Last week I said that we weren’t sure if treating PCOS with vitamin D would have a therapeutic outcome. Here is a study to suggest that we can.
Vitamin D Therapy for Glucose Metabolism and Menstrual Frequency in PCOS
Fifty-seven women with PCOS received 20 000 IU of cholecalciferol weekly for 24 weeks. Anthropomorphic, oral glucose tolerance and serum endocrine markers measurements were taken at baseline, 12 weeks and the endpoint of 24 weeks. Hydroxyvitamin D (25[OH)]D) was significantly increased from 28.0±11.0 ng/mL to 52.4±21.5 ng/mL at 12 weeks. Fasting and stimulated glucose levels were significantly decreased at 6 weeks and C-peptide levels at 6 and 12 weeks. Triglyceride and estradiol levels were significantly decreased at 6 and 12 weeks. Total cholesterol and LDL levels significantly increased at study end. Androgen levels were unchanged. Of the 46 women who finished the study, 14 had been previously affected by menstrual disturbances and at week 12, 30.4% of them reported an improvement in menstrual frequency. 50% of women who were oligo- or amenorrhoeic reported improvement at the study endpoint.
J Endocrinol Invest. 2011 May 24. [Epub ahead of print]
