SUB-50 ORAL-CONTRACEPTIVES AFFECT FOLATE KINETICS

The effects of long-term use of oral contraceptives containing less th an 50 mug of estrogen (sub-50 OCs) on the kinetics of folic acid monog lutamate, vitamin B-12 levels, and iron status have been studied in 29 OC users (Marvelon(R)) and in 13 women without OC use serving as cont rols. At 210 min after oral folate loading the median serum folate con centration was significantly lower in OC users when compared to the co ntrol group. OC users showed significantly higher total iron binding c apacity and significantly lower serum vitamin B-12 concentrations. Thi s data demonstrates that sub-50 OCs significantly affect folate kineti cs and vitamin B-12 levels. However, the folate and vitamin B-12 statu s does not seem to be at risk.