Body Iron Stores Are Increased in Overweight and Obese Women With Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

• Published in: Diabetes care Vol. 28; no. 8; pp. 2042 - 2044
• Main Authors: Escobar-Morreale, Héctor F, Luque-Ramírez, Manuel, Álvarez-Blasco, Francisco, Botella-Carretero, José I, Sancho, José, San Millán, José L
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Alexandria, VA American Diabetes Association 01-08-2005
• Subjects: Biological and medical sciences; Blood Glucose - metabolism; Diabetes; Diabetes. Impaired glucose tolerance; Endocrine pancreas. Apud cells (diseases); Endocrinopathies; Female; Ferritin; Ferritins - metabolism; Glucose Clamp Technique; Glucose intolerance; Health aspects; Humans; Hyperandrogenism - blood; Hyperandrogenism - physiopathology; Insulin; Iron - blood; Iron - metabolism; Measurement; Medical sciences; Metabolic diseases; Obesity; Obesity - blood; Obesity - metabolism; Polycystic Ovary Syndrome - blood; Polycystic Ovary Syndrome - metabolism; Reproductive system; Risk factors; Stein-Leventhal syndrome; Thinness; Weight Gain; Women; Spain; Human; Obesity; Nutrition disorder; Female sterility; Iron; Polycystic ovary; Female genital diseases; Overweight; Ovarian diseases; Cyst; Adult; Female; Benign neoplasm; Nutritional status
• ISSN: 0149-5992; 1935-5548
• DOI: 10.2337/diacare.28.8.2042

Given that insulin resistance and an increased risk of type 2 diabetes are frequent in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), Escobar-Morreale et al hypothesize that body iron stores might be especially increased in these women. Results suggest for the first time that increased body iron stores, expressed as increased serum ferritin concentrations, are present in overweight and obese women with PCOS but not in lean patients. These increased iron stores might contribute to the insulin resistance and beta-cell dysfunction frequently found in PCOS patients, as has been proposed for insulin resistance, the metabolic syndrome, and type 2 diabetes.