The association of juvenile hypothyroidism and cystic ovaries

Five cases of girls with juvenile hypothyroidism in whom cystic ovaries were diagnosed with ultrasound are presented. Only one of the five patients had gynecologic complaints; the other four had signs and symptoms directly related to hypothyroidism (short stature in three, and irregular menses and delayed sexual development in one). Two of the girls showed evidence of precocious sexual development. All five patients were treated with Synthroid (levothyroxine sodium). In the four girls for whom follow-up was available, both the signs and symptoms of hypothyroidism and the ovarian cysts resolved with treatment. When ovarian cysts are found in a girl who is either prepubescent or in early pubescence, the possibility of associated hypothyroidism should be considered