FREQUENCY AND CLINICAL CORRELATES OF THYROID DYSFUNCTION AND HYPERPROLACTINEMIA AMONG WOMEN EVALUATED FOR POLYCYSTIC OVARY SYNDROME: A RETROSPECTIVE STUDY

Abstract

Background: Polycystic ovary syndrome is a common endocrine disorder in women of reproductive age, but thyroid dysfunction and hyperprolactinemia may mimic or coexist with its clinical features and complicate diagnosis. Objective: To determine the frequency and clinical correlates of thyroid dysfunction and hyperprolactinemia among women evaluated for polycystic ovary syndrome. Methods: This cross-sectional analytical study was conducted at Fatima Memorial Hospital Lahore from March 2023 to March 2026, included 249 women undergoing evaluation for suspected PCOS. Demographic, anthropometric, reproductive, and clinical data were recorded. Thyroid function and serum prolactin levels were assessed, and participants were classified according to thyroid and prolactin status. Results: The mean age of participants was 27.8 ± 5.9 years and mean BMI was 27.6 ± 4.8 kg/m². Thyroid dysfunction was present in 58 (23.3%) women, including subclinical hypothyroidism in 37 (14.9%), overt hypothyroidism in 14 (5.6%), and hyperthyroidism in 7 (2.8%). Hyperprolactinemia was detected in 37 (14.9%), while 14 (5.6%) had both abnormalities. Thyroid dysfunction was independently associated with age ≥30 years (aOR 1.81, 95% CI: 1.01–3.24), overweight/obesity (aOR 2.03, 95% CI: 1.08–3.82), infertility (aOR 1.92, 95% CI: 1.05–3.50), and weight gain (aOR 1.87, 95% CI: 1.01–3.45). Hyperprolactinemia was independently associated with amenorrhea (aOR 2.71, 95% CI: 1.27–5.78), infertility (aOR 2.26, 95% CI: 1.10–4.65), and menstrual irregularity (aOR 2.84, 95% CI: 1.02–7.89). Conclusion: Thyroid dysfunction and hyperprolactinemia were relatively common among women evaluated for PCOS. Subclinical hypothyroidism was the predominant thyroid abnormality, while hyperprolactinemia was mainly associated with menstrual disturbance and infertility.