Features of the hormonal profile in obese reproductive-age women

Abstract

Aim. To assess the hormonal profile features in obese reproductive-age women. Materials and Methods. We consecutively enrolled 163 women of reproductive age (140 women with body mass index ≥ 30 kg/m2 and 23 women with normal body mass index) who have been admitted to Podgorbunskiy Regional Emergency Medicine Hospital. All patients of both groups underwent general and gynecological examination. Serum levels of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), prolactin, estradiol, estrone, testosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate, thyroid-stimulating hormone, free triiodothyronine, total and free thyroxine, cortisol, leptin, immunoreactive insulin, and progesterone were assessed on days 5-6 and 21-22 of the menstrual cycle. Results. Obese women of reproductive age were characterised by higher values of LH, LH/ FSH ratio, testosterone, estradiol, estrone, leptin, IRI and by lower levels of FSH and progesterone compared with normal weight women. A direct correlation was found between the level of leptin and estrone (r = 0.21, p = 0.014), insulin resistance (r = 0.18, p = 0.039), triglycerides (r = 0.20, p = 0.030), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (r = 0.22, p = 0.016). There was a statistically significant inverse correlation between the level of leptin and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (r = -0.18, p = 0.043). A direct correlation was established between insulin and LH (r = 0.24, p = 0.030), testosterone (r = 0.32, p = 0.037), dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (r = 0.56, p = 0.003), insulin resistance (r = 0.95, p < 0.001), cholesterol (r = 0.20, p = 0.024), triglycerides (r = 0.29, p < 0.001). Conclusion. Obese women of reproductive age have certain hormonal features that underlie menstrual and reproductive disorders in these patients.