Thyroid disorders in polycystic ovary syndrome

Area of Science:

• Endocrinology
• Reproductive Health
• Autoimmunology

Background:

• Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT) affect a significant portion of the population, particularly young women.
• The prevalence of HT is substantially higher in women with PCOS (27%) compared to the general population (8%).
• Both PCOS and HT are associated with fertility issues, making their co-occurrence a critical clinical concern.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the literature on the co-occurrence of PCOS and HT.
• To explore potential shared etiological factors contributing to the joint prevalence of PCOS and HT.
• To highlight the implications of these co-occurring conditions on fertility.

Main Methods:

• A systematic literature review was conducted using PubMed.
• The review focused on English-language articles related to PCOS and HT published up to December 2015.

Main Results:

• The exact reasons for the combined prevalence of PCOS and HT remain unclear.
• Potential common etiological factors include genetic polymorphisms (FBN3, GnRHR, CYP1B1) and autoimmune predispositions.
• Hormonal imbalances (high estrogen-to-progesterone ratios) and vitamin D deficiency may also play a role in the pathogenesis of both conditions.

Conclusions:

• Common etiological factors, including genetic and autoimmune backgrounds, are implicated in the co-occurrence of PCOS and HT.
• These shared factors are linked to fertility problems in patients with both conditions.
• Further research is necessary to elucidate these common etiological factors and their impact on fertility.