Autoimmune Processes and Chronic Inflammation as Independent Risk Factors for Metabolic Complications in Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

The presence of elevated serum concentrations of thyroid autoantibodies in euthyroid women with PCOS increases the risk of obesity and metabolic consequences. It is observed even in euthyroid and non-obese individuals. Consequently, the cardiovascular risk in these women may be higher than in PCOS women without elevated thyroid autoantibodies. It is important to assess thyroid autoantibodies in all women with PCOS. In euthyroid PCOS women with co-occurrence of elevated serum levels of thyroid autoantibodies, it is crucial to pay more attention to maintaining an appropriate body mass index. There is an urgent need for further studies in large groups of women assessing the impact of elevated thyroid autoantibodies alone on metabolic outcomes in euthyroid women with PCOS to confirm and clarify the results.