Iron indices are higher in women with polycystic ovary syndrome than healthy control

Abstract EN

Background : The prevalence of the metabolic syndrome in Poly Cystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is approximately 43-47 %, a rate 2-fold higher than that for women in the general population.

The pathogenic link between the metabolic syndrome and PCOS is most likely insulin resistance that present in obese and non obese women.

Increased body iron stores are associated with insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes.

The aim of the present study is to evaluate the iron status parameters in PCOS patients as a possible cause of the associated features of PCOS. Patients and methods: 48 patients with PCOS diagnosed according to the Rotterdam revised consensus meeting in 2003 with matched control of 37 apparently healthy women were examined.

Blood were aspirated from individuals in the morning and serum iron, total iron binding capacity TIBC, serum ferritin, estimated total iron body stores (ETIBS), Transferrrin, and Transferrrin saturation percentage (TSP) were determined. Result : There is a significant difference (p < 0.05) in all iron indices of PCOS patients in comparing with healthy control group.

All parameters are increased in PCOS patients except TIBC which decrease in these patients in comparing with healthy control group. there is no or very small correlation between ETIBS and each serum index in PCOS patients while there is a small positive correlation in ETIBS in comparing with both serum iron and TIBC. Conclusion : In addition to the laboratory tests that should be measured in PCOS women including lipid profile and fasting serum glucose (51), this study suggests estimation of serum ferittin as a possible important tool in the follow up of routine care.