Hypothyroidism May Cause PCOS

PCOS and thyroid are the two common endocrine disorders which have similar features but considered as different conditions. 

First of all I would to like tell you about polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and thyroid one by one. What it is and what are the common symptoms?

What is PCOS?

PCOS is a condition which is caused by the presence of excessive amount of male hormone called androgen in women. Usually woman’s body produce this male hormone but when the level is increased due to the excessive amount of insulin then woman’s sex hormones like progesterone and estrogen are increased and this results in ovaries cysts which are grown on the ovaries. This lead to irregular periods and with this problem you will be not able to get pregnant.

What is Thyroid?

Thyroid is like a butterfly shape which is located at the base of your throat. The function of thyroid gland is to regulate the flow rate in which food is converted for energy, control metabolism and other systems. Thyroid problem is divided into two types – one is hyperthryroid and second one is hypothyroid. 

In hyperthyroid, it is working too fast and speed up your metabolism. If it is working in slow motion then it turn to slow down your metabolism and this lead to hypothyroid. 

A thyroid patient always has weight gain or weight loss problems. It can also affect your periods and thus you get difficulty in pregnancy which cause fertility problem. 

PCOS and Thyroid Disorders

In some woman with PCOS it is reported that they have two common types of thyroid named hypothyroidism and autoimmune. Hypothyroidism may cause ovarian cyst (PCOS) and insulin resistance problem. This problem increases the testosterone and decreases the level of sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG). Hence reduce the metabolic clearance of androstenedione and conversion rate of converting androstenedione to testosterone and estradiol are increased.

Why PCOS & Thyroid Disease Together?

Do you know what endocrine system is? Endocrine system is the main part of the body which plays a key role in monitoring the state of mind, functions of tissues and bones, heartbeat, growth and development, sexual and reproductive process. The main function of endocrine is to control the growth disorders, diabetes, thyroid disease, sexual dysfunction, polycystic ovary syndrome and other hormone related disease.

A woman face two common problems like thyroid and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) which are counted as the most common endocrine disorders. Both problems share similar characteristic. The only difference is the cause of these diseases. Both ailments are caused due to different conditions.

In some cases of hypothyroidism, the level of sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) is decreased and it leads to increase testosterone, androgen, and estradiol and hence reduced the metabolic clearance of androstenedione. Due to increase in the level of androgen which is called male hormone, it can result in other endocrine disorder named PCOS. 

How the PCOS and thyroid problem has been seen together in some women? Thyroid hormone in excess may cause high blood sugar and insulin resistance. Excessive amount of insulin may cause the levels of androgen in large amount. This result in the levels of the sex hormones estrogen and progesterone increased to a greater extent. This may cause PCOS problem.

Treatment for Hypothyroid & PCOS

There is no any treatment for curing hypothyroidism, but it can be treated with synthetic thyroxine pills which replace the missing thyroid hormone. PCOS can be treated with the help of ovary induction but it cannot be fully cured. But it can be treated without medicines.