Metformin decreases thyrotropin in overweight women with polycystic ovarian syndrome and hypothyroidism.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the effect of metformin administration on thyroid function in overweight women with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS).


METHODS
Twenty-seven overweight women with PCOS and hypothyroidism were selected. Fifteen patients (group I) were treated with metformin 1500 mg/day for 6 months and 12 patients (group II) with placebo. Serum thyrotropin (TSH), free T3 and free T4 were measured at baseline and 6 months after the beginning of the study.


RESULTS
A significant decrease (p<0.001) in TSH levels was observed in group I but not in group II subjects after 6 months of metformin treatment. No significant change in free T3 and free T4 was observed throughout the study in any group.


CONCLUSIONS
In obese PCOS patients with primary hypothyroidism, metformin results in a significant fall and sometimes normalisation of TSH, without causing any reciprocal changes in other thyroid function parameters.
Endocrine Research Center, Mashhad Medical University, Iran. taghaviMR@mums.ac.ir
S
S
Morteza Taghavi
Hale
H
Rokni
Sedigheh
S
Fatemi
D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007037:Hypothyroidism / Q000150:complications; D008687:Metformin / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D050177:Overweight / Q000150:complications; D011085:Polycystic Ovary Syndrome / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D013961:Thyroid Gland / Q000187:drug effects*; D013963:Thyroid Hormones / Q000097:blood*
D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents; D013963:Thyroid Hormones; D008687:Metformin