Metabolic Syndrome and PCOS.

 There is considerable overlap between polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and metabolic syndrome. This article reviews the existing data regarding the prevalence, characteristics, and treatment of the metabolic syndrome in women with PCOS. The prevalence of the metabolic syndrome in PCOS is approximately 43-47%, a rate 2-fold higher than that for women in the general population. High body mass index and low serum HDL cholesterol are the most frequently occurring components of the metabolic syndrome in PCOS. The pathogenic link between the two is most likely insulin resistance. Therefore, the presence of the metabolic syndrome in PCOS suggests a greater degree of insulin resistance compared to PCOS without the metabolic syndrome. Obesity, atherogenic dyslipidemia, hypertension, impaired fasting glucose/impaired glucose tolerance, and vascular abnormalities are all common metabolic abnormalities present in PCOS. Lifestyle modification has proven benefit and pharmacological therapy with insulin-sensitizing agents has potential benefit in the treatment of the metabolic syndrome in women with PCOS.

Essah PA, Nestler JE. The metabolic syndrome in polycystic ovary syndrome. J Endocrinol Invest. 2006 Mar;29(3):270-80. doi: 10.1007/BF03345554. PMID: 16682845.

 BHRT can help balance these levels and swing this process in the correct direction.  Oftentimes, by adjusting thyroid levels and promoting strict control over glucose levels and therefore insulin, the abnormalities with PCOS can be reversed as it essentially an effect of long standing insulin resistance which has not yet dipped into the formal diabetes type 2 diagnosis.  Remember, you can fix insulin resistance and BHRT can help make that happen. 

Jason & Rita.