UNVEILING A HIDDEN LINK: THE FREQUENCY OF SUBCLINICAL HYPOTHYROIDISM IN WOMEN WITH POLYCYSTIC OVARIAN SYNDROME

Abstract

Background: Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is a prevalent endocrine disorder among reproductive-aged women, often associated with metabolic complications. Subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH), although asymptomatic, shares overlapping features with PCOS such as insulin resistance, dyslipidemia, and menstrual irregularities.Objective: To determine the frequency of subclinical hypothyroidism among patients with PCOS presenting at a tertiary care hospital. Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted at the Department of Pathology, Bahawal Victoria Hospital, Bahawalpur, over a six-month period from April 2024 to September 2024. A total of 158 female patients aged 20–50 years with an existing diagnosis of PCOS (as per Rotterdam criteria) were recruited using non-probability consecutive sampling. Patients with known thyroid disorders, chronic illness, or endocrine dysfunctions other than PCOS were excluded.  After informed consent, demographic data and clinical histories were recorded. Blood samples were collected and analyzed for thyroid function tests. SCH was defined as serum TSH >5.0 mIU/L with normal free T4 levels (0.91–1.55 ng/dL). Data analysis was performed using SPSS v25, and associations were assessed using Chi-square and Fisher’s exact test, with p ≤ 0.05 considered statistically significant.Results: Subclinical hypothyroidism was identified in 36 of the 158 PCOS patients (22.8%). A significant association was found between SCH and elevated BMI, longer duration of PCOS, and family history of thyroid disorders.Conclusion: The frequency of subclinical hypothyroidism in women with PCOS was considerable. Routine screening for thyroid function in this population may facilitate early intervention and better clinical outcomes.