PCOS and Hashimoto’s are common hormonal conditions that millions of women live with. In fact, the latest research shows that if you have PCOS, the chance that you will also develop Hashimoto’s is greater than if you did not have PCOS. That may seem scary, but rest assured that it is possible to manage both conditions simultaneously to achieve a greater sense of overall well-being.
With all of that in mind, here is a deeper look into the relationship between PCOS and Hashimoto’s, and how to mitigate the risk for Hashimoto’s if you are managing PCOS.
What Is PCOS?
Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is a condition in which your ovaries produce abnormally high amounts of male hormones known as androgens. High levels of androgens may cause the ovaries to develop cysts, and can also trigger many other symptoms, such as acne, weight gain, and irregular periods. Treatments for PCOS target balancing hormones and practicing healthy behaviors to diminish symptoms.
What Is Hashimoto’s?
Hashimoto’s refers to Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. It is an autoimmune disorder in which the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks the cells in the thyroid gland that produce hormones. When PCOS and Hashimoto’s are both present, they can further complicate already difficult scenarios involving hormone imbalance and promote risk factors for many complications such as heart disease, mental health problems, and infertility. PCOS and Hashimoto’s also can lead to enlarged ovaries, ovarian cysts, and exacerbate risk of insulin resistance and type two diabetes. In some cases, women actually have Hashimoto’s and PCOS symptoms at the same time. This overlap of conditions can make diagnosis and treatment difficult.
How Common Is It To Have Both Conditions?
A 2023 study in Frontiers in Endocrinology found that the prevalence of Hashimoto’s is 22.8% in women with PCOS, and 5.7% in women without PCOS.
A 2015 study in Endocrine Research reports that Hashimoto’s affects 22.1% of women with PCOS, and 5% of women without PCOS.
In yet another study published in Endocrine Connections, researchers found that women with PCOS are more than twice as likely to develop thyroid conditions like Hashimoto’s compared with women in the same age group without PCOS.
What’s the Connection Between PCOS and Hashimoto’s?
Many of the symptoms of PCOS and Hashimoto’s overlap, including factors like weight gain, fertility cases, and brain fog. They are similar in regards to inflammation as well.
In the case of Hashimoto’s, similar to other autoimmune conditions, the immune system attacks the thyroid gland by mistake. This promotes inflammation and reduced thyroid hormone production. PCOS causes inflammation too, although for different reasons. In PCOS, inflammation is primarily driven and exacerbated by hormones, and metabolic issues.
The combined inflammatory mechanism and energy level maintenance reminds us about the hypothyroid and PCOS connection, where both conditions can worsen each other and create new health issues. Infertility is another strong link between PCOS and Hashimoto’s. Low production of thyroid hormones can interfere with ovulation and menstrual cycles to reduce fertility, as can low estrogen and higher amounts of androgens in PCOS.
Steps To Consider When You Have PCOS
If you have PCOS, being aware of its connection to Hashimoto’s thyroiditis can help you mitigate your risk.
Diet
Given how inflammation is present in both conditions, implementing an anti-inflammatory diet is a good first step to take. Eat fewer inflammatory foods such as pastries, fried foods, and processed meats, and eat higher amounts of vegetables, leafy greens, and berries.
Several diets can help with PCOS hypothyroidism management, including the ketogenic diet, autoimmune protocol (AIP) diet, and intermittent fasting. A functional medicine doctor can recommend the best approach for you based on your condition.
Thyroid Test
Having your thyroid hormones checked regularly can help your provider catch comorbid conditions like Hashimoto’s in its early stages. A functional medicine doctor can conduct a full thyroid panel and other lab tests that reveal whether PCOS, hypothyroidism, or another issue is causing your symptoms.
Regular exercise, stress management, herbal supplementation, and reducing exposure to environmental toxins are other steps you can take to manage PCOS and/or Hashimoto’s and reduce your risk.
Final Thoughts
Given the complexity of PCOS and Hashimoto’s, it’s important to work with a holistic functional medicine doctor who can identify the root causes of your Hashimoto’s and PCOS symptoms and properly treat both conditions.
Dr. Mahtani, our holistic doctor in Charlotte, NC, can help you manage PCOS and reduce your risk for Hashimoto’s. Contact South Park Functional Medicine at 980-414-4600 or email us at reception@southparkfm.com to request a consultation. We can help you take charge of your health and achieve greater wellness.
