIDISM ON METABOLIC PARAMETERS IN POLYCYSTIC OVARIAN SYNDROME

Abstract

Objective: To determine the prevalence of SCH in women diagnosed with PCOS and to analyze its effect on various hormonal and biochemical markers, compared to healthy individuals.  

Materials and Methods: The study was conducted at Rahman Medical Institute, Peshawar, from March 2023 to August 2023. This was a case-control study in which 200 participants were selected using a non-probability convenient sampling technique.100 diagnosed PCOS patients based on the Rotterdam criteria and 100 Healthy ‘age-matched controls were included.

Results: PCOS women had significantly higher BMI (Mean=30.4 ± 4.4 vs 25.1 ± 3.0), and waist circumference (Mean=88.1±6.3 vs 74.4±4.8), however, no significant difference was found in the mean age of both groups (Mean= 27.9±4.7 vs 27.1± 4.5 yrs. P value= 0.1). In PCOS, the mean TSH value was 3.81±6.3 and 2.7±0.2 in the control group. Upon comparing the metabolic parameters between the SCH and Euthyroid subgroups, the SCH group had significantly higher levels of HbA1c (7.304 ± 0.832 vs. 5.214 ± 0.19, p = 0.001), LDL (159.63 ± 15.57 vs. 79.04 ± 22.3, p = 0.001), Total cholesterol (335.00 ± 94.64 vs. 91.87 ± 33.15, p = 0.001), and Triglycerides (368.92 ± 100.63 vs. 160.28 ± 21.78, p = 0.001). In contrast, the Euthyroid group exhibited higher HDL levels (46.56 ± 4.27 vs. 41.97 ± 8.94, p = 0.001). The Risk estimation of SCH is significant in the PCOS group (Odds Ratio = 2.95 with 95% confidence interval).

Conclusion: The prevalence of subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH) was significantly higher in women with PCOS compared to the control group (29% vs. 6%, p = 0.001) and was associated with more severe metabolic disturbances.