title: A longitudinal study on cortisol, prolactin and thyroid hormones in users of Norplant subdermal implants or a copper T device.
abstract: A longitudinal study was undertaken to assess PRL, cortisol, TSH, T3 and T4 levels in NORPLANT implant users (n = 22) and Copper T users (n = 20). Participants were healthy women with no contraindication for hormonal contraception. Samples were drawn at 0930 to 1000 h twice pretreatment and at month 2, 4, 6, 12, 24 and 36 after insertion. At the second treatment month, a second sample was obtained at 1600 h to assess cortisol diurnal variation. Hormones were measured by RIA. Values for all hormones were similar in Norplant and Copper T users. No significant changes occurred throughout the study period. Elevated PRL levels (greater than 500 mU/1) were found in three women from each group before and during treatment but no clinical evidence of hyperprolactinemia was detected. The results of this study reassure that long-term use of NORPLANT implants do not impair plasma levels of cortisol, prolactin and thyroid hormones.
authors.affiliation: Instituto Chileno de Medicina Reproductiva, Santiago.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Díaz
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pavez
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Brandeis
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Cárdenas
authors.forename: H B
authors.initials: HB
authors.lastname: Croxatto
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003271:Contraceptive Agents, Female / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004343:Drug Implants; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood*; D007435:Intrauterine Devices, Copper / Q000009:adverse effects; D016912:Levonorgestrel; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D009644:Norgestrel / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011388:Prolactin / Q000097:blood*; D013963:Thyroid Hormones / Q000097:blood*; D013972:Thyrotropin / Q000097:blood; D013974:Thyroxine / Q000097:blood; D014284:Triiodothyronine / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D003271:Contraceptive Agents, Female; D004343:Drug Implants; D013963:Thyroid Hormones; D014284:Triiodothyronine; D009644:Norgestrel; D016912:Levonorgestrel; D011388:Prolactin; D013972:Thyrotropin; D013974:Thyroxine; D006854:Hydrocortisone