Objective:

The aim of this study was to determine the frequency of non-thyroidal illness syndrome (NTIS) in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

Material and Methods:

During a 6-month period, 52 patients with PCOS were recruited for this cross-sectional study. The control group included 68 age-matched female volunteers. Serum free triiodothyronine (fT3), free thyroxine (fT4), thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), anti-thyroperoxidase antibody (anti-TPO Ab), and anti-thyroglobulin antibody (anti-Tg Ab) were measured.

Results:

The TSH level in the PCOS patients and controls did not differ significantly (1.9±1.2 µIU/mL vs. 1.8±0.9 µIU/mL, p>0.05). Serum fT3 and fT4 levels in the controls were significantly lower than those in the PCOS patients (fT3: 2.7±0.3 pg/mL vs. 2.9±0.3 pg/mL, p=0.02; fT4: 1.0±0.1 ng/dL vs. 1.1±0.1 ng/dL, p=0.03). The Hs-CRP (high-sensitivity C-reactive protein) level in the PCOS patients was significantly higher than in the controls (3.5±4.9 mg/L vs. 1.7±2.7 mg/L, p=0.03). A statistically significant relationship was observed between Hs-CRP and fT4 (r=0.245, p=0.015). However, NTIS was not observed in either group.

Conclusion:

Thyroid function abnormalities could be observed in PCOS; however, NTIS was not noted in the present study despite the inflammatory state of the PCOS patients.

Keywords: Polycystic ovary syndrome, non-thyroidal illness syndrome, inflammation, hormones