Serum Cortisol in:  1.	women with polycystic ovary syndrome 2.	women with premature ovarian failure

Saeed Al-Chalabi, Sajeda

	Serum Cortisol in: 1. women with polycystic ovary syndrome 2. women with premature ovarian failure
Medical Journal of Tikrit
Article 1, Volume 19, Issue 2, 2013, Pages 369-379
Author
Sajeda Saeed Al-Chalabi
Abstract
Background: Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is the most common endocrine disorders affecting 4-8% of women of reproductive age. Studies on basal & stimulated serum cortisol concentration are conflicting, unchanged, decreased or increased levels are reported. Premature ovarian failure (POF) is defined by the association of amenorrhea, sex steroid deficiency and elevated levels of serum gonadotropins before the age of 40 years. Objective: the aim of this study is to: 1.compare serum cortisol levels of patients with PCOS & POF with controls. 2. Compare serum levels of FSH, LH, PRL, testosterone, T3,T4,TSH in patients with PCOS& POF with controls. 3. Find the number and % of PCOS & POF women having low serum T3 & to compare serum cortisol, gonadotropins, & testosterone in PCOS women having low thyroid hormones with the control subjects. Patients & Methods: Fifty seven women with PCOS, their mean age was 34.2 yr, thirty women with POF, their mean age was 32.7 yr, fifty eight women, their mean age was 32 yr as controls were included in the study from Al-Batoul Teaching Hospital in Mosul( May-July 2013). After obtaining a consent, all subjects were examined clinically, blood samples were obtained for the measurement of serum morning& afternoon cortisol, serum FSH, LH, PRL, testosterone, T3,T4,TSH using ELFA. Results: the mean serum morning cortisol concentration in women with PCOS& POF was within normal although they were significantly lower than in controls. Serum testosterone was significantly higher in PCOS women & lower in POF women as compared to controls. Serum FSH was significantly higher in POF women while serum prolactin was higher in PCOS& POF women as compared to controls. Thirteen PCOS women (56.52%), ten POF women (43.48%) have low thyroid function. A significant increase in serum LH, PRL, & testosterone while a decrease in serum FSH was noted in PCOS women with low thyroid function as compared to controls. Concerning serum cortisol, there was no difference between PCOS women & controls. Conclusion: Serum morning cortisol concentration was within normal in PCOS & POF women. PCOS women with low thyroid function have altered hormonal function & further studies might be needed to confirm the relationship between ovary & thyroid functions.

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