Elevated Luteinizing Hormone, Testosterone and Free Triiodothyronine with Increase in Body Mass Index in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

Abstract

Background: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common endocrine disorder among women in the reproductive age group. The association of testosterone, luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and thyroid hormones in obese PCOS women are not clear. Hence, the present study was performed to assess the serum levels of gonadotrophins, testosterone and thyroid hormones in obese and nonobese PCOS women. Materials and methods: Sixty-three patients (41 obese and 22 nonobese) with PCOS were recruited for the study. Serum levels of testosterone, LH, FSH, thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), free thyroxine (free T4) and free triiodothyronine (free T 3 ) levels were measured. Results: Serum LH (p = 0.040), testosterone (p = 0.010) and free triiodothyronine (p = 0.006) levels were significantly elevated in obese PCOS women as compared to non-obese PCOS women. Both LH (r = 0.478, p = 0.002) and free T3 (r = 0.379, p = 0.036) were correlating positively with body mass index (BMI) in obese PCOS subjects. Testosterone was positively associated with duration of infertility in obese PCOS women (R 2 = 0.187, β = 0.433, p = 0.005) Conclusion: We conclude that LH, testosterone and free T3 levels are increased with increase in BMI among women with PCOS.