Effects of oral raloxifene on serum estradiol levels and other markers of estrogenicity.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the effects of raloxifene hydrochloride, 60 mg/d, on serum levels of E(2), estrone, sex steroid-binding globulin, thyroxine-binding globulin, and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) in postmenopausal women.


METHODS
Randomized placebo-controlled study at 16 centers in the United States.


METHODS
Ninety three women 42 to 80 years of age who were at least 2 years postmenopausal.


METHODS
Raloxifene (n = 47) or placebo (n = 46) for 3 months.


METHODS
Levels of E(2), estrone, sex steroid-binding globulin, thyroxine-binding globulin, and FSH were measured at baseline and after 3 months of therapy.


RESULTS
Raloxifene increased serum levels of sex steroid-binding globulin and thyroxine-binding globulin and decreased FSH levels compared with placebo. Levels of E(2) and estrone were unaffected.


CONCLUSIONS
In postmenopausal women, raloxifene (60 mg/d) did not increase serum estrogen levels; however, it increased levels of sex steroid-binding globulin and thyroxine-binding globulin and decreased FSH levels.
Reindollar
Richard
R
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Inc, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
Koltun
William
W
Parsons
Anna
A
Rosen
Amy
A
Siddhanti
Suresh
S
Plouffe
Leo
L
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D004958:Estradiol / Q000097:blood*; D004970:Estrone / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010919:Placebos; D017698:Postmenopause / Q000097:blood*; D020849:Raloxifene Hydrochloride / Q000494:pharmacology*; D020845:Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012738:Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin / Q000378:metabolism; D013975:Thyroxine-Binding Proteins / Q000378:metabolism
D010919:Placebos; D020845:Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators; D012738:Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin; D013975:Thyroxine-Binding Proteins; D004970:Estrone; D020849:Raloxifene Hydrochloride; D004958:Estradiol; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone