Best Treatment for Women With Both (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome) PCOS and Subclinical Hypothyroidism

Muhamed Ahmed Abdelmoaty Muhamed Alhagrasy

Status: Enrolling

Conditions: Female Infertility; PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome) of Bilateral Ovaries; Subclinical Hypothyroidism

Treatments: Drug: Letrozole 2.5mg; Drug: Levothyroxine 25 Mcg (0.025 Mg) Oral Tablet

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT06041204

Gyne2021

Details and patient eligibility

About

The goal of this randomized controlled trial is to compare letrozole alone versus letrozole plus levothyroxine for ovulation induction in infertile women with both PCOS and subclinical hypothyroidism. The main questions it aims to answer are:

Is letrozole plus levothyroxine superior to letrozole alone in achieving ovulation in these patients? Does combining levothyroxine with letrozole lead to higher pregnancy and live birth rates compared to letrozole alone?

Participants will be randomized into two groups:

Group 1 will receive letrozole only, starting at 2.5 mg daily from day 3 to 7 of the menstrual cycle. The dose will be increased up to 7.5 mg if no ovulation occurs, for a maximum treatment period of 6 months or until pregnancy is achieved.

Group 2 will receive letrozole at the same doses as group 1 plus 25 mcg levothyroxine daily.

Enrollment: 200 estimated patients

Sex: Female

Ages: 20 to 40 years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

Age between 20-40 years

BMI between 18-35 kg/m2

Meet diagnostic criteria for PCOS based on the Rotterdam consensus criteria and ESHRE/ASRM modifications (2018):

Oligo- and/or anovulation Clinical and/or biochemical signs of hyperandrogenism Polycystic ovaries on ultrasound

Subclinical hypothyroidism defined as TSH level between 5-10 mIU/L with normal free T4

Infertility duration ≥ 1 year

Intact ovaries and uterus, confirmed by physical exam and imaging

Normal semen analysis in male partner

No tubal or peritoneal factor contributing to infertility

Effective contraception if not attempting conception

Willing and able to provide informed consent

Exclusion criteria

Known thyroid disease or on thyroid medications

Abnormal thyroid function tests other than subclinical hypothyroidism

Hyperprolactinemia

Presence of other causes of infertility such as:

Moderate to severe male factor infertility Bilateral tubal occlusion or peritoneal factors Stage III-IV endometriosis Ovarian failure or insufficiency (high FSH or low AMH)

Previous diagnosis of any type of congenital adrenal hyperplasia

Uncontrolled diabetes (HbA1C >8%)

History of deep vein thrombosis or thromboembolic events

Any contraindication to letrozole or levothyroxine

Previous use of letrozole or levothyroxine in past 6 months

Current or suspected pregnancy

Breastfeeding

Inability to comply with treatment and follow-up procedures

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Single Blind

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200 participants in 2 patient groups

Letrozole Group

Active Comparator group

Description:

Participants randomized to letrozole group will take 5mg tablets orally daily for 5 days starting on day 3 of cycle. Dose can be adjusted up to 7.5mg based on ovulation response, maintained for subsequent cycles. Treatment continues for up to 6 ovulatory cycles or until pregnancy occurs. Ovulation assessed by follicular monitoring and progesterone. Compliance monitored by pill counts and diary. Routine antenatal care if pregnant. Adverse effects monitored per guidelines. Participants followed for multiple pregnancies. Tablets taken at same time each day. Maximum treatment period is 6 months.

Treatment:

Drug: Letrozole 2.5mg

Letrozole plus levothyroxine

Experimental group

Description:

Participants randomized to this group will take letrozole tablets at same dose and schedule as letrozole only group. In addition, they will take levothyroxine tablets orally once daily. Levothyroxine dose will start at 25mcg and be titrated based on TSH level, with a target TSH in the normal range. Participants will take levothyroxine at approximately same time each day. Letrozole dosing and schedule as described for other group. Treatment continues for up to 6 ovulatory cycles or until pregnancy occurs. Ovulation assessed by follicular monitoring and progesterone. Compliance monitored by pill counts, TSH levels and diary. Routine antenatal care if pregnant. Adverse effects monitored per guidelines. Participants followed for multiple pregnancies. Maximum treatment period is 6 months.

Treatment:

Drug: Levothyroxine 25 Mcg (0.025 Mg) Oral Tablet

Drug: Letrozole 2.5mg