Role of Decreased Circulating Hepcidin Concentrations in the Iron Excess of Women with the Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

Abstract

Patients with PCOS had reduced serum hepcidin concentrations that might contribute to their iron overload by favoring the intestinal absorption of iron. The imbalance between increased iron stores and reduced hepcidin levels was related to the insulin resistance and androgen excess characteristic of this syndrome.