The effects of hormone replacement therapy on plasma vitamin E levels in post-menopausal women.
OBJECTIVE
To measure vitamin E levels in post-menopausal women before and after HRT, compared with levels in premenopausal women.


METHODS
Post-menopausal women (n = 21) had plasma vitamin E levels measured before treatment and after 6 and 12 months treatment with HRT (2 mg 17-beta-oestradiol and 1 mg norethisterone acetate). The pre-menopausal group (n = 20) had plasma vitamin E levels measured at day 15-18 of the menstrual cycle.


RESULTS
There was no significant difference in vitamin E levels between the pre-menopausal group and the post-menopausal group. Plasma vitamin E levels were not significantly altered by 12 months HRT.


CONCLUSIONS
Post-menopausal women did not have altered levels of vitamin E compared with pre-menopausal women. Similarly HRT has no effect on plasma vitamin E levels. We conclude therefore that HRT does not reduce vitamin E levels in a similar manner to oral contraceptives and consequently post-menopausal women are unlikely to need a vitamin E supplement.
Wu
J
J
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Trinity College Centre for the Health Sciences, Coombe Women's Hospital, Dublin, Ireland.
Norris
L A
LA
Wen
Y C
YC
Sheppard
B L
BL
Feely
J
J
Bonnar
J
J
D000328:Adult; D015914:Estrogen Replacement Therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D017698:Postmenopause / Q000097:blood*; D017697:Premenopause / Q000097:blood*; D013997:Time Factors; D014810:Vitamin E / Q000097:blood*
D014810:Vitamin E