Thyroid-stimulating Hormone and Insulin Resistance: Their Association with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome without Overt Hypothyroidism

Abstract

Objective This study analyzed the effectiveness of the thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) as a predictor of insulin resistance (IR) and its association with the clinical and metabolic parameters of women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) without overt hypothyroidism.

Study Design A cross-sectional study was performed. Women with PCOS and without overt hypothyroidism (n = 168) were included.

Methods Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to determine the cut-off point for TSH that would maximize sensitivity and specificity for a diagnosis of IR using homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) ≥ 2.71. Clinical and metabolic parameters were compared as a function of the TSH cut-off limit and the presence of IR.

Results Thyroid-stimulating hormone ≥ 2.77 mIU/L was associated with a diagnosis of IR, with sensitivity of 47.9% and specificity of 65.3%. There were no differences in clinical, hormonal or metabolic parameters between TSH < 2.77 and TSH of 2.77 – 10 mIU/L.

Conclusion In women with PCOS without overt hypothyroidism, TSH ≥ 2.77 mIU/L is associated with IR; however, with poor sensibility, showing TSH to be a poor predictor of IR in this population. No clinical or metabolic alterations were found that would justify a change in clinical management. Thus, the IR should be investigated in all women with PCOS irrespective of TSH level.

Resumo

Objetivo Este estudo analisou a efetividade do hormônio tireoestimulante (TSH) como preditor da resistência insulínica (IR), bem como a associação do TSH com os parâmetros clínicos e metabólicos de mulheres com síndrome do ovário policístico (PCOS) sem hipotireoidismo clínico.

Desenho do Estudo Estudo de corte transversal com inclusão de mulheres com PCOS e sem hipotireoidismo clínico (n =168).

Métodos Utilizou-se análise através de curva ROC (Receiver operating characteristic) para determinar o valor de corte para o nível sérico de TSH que poderia maximizar a sensibilidade e especificidade para o diagnóstico de IR considerada com avaliação da homeostase de resistência insulínica (HOMA-IR) ≥ 2.71. Parâmetros clínicos e metabólicos foram comparados de acordo com o ponto de corte de TSH determinado e com a presença de IR.

Resultados Níveis séricos de TSH ≥ 2.77 mIU/L estiveram associados com o diagnóstico de IR, com sensibilidade de 47.9% e especificidade de 65.3%. Não foram evidenciadas diferenças nos parâmetros clínicos, hormonais e metabólicos quando TSH < 2.77 ou TSH de 2.77 – 10 mIU/L.

Conclusão Em mulheres com PCOS sem hipotireoidismo, TSH ≥ 2.77 mIU/L está associado a IR, porém com baixa sensibilidade, mostrando que a dosagem de TSH não é um bom preditor de IR nesta população. Também não se evidenciou alteração clínica ou metabólica que justificasse alteração na investigação desta população. Assim, a resistência insulínica deve ser investigada em todas as mulheres com PCOS, independente dos níveis séricos de TSH.

Keywords

polycystic ovary syndrome - thyroid-stimulating hormone - insulin resistance - hypothyroidism - dyslipidemia

Palavras-chave

síndrome do ovário policístico - hormônio tireoestimulante - resistência insulínica - hipotireoidismo - dislipidemia

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