Impact of subclinical hypothyroidism on endocrine features in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome

Abstract Background Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH) are both common endocrine disorders. This study investigates the impact of SCH on the endocrine features of patients diagnosed with PCOS. Methods This retrospective study included 124 women diagnosed with PCOS...

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Main Authors: Rui Hua, Jing-Jun Li, Wei Yang, Yun Hua, Yu-Long Ma
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-08-01
Series:European Journal of Medical Research
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s40001-025-02910-y
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author Rui Hua
Jing-Jun Li
Wei Yang
Yun Hua
Yu-Long Ma
author_facet Rui Hua
Jing-Jun Li
Wei Yang
Yun Hua
Yu-Long Ma
author_sort Rui Hua
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH) are both common endocrine disorders. This study investigates the impact of SCH on the endocrine features of patients diagnosed with PCOS. Methods This retrospective study included 124 women diagnosed with PCOS between January 2020 and November 2022. Participants were divided into two groups: those with PCOS alone (n = 93) and those with both PCOS and SCH (n = 31).Clinical parameters (age, body mass index, blood pressure, age at menarche) and endocrine markers were collected. Hormonal measurements included follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), estradiol (E2), prolactin (PRL), testosterone (TES), progesterone (PRG), TSH, free triiodothyronine (FT3), FT4, and Anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH). Thyroid autoantibodies, including antithyroid peroxidase (TPO-Ab) and antithyroglobulin antibody (TG-Ab), were also assessed. Antral follicle count (AFC) was evaluated using transvaginal ultrasound. Results The study found that patients with PCOS and SCH exhibited significantly higher levels of TSH and PRL compared to those with PCOS alone. However, there were no significant differences in PRG, LH, FSH, TES, and E2 levels between the groups. The PCOS group showed a moderate positive correlation between TSH and AMH, whereas the PCOS with SCH group demonstrated a negative correlation between TSH and FSH, albeit not statistically significant. Conclusions Subclinical hypothyroidism in women with PCOS is associated with altered thyroid–prolactin axis activity and a disrupted correlation between TSH and AMH, while gonadotropin levels and ovarian morphology appear unaffected. These findings warrant confirmation through prospective studies.
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spelling doaj-art-cf853fc1d3dd4123ab0b85124662b7f02025-08-20T04:01:53ZengBMCEuropean Journal of Medical Research2047-783X2025-08-013011710.1186/s40001-025-02910-yImpact of subclinical hypothyroidism on endocrine features in patients with polycystic ovary syndromeRui Hua0Jing-Jun Li1Wei Yang2Yun Hua3Yu-Long Ma4Department of General Practice, Xinxiang Central HospitalDepartment of General Practice, Xinxiang Central HospitalDepartment of Cardiovascular Medicine, Luohe Central HospitalBiology Department, Xinxiang No. 1 Middle SchoolDepartment of General Practice, Xinxiang Central HospitalAbstract Background Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH) are both common endocrine disorders. This study investigates the impact of SCH on the endocrine features of patients diagnosed with PCOS. Methods This retrospective study included 124 women diagnosed with PCOS between January 2020 and November 2022. Participants were divided into two groups: those with PCOS alone (n = 93) and those with both PCOS and SCH (n = 31).Clinical parameters (age, body mass index, blood pressure, age at menarche) and endocrine markers were collected. Hormonal measurements included follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), estradiol (E2), prolactin (PRL), testosterone (TES), progesterone (PRG), TSH, free triiodothyronine (FT3), FT4, and Anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH). Thyroid autoantibodies, including antithyroid peroxidase (TPO-Ab) and antithyroglobulin antibody (TG-Ab), were also assessed. Antral follicle count (AFC) was evaluated using transvaginal ultrasound. Results The study found that patients with PCOS and SCH exhibited significantly higher levels of TSH and PRL compared to those with PCOS alone. However, there were no significant differences in PRG, LH, FSH, TES, and E2 levels between the groups. The PCOS group showed a moderate positive correlation between TSH and AMH, whereas the PCOS with SCH group demonstrated a negative correlation between TSH and FSH, albeit not statistically significant. Conclusions Subclinical hypothyroidism in women with PCOS is associated with altered thyroid–prolactin axis activity and a disrupted correlation between TSH and AMH, while gonadotropin levels and ovarian morphology appear unaffected. These findings warrant confirmation through prospective studies.https://doi.org/10.1186/s40001-025-02910-yPolycystic ovary syndromeSubclinical hypothyroidismEndocrine features
spellingShingle Rui Hua
Jing-Jun Li
Wei Yang
Yun Hua
Yu-Long Ma
Impact of subclinical hypothyroidism on endocrine features in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome
European Journal of Medical Research
Polycystic ovary syndrome
Subclinical hypothyroidism
Endocrine features
title Impact of subclinical hypothyroidism on endocrine features in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome
title_full Impact of subclinical hypothyroidism on endocrine features in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome
title_fullStr Impact of subclinical hypothyroidism on endocrine features in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome
title_full_unstemmed Impact of subclinical hypothyroidism on endocrine features in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome
title_short Impact of subclinical hypothyroidism on endocrine features in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome
title_sort impact of subclinical hypothyroidism on endocrine features in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome
topic Polycystic ovary syndrome
Subclinical hypothyroidism
Endocrine features
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s40001-025-02910-y
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AT weiyang impactofsubclinicalhypothyroidismonendocrinefeaturesinpatientswithpolycysticovarysyndrome
AT yunhua impactofsubclinicalhypothyroidismonendocrinefeaturesinpatientswithpolycysticovarysyndrome
AT yulongma impactofsubclinicalhypothyroidismonendocrinefeaturesinpatientswithpolycysticovarysyndrome