High androgen levels protect against hypothyroidism

• IntroductionHypothyroidism is a common disorder, appearing mainly in women although less frequently found in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). The objective was to test the hypothesis that hyperandrogenism might protect against hypothyroidism. Material and methodsThe data from three prospective follow-up studies (up to 21years) and one register study were compared: women with PCOS (Rotterdam criteria), n=25, women with Turner syndrome, n=217, a random population sample of women, n=315, and men, n=95 (the WHO MONICA study). Findings were to be verified or rejected in all females, n=553 716, from the same region. The proportion of hypothyroidism was calculated and thyroid peroxidase antibodies (TPO) in serum were measured. ResultsHypothyroidism at >50years of age was found in 8% of women with PCOS, 4% in men (PCOS vs. men; ns), 43% of women with Turner syndrome, irrespective of karyotype (p<0.001 vs. PCOS), and in 17% of postmenopausal women in the population (p<0.01 vs. PCOS). Elevated TPO were similar in PCOS and women and men in the population but higher in Turner syndrome. Hypothyroidism increased with age in all groups except PCOS women and men. In the register study, hypothyroidism was less common in women with PCOS >25years (5.5%) than in women without PCOS (6.8%) from the same region (p<0.01). ConclusionsHypothyroidism was less frequently seen in women with PCOS and in men compared with women in the general population and among women with Turner syndrome. This was not explained by altered autoimmunity or the Y-chromosome. Androgens seem to protect against hypothyroidism.

Subject headings

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Klinisk medicin (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Clinical Medicine (hsv//eng)

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Klinisk medicin -- Reproduktionsmedicin och gynekologi (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Clinical Medicine -- Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Reproductive Medicine (hsv//eng)

Keyword

Androgens

hypothyroidism

polycystic ovary syndrome

Turner syndrome

polycystic-ovary-syndrome

term-follow-up

subclinical hypothyroidism

cardiovascular-disease

turner-syndrome

risk-factors

postmenopausal

women

thyroid-dysfunction

age

autoimmunity

Obstetrics & Gynecology

kahashi k

1994

human reproduction

v9

p2255

aub jj

1992

american journal of medicine

v92

p631

iovato l

1993

journal of endocrinological investigation

v16

p384

Publication and Content Type

ref (subject category)

art (subject category)