Exogenous Ketone Ester in Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) affects 5-18% of women and is characterized by the presence of two of three of the Rotterdam criteria: Hyperandrogenism (clinical or biochemical), irregular menstrual cycles, and polycystic ovary morphology, after exclusion of other conditions that mimic PCOS. PCOS is associated with elevated levels of luteinizing hormone (LH) and unaltered levels of the follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), which leads to the characteristic hyperandrogenism (high levels of testosterone), oligo- or anovulation, and a large number of premature follicles in the ovarian. Insulin resistance causes hyperinsulinemia that decreases sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) levels and stimulates androgen production (e.g., elevated concentrations of testosterone). Ketogenic diets are characterized by a diet low in carbohydrates, and has shown beneficial effects on weight and hormonal status in women with PCOS. Whether these improvements are mediated by ketones (e.g., 3-hydroxybutyrate, 3-OHB) or other effects related to this diet is unknown. The main purpose of this study is to investigate whether a 3-OHB supplement acutely improves the hormonal and metabolic status in women with PCOS.

Inclusion criteria

• PCOS diagnosis
• age >18 years

Exclusion criteria

• Medications affecting sex hormones (e.g. contraceptives, dopamine agonists, etc) or glucose metabolism (e.g. saxenda).
• Anemia (Hgb < 6.0 mM)
• Practicing ketogenic diets (e.g., low-carb diet, fasting regimes)
• Inability to understand Danish or English
• Diabetes
• Ongoing cancer or other acute/chronic serious diseases (PI will determine)