LIVER-METABOLISM DURING TREATMENT WITH ESTRADIOL AND NATURAL PROGESTERONE

Serum concentrations of sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), corticost eroid binding globulin (CBG), ceruloplasmin, lipoprotein A and liver e nzymes were measured in 30 postmenopausal women treated with 2 mg micr onized 17beta-estradiol daily and micronized progesterone orally in do ses of 50, 100 and 200 mg daily, as progestogen supplementation. The t reatment lasted for 4 months. The serum levels of SHBG and CBG increas ed during treatment and a weak association between progesterone dosage and CBG was observed. Levels of lipoprotein A and liver enzymes did n ot change. It is concluded that micronized natural progesterone is an attractive means of progestogen supplementation in postmenopausal horm one replacement therapy without any liver-related side-effects.